Whats wrong?

[Jillennis]

I have a baby turkey, about a month old, that's not doing well. She has been lethargic. Today she is shivering, even under a heat lamp. It looks like she might have some blood in her poop. She has been in with another turkey and baby chicks. We have sepetated her. Any ideas or suggestions about what we should do for her?

 

[Larryandjulie]

We have 4 turkeys that are 4 weeks old. Yesterday I let them play in the grass. when I put them up one turkey did not want to stand. This morning 2 turkeys and tonight 3 the 4th is running around good so far. The 3 dont seem to be sick they will eat and drink if I put it in front of them. They look like they do not have the strength to stand up not even with my help? I dont know that muck about turkeys we always raised chicks can anyone help? Thanks Larry

 

[ivan3]

, sorry you're having troubles, folks.

Jillennis wrote: I have a baby turkey, about a month old, that's not doing well. She has been lethargic. Today she is shivering, even under a heat lamp. It looks like she might have some blood in her poop. She has been in with another turkey and baby chicks. We have sepetated her. Any ideas or suggestions about what we should do for her?

Blood, if this is a one time event - not every poop? could merely be from tear in intestinal lining from something rough that got past the gizzard or, it could be Cocciodosis, etc. Have they been out on the ground, yet? Are you feeding all the birds medicated chick starter? Anything else? Try to get poult to eat some meal worms and monitor fluid intake (if not drinking enough the dehydration kills quickly). Try giving some Pedialyte (electrolytes) with an eyedropper if not drinking.

Larryandjulie wrote: We have 4 turkeys that are 4 weeks old. Yesterday I let them play in the grass. when I put them up one turkey did not want to stand. This morning 2 turkeys and tonight 3 the 4th is running around good so far. The 3 dont seem to be sick they will eat and drink if I put it in front of them. They look like they do not have the strength to stand up not even with my help? I dont know that muck about turkeys we always raised chicks can anyone help? Thanks Larry

Was this their first trip out-of-doors? Grass wet or damp, outside temp. was? If not something in the area they were in outside (toxin of some sort), the first thing that comes to mind is exposure. Are they on Gamebird Starter? Try to get them to eat some meal worms/moths/grasshoppers (protein that is hard for them to resist). Make sure they are drinking their water. Any changes in droppings?

 

[Larryandjulie]

Yes this was there first time out side. The ground was dry and warm and it was warm out all day. All that was out there was short grass. They are on game bird food. I will get some meal worms for them. They are eating and drinking great but I have to put it close to them. no change in droppings yet. I will have to wait and see I guess. Thanks

 

[ivan3]

Larryandjulie wrote: Yes this was there first time out side. The ground was dry and warm and it was warm out all day. All that was out there was short grass. They are on game bird food

Sorry I didn't ask, before, but what variety of turkeys are these? 4 weeks is a little old for exposure (brooder/cage temp. 25-30° over outside temps could impact partially feathered out Broad Breasted more than Heritage varieties - have seen this happen in BB's - increasing weakness in legs following rapid lowering of temp in 2 wk. olds).

When you pick up the affected poults do tthey move their legs, attempt to grip your fingers with their toes?

 

[Larryandjulie]

They are the bronze broad breasted. I dont know the temp inside or out it was warm and they run around and had a blast. It was cooler out side then it would have been under the heat lamp. They do try to use there legs when I pick them up but they will not put there weight on them at all. I bought antibiotic for turkeys ,cows, chickens, pigs, they told me at the store to give this to them in there water for 7 to 14 days they thought it may be cocciodosis. The 3 turkeys do have black diarrhea today one still has no problems. Any thoughts from any turkey people?

 

[Larryandjulie]

Three day ago I went to Orschlens and bought medicated turkey starter and Duramycin-10 tetracyclin hydrochloride soluble powder for drinking water. You have to break it down into the gallons you will need each day on the second day one of my turkeys that would not use its legs was up and walking some but still very week buy the end of that same day two was up. Today all 3 weak and non walking turkeys was up and walking. I made them drink 3 times a day and made sure they was eating the medicated food. I put them by themselves with a heat lamp. The hole thing is very strange only 3 out of 4 turkeys got sick and none of our chickens ever got sick. I have chickens in the same house with the turkeys and baby chicks in our house I give all of them medicated food and water to make sure what ever this was they would all have a chance. Going out side with a temperature change or maybe cocciodosis no one knows but the medication must be working. I will keep them on the medicated water for 14 days and will give them medicated turkey starter until I think they are really strong. If anyone needs to know I put 0.25 ounces of the medicated powder in one gallon of water.

 

[Larryandjulie]

How is your turkeys?