[FARM] Turkey Talk

Pepper

Pepper

Inactive
The first of May, I bought a Brown Turkey. He was only a few days old. Now he is full feathered and about 2 1\2 months old. He seem healthy. What I don't understand is why does he "plop" down so often? He will walk a few feet then "plops" down and stays down for long periods of time. Could it be the heat? Is this normal behavior for a turkey?

This is my first turkey and I don't know anything about health issues that Turkey's have. Any advice would be welcome. I am a bit fond of this little guy. :)
 
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Freeholdfarm

Inactive
I don't have a lot of experience with turkeys, but I don't think that is normal. It could be heat, but I'm wondering if maybe he's just a wee bit, um, fat?

Kathleen
 
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goatlady2

Deceased
His leg muscles may not be able to support his body weight. That happens a lot with Cornish Hens as they gain body weight sooo fast. There is a supplement to put in their water, but darned if I can remember what it is. Check Murrary McMurray's poultry web site I know they sell it and it's not very expensive and really can make a difference. Otherwise, it that is the problem you will have a crippled turkey in a few months, not able to walk at all. I raised turkeys for several years a long time ago from day olds and put that stuff in the water and never had a problem even when they topped out at 40-50# on the "hoof".
 
Pepper

Pepper

Inactive
Thank you all for your advice. I really like this turkey. He acts like a puppy. He will see me coming toward his pen and he will make for the gate. But as soon as he gets there he sits down. Goatlady, I think that you might be on to something. I have wondered if his legs might be to weak to carry his weight. I will see if I can find what you told me about and put it in his water.

Ginger, thanks for the link, I will definitely check it out.

Kathleen, I honestly don't know if he is a bit to fat or not. It is possible I suppose, seems like he got huge over night!

Thanks again to each of you for your suggestions. :)
 
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Freeholdfarm

Inactive
Goatlady is probably right. I've raised cornishX and had leg problems, and have heard that turkeys can have the same. We've raised some big ones, though, without the supplement and had no problems. It's worth a try, anyway.

Kathleen
 
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HoofTrimmer

Inactive
I am currently raising 30 turkeys of various breeds. They are the same age as yours are or younger. I see many of mine doing the same thing. I believe it is just what they do. In the past I've had turkeys that just roam about the place and they were disposed to plop down when and where ever. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. If you are feeding him turkey starter and he is healthy otherwise, just let him be. His muscles will keep up with his weight.

I had one of those huge ponderous white genetically mutated guys here too. He huffed and puffed through the South Carolina summer just fine. Kept up with the hen but was too huge to roost.

HoofTrimmer
 
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blueberry

Inactive
I had two white turkeys when I was a child. I got them as babies and they followed me around like puppies, and ate from my hand.

I seem to remember the plopping too, and they outgrew it as they got older.
 
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Pepper

Pepper

Inactive
Gingergirl said:
Hooftrimmer,

Silly of me, but its nice to hear that Pepper's "pet" may not be an early dinner.
Click to expand...

That made me feel better too! Thank you all for the info. I'm going to check out the Yahoo groups also.

I was given some Royal Plum Turkey eggs. I have them in the incubator and they are due to hatch Aug.2nd. So if you would say a prayer that it will be a successful hatch. I lost a batch last month. They where due to hatch and three days before the hatch the power went off during the night and they all died! :kk2:
 
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summerthyme

Administrator
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Unfortunately, he probably IS "outgrowing his legs". Cut back a bit on his feed- don't leave him enough to consume EVERYTHING he wants 24/7. I eliminated the problem of weak legs in my Cornish Cross birds by simply feeding them *nearly* as much as they wanted, but making sure the feeders were empty for about an hour a day. It takes some experimenting, but rest assured you won't starve him to death.

Feeding him some nice palatable weeds- lambs quarters, pigweed, or garden trimmings- will cut his calories a bit and keep him happy- and healthier.

I feed ALL my meat birds a vitamin- electrolyte supplement. It actually goes in their water. Most feed stores will carry something similar.

I've read that biotin is THE important nutrient in making sure their legs stay strong enough to carry them. The supplment I use (broiler booster from Murray McMurray) contains it.

I'm growing all heirloom breed turkeys this year, and they never "sit down" except when they're roosting at night. My Broad Breasted Whites and Bronzes over the last few years didn't much either- except for one who slipped a tendon as a young bird (he was an unexpected gift and I didn't have a pen ready- putting him on newspaper in a box was a mistake).

The heirloom breeds simply don't grow as fast as the "modern" types and don't seem to have the same problem with overeating and "outgrowing" their legs.

Hope this helps

Summerthyme
 
Pepper

Pepper

Inactive
Summerthyme,

Thank you. And yes, your advice may help! Today Tommy, (that is the turkeys name) could not walk at all. I honestly do think that his weight exceeds the strength of his leg muscles. He seems so healthy other wise. I am going to separate him from the rest of my turkey flock (I have four more younger than Tommy). I take being a owner of animals very seriously, and I am going to do all I can to save him and make him better. He deserves that. My Husband gave him some Colloidal Silver Water this evening.

I thank you all so much for your advice. If you would, please send up a few prayers for him.

Thanks,
Pepper
 
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