prevention of blackheads disease

TURKEYRUN · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:33 am **Posts:** 5

Hi I was looking for information on prevention of blackheads disease and struck out until the forum came up so here to ask if there is any type of medical prevention I can use to protect my flock?

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

In short the answer is no. Husbandry is about the only way to reduce the incidence. It is my belief that dry environment combined with good all round worming over the entire flock (remembering to change wormer regularly) is a good prevention.

The DPI has this to say about blackhead: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_2733.htm

TURKEYRUN · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:33 am **Posts:** 5

I had a feeling that was going to be the answer. I do worm them 4 times a year but I fear it is still not enough but I hope so. Thanks for that web site address

wickedwings · **Posted:** Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:31 pm

Try this search for blackhead, there are about 70 odd mentions of it. http://www.australianpoultryforum.com/search.php?keywords=blackhead&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

Do you have your turkeys mixed with other poultry or do you just keep turkeys? I have free range turkeys which mix with other poultry, I worm several times each year probably more like 6 and change my wormer at least twice. I raise all my turkeys from poults and never bring in an adult bird from anywhere else.

TURKEYRUN · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:33 am **Posts:** 5

Thanks for all the help offered I will red through the forum

I do have 26 mixed chickens and several guinea fowl also and they come into contact when they are let out during the day so that was my concern. Good point about bring in no adult turkeys I have not but did think about another bronze tom but will settle for a poult I think and play it safe. Thanks again

MARANMAN · **Joined:** Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:06 pm **Posts:** 38

I think you best option has already been pointed out and that is to worm them every 2 months and that way if they don't have worm they don't get blackheads

TURKEYRUN · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:33 am **Posts:** 5

I will be doing that from now on and hope for the best

I would like to thank everyone for your help here this forum is a special place and I will recommend it to everyone

Sebducks · **Joined:** Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:41 pm **Posts:** 812

As well as worming you should continually think of the pens you expect your turkeys to live in. If the pens become wet and stay wet for any period of time and you expect your birds to stand in this ie you have covered pens and no way for the birds to roost as they naturally would, then you will also run into health problems, it might not be blackhead but it will be something, cocci for example.

A dry pen where the turkey can escape from the wet mud/bedding combined with regular (almost too regular) worming of your chicken flock and then your turkeys will result in healthy turkeys.

TURKEYRUN · **Joined:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:33 am **Posts:** 5

I appreciate all your advice thank you very much I will keep that in mind

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