Turkeys

chevron182 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:57 am

I have a problem, I think a couple of my turkeys are sick. They look pretty hunched over and their poo is bright (fluro) yellow and green. I know this is not normal, but what could cause this in their poo? any suggestions would be good as I cant afford a vet.
Cheers guys

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi Chevron182, If your Turkey's are fee range they may have eaten or are eating a plant or weed that may cause this, I have read an article from South Aust and this bloke had a heap of chooks and turkey's that got sick he described their poo as bright yellow, and that they were lethargic, it turns out they were eating a small weed that has little black berries. He locked them up and problem solved. Hope that's all it is in your case :?:

Thanks
Peacocks Australia :lol:

JAVA · **Posted:** Sun Jun 19, 2005 1:13 pm

We've got Turkey's and one of the males looked sick for a while and we put them all on Oxy.b from our local produce store, seemed to work.

Java :twisted:

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Yes Hi Java, as you know we use Oxy B as a Preventative and it works well.

Thanks
Peacocks Australia :lol:

Mrpeewee · **Posted:** Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:52 am

We discovered that they had blackhead, which is a pretty serious parasite. We have been treating them for a few days now and they seem to be fine. I hope it doesnt spread.
Thanks for the help.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi mrpeabody, Pleased to read you've found the problem, can I ask, did you have a Vet Diagnose the Disease?Blackheads Disease(Histomoniasis) to my knowledge is not common in Australia and the last Animal Diseases Paper (University of Nebraska-Lincon) claimed there was no known treatment? I have not experienced this Disease first hand but have read a lot about it. It is a "Turkey" Disease but can infect other birds like Pheasants & Peafowl, but unlikely to infect Chickens. The problem is MANY diseases have Identical symtoms including Avain Flu & Coccidiosis which are both treatable. Have you removed the Infected bird or birds? just as a tip, it is recommended you Sterilize the entire pen and wait at least 2 weeks before puting them back. This should ensure the Blackheads Organisms (Histomonas meleagridis) die without a host.

Good luck

Thanks
Peacocks Australia :lol:

Mrpeewee · **Posted:** Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:34 pm

Yes, I cannot be 100% sure it is blackhead, but the droppings were frothy yellow and like liquid, apparently a classic sign of blackhead. I treated for coccidiosis and blackhead. Apparently if you give flagyl to them it can help them live. So far it has been a week and they are still alive, considering I was told blackhead will normally kill them in the first 48 hours I am impressed. As I said though I have no way of knowing for certain it was blackhead. I am treating all the birds in the same pen as I cannot move them because I have no other pen for them.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi mrpeabody, Yes "Blackheads" from what I've read will kill them Quickly. your treatment is a smart move as treating for coccidiosis will cover a broad spectrum of Diseases.

As a piece of advise try to Sterilize the pen, if you can't move them, maybe try doing half at a time?

Hope all goes well.

Thanks
Peacocks Australia :lol:

snowbald · **Posted:** Wed Jun 22, 2005 9:00 am

Hi Peacock Australia,

As you know I will be building more pens soon and once I empty the current ones I will be doing some maitenence and would also like to sterilize before refilling. How are you sterelizing your pens.

Many thanks,
Snowball

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi Snowball, That's a good move, We use a mixture of 50% water 50% Detol or Similar. Make sure you spray EVERYTHING in the pen including perches and particularly the ground. Leave the pen empty for at least 2 weeks or longer if possible. We do this once a year to ALL pens (including Chickens) as part of our annual Disease and Worm prevention routine, and we have had little issues over the years!

Thanks
Peacocks Australia :lol:

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