Hi,
I hope it is ok to ask about turkeys on this site. I did not see a turkey site and need help. There are 17 turkeys that hang around my house for about 2 years. They come and go. I am an animal freak and feed them corn because I live in Minnesota and stupid white ground cover makes it harder for them to find food. Whether this is good or bad (feeding corn), I am not sure BUT one of the big, male turkeys has been limping for about two weeks. I finally saw him close and can narrow his injury down to his lateral toe on his right leg. The nail is gone for sure and the toe looks very blunted like part of it at a joint might be missing. I have no idea what happened - froze (minnesota) as they all spend a lot of time on one leg warming the other, or fight, or got caught in some brush? I live in an area surrounded by many, many acres of deep woods. If it is frozen and he lost part of it, then I dont know how to help him. He is in a lot of pain and it certainly makes him easy prey for meanies in the woods. At least one other turkey seems to hang out with him all the time so maybe they are protecting him. He eats a lot and very fast and I make sure the corn gets to him - at least I want him to get fed and to have the nutrition to heal if possible (not sure if corn is any good)? Does anyone have any ideas? I know nothing about turkeys - any chance they make food with pain medication in it or antibiotic? I know this foot will get infected and he will lose it either because of the freezing temp or other factors. ANY ideas I would appreciate - it is killing me to see him in pain and not be able to be himself and run etc. My family says to let nature handle it but nature is mean. I cannot get closer than about a foot away so I cant put antibiotic cream or anything - I certainly will try but it is not likely they will let me that close. I took a picture but it is hard to see without enlarging it and I am having trouble doing so. Thank you so much for any help. The turkeys name is Ed.
I hope it is ok to ask about turkeys on this site. I did not see a turkey site and need help. There are 17 turkeys that hang around my house for about 2 years. They come and go. I am an animal freak and feed them corn because I live in Minnesota and stupid white ground cover makes it harder for them to find food. Whether this is good or bad (feeding corn), I am not sure BUT one of the big, male turkeys has been limping for about two weeks. I finally saw him close and can narrow his injury down to his lateral toe on his right leg. The nail is gone for sure and the toe looks very blunted like part of it at a joint might be missing. I have no idea what happened - froze (minnesota) as they all spend a lot of time on one leg warming the other, or fight, or got caught in some brush? I live in an area surrounded by many, many acres of deep woods. If it is frozen and he lost part of it, then I dont know how to help him. He is in a lot of pain and it certainly makes him easy prey for meanies in the woods. At least one other turkey seems to hang out with him all the time so maybe they are protecting him. He eats a lot and very fast and I make sure the corn gets to him - at least I want him to get fed and to have the nutrition to heal if possible (not sure if corn is any good)? Does anyone have any ideas? I know nothing about turkeys - any chance they make food with pain medication in it or antibiotic? I know this foot will get infected and he will lose it either because of the freezing temp or other factors. ANY ideas I would appreciate - it is killing me to see him in pain and not be able to be himself and run etc. My family says to let nature handle it but nature is mean. I cannot get closer than about a foot away so I cant put antibiotic cream or anything - I certainly will try but it is not likely they will let me that close. I took a picture but it is hard to see without enlarging it and I am having trouble doing so. Thank you so much for any help. The turkeys name is Ed.
