Raising turkeys can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with challenges. Like any animal, turkeys can fall ill or die unexpectedly. As a responsible turkey owner, it’s important to monitor your birds closely and watch for any concerning signs. Here are 12 key things to look for to tell if your turkey may be dying.
1. Lethargy and Weakness
One of the most obvious signs of a sick turkey is lethargy and weakness. Healthy turkeys are active and alert. If your turkey is spending more time sitting or lying down and seems to lack energy, it could be in distress. Lethargic turkeys may stop eating and drinking normally as well
2. Ruffled, Messy Feathers
When turkeys feel ill, their feathers can appear ruffled messy and lackluster. The feathers may stick out in odd directions instead of laying smoothly. Sick turkeys also tend to stop preening and caring for their feathers.
3. Weight Loss
Turkeys rely on eating and drinking consistently to maintain their weight. A turkey that loses significant weight rapidly could be ill. Weight loss may stem from digestive issues, parasitic infections, or other health problems. Monitor weights closely to catch concerning drops.
4. Swelling
Pay attention to your turkey’s head region Swelling around the eyes, nose, and sinuses can signal respiratory infections The legs and joints may also become inflamed or swollen due to infections. Any swelling warrants a closer look.
5. Nasal Discharge
Thick mucus discharge coming from the nose is not normal and indicates sickness. The discharge may be clear, yellow, green, or blood-tinged depending on the cause. Frequent sneezing can accompany nasal discharge as well.
6. Diarrhea
Loose, watery droppings point to diarrhea. Diarrhea leads to dehydration and depletes the body of important nutrients. A sick turkey may produce yellow, green, or bloody diarrhea depending on the underlying cause.
7. Labored or Noisy Breathing
Listen closely for any wheezing, gurgling, or rattling sounds as the turkey breathes. These noises signal respiratory distress. The turkey may keep its mouth open to help get air into its lungs.
8. Dull, Sunken Eyes
A turkey near death often develops a glazed, lifeless look in its eyes. The eyes may also appear sunken and dull if the turkey is dehydrated.
9. Pale or Blue Wattle
The wattle on top of the turkey’s beak provides clues about circulation. A healthy wattle looks red. If it turns pale, purple, blue, or gray, the turkey is likely in poor health.
10. Inappetence
Sick turkeys commonly lose their appetite. If your turkey refuses to eat for 12 hours or more, something could be wrong. Lack of appetite leads to malnutrition and starvation.
11. Isolation from the Flock
Turkeys are social creatures that usually stay close to the flock. A turkey isolating itself is unnatural and can signal illness, injury, or extreme stress.
12. Inability to Walk or Stand
When a turkey can no longer support its body weight and move around, it indicates total exhaustion and critical illness. These turkeys may try to drag themselves across the ground using their wings.
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A once common turkey disease in turkeys it is now rare. It is caused by a protozoan parasite in the liver or caeca. It is usually picked up from land that has been previously grazed by chickens. The parasite is in the eggs of the caecum worm passed in the droppings of the chickens.
Turkeys that have access to ground previously used by chickens can pick up the parasite even several years after chickens have left the site.
Symptoms include lethargy, drooping stance, lack of appetite and yellow droppings. Prevention is the best policy, keeping turkeys well away from anywhere that has been in contact with chickens.
Blackhead is likely to kill young birds very quickly, so act at once if it is suspected. An antibiotic can be added to the water and should solve the problem.
This is normally seen in young birds, and results from a protozoan parasite picked up from droppings. Good hygiene is essential in maintaining clean dry litter, as the coccidia oocysts can be brought in on muddy boots. By the same token it is not advisable to run the birds on ground that has been previously stocked by turkeys, or which is particularly wet.
Unusual in small flocks, this is a disease that is soil-borne and can enter through damaged areas of the skin. It is common in sheep and pigs. Symptoms include listlessness; a swollen head, neck, joints and snood and there can be sudden death. This is a zoonotic disease transferable to humans, and the vet should be notified. Treatment is with antibiotics.
This is a dangerous and highly infectious disease that is rare these days and very unlikely to occur in a small-scale enterprise with a good hygiene regime. Symptoms include listlessness, loss of appetite, discharge from the nostrils and diarrhoea, quickly followed by dead birds.
It can be contracted through the drinking water so it is important not only that the turkeys always have fresh water, but that the water containers are always kept clean.
Newcastle Disease (Fowl Pest)
This turkey disease has been practically eliminated from the UK through a nationwide vaccination programme. It can occasionally crop up so it is still advisable to know about it because it is a very serious illness.
Aspergillosis fumigatus fungus is the cause of this disease. It is found in mouldy litter, hay or feed. When the spores are inhaled the fungus grows in the lungs. Young birds are most at risk. Poor brooder and hatchery conditions can cause it, hence the common name of ‘brooder pneumonia’. Humans can also be affected when it is called ‘farmer’s lung’. Symptoms are gasping and rapid breathing. Anti-fungal treatments are available but they are expensive. The best approach is prevention.
Commonly known as bird ‘flu, this is caused by a virus and is normally carried by airborne particles from the respiratory tract, as well as by bird droppings or people carrying it on their feet or equipment. This is why it is a good idea to have a container with antiseptic liquid and a brush for cleaning boots or equipment before entering the turkeys’ area.
Virulent strains such as H5N1 are killers and must be notified to the authorities. If birds start to die, contact the vet immediately. As is the case with all livestock or pets, it is advisable to wash your hands immediately after handling turkeys whether they are healthy or not.
Are My Turkeys Dying??? (Fowl Pox)
FAQ
What would cause a turkey to die?
How do you save a baby turkey from dying?
What is sudden death syndrome in turkeys?
What are the symptoms of coccidiosis in turkeys?
Why are my turkeys dying?
So your turkeys are dying. Why is this happening, and what can be done to prevent it? Baby turkeys often die because they are not getting enough protein, they are too hot or cold (or there is a fluctuation in temperature), there is a lack of shade, they aren’t getting enough water, or because predators get to them.
How do you know if a Turkey is sick?
The systemic disease usually appears in turkeys at 10-12 weeks of age. Lameness is followed by lethargy, reluctance to move, swollen joints, loss of weight, breast blisters, poor growth, variable re-spiratory signs and lesion , and yellow, creamy fluid in swollen joints (hocks, wings, and feet). Chronically i
Do baby turkeys die?
Children often don’t understand that death happens with small, fragile animals all the time, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can see several of your baby turkeys die in just a week or so. Even if you know what you’re doing, baby turkeys will die sometimes.
Does a Turkey go bad?
Turkey, like most other meats, does go bad after some time. Especially if you leave the turkey in your freezer, or worse, your fridge, for an extended period of time. Do you know how to tell if a turkey has gone bad? You will know that your turkey has gone bad when it begins to turn grayish brown or grows mold.