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 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.
Common Turkey Diseases to Watch For
In addition to the above symptoms, there are some specific turkey diseases to be aware of:
-
Blackhead – Caused by a parasite, symptoms include lethargy, lack of appetite, yellow droppings, and death.
-
Fowl Pox – Viral infection causing lesions on the skin, scabby mouth, and respiratory distress.
-
Coccidiosis – Intestinal parasite leading to bloody diarrhea, weakness, and death.
-
Histomoniasis – Parasite that affects the liver and causes diarrhea, droopy wings, and swelling of the head.
-
Marek’s Disease – Contagious viral disease causing paralysis, eye issues, and death.
-
Mycoplasmosis – Bacterial infection leading to respiratory distress, swollen joints, and lethargy.
If your turkey exhibits any of the 12 warning signs or you suspect a specific disease, isolate the bird immediately and contact a veterinarian. Prompt treatment by a professional gives the turkey the best chance of recovery. Never hesitate to act when your turkey looks ill.
Providing Proper Turkey Care
The best defense is a good offense when it comes to turkey health. Follow these tips to reduce disease outbreaks:
-
Give turkeys plenty of space, clean housing, fresh food and water.
-
Check turkeys daily for any signs of illness.
-
Isolate any sick birds quickly and consult a vet.
-
Follow biosecurity measures like handwashing and quarantining new birds.
-
Control parasites through worming and pest management.
-
Administer recommended vaccines to prevent certain diseases.
-
Reduce stress by giving turkeys proper lighting, temperature control, and enrichment.
Raising healthy turkeys requires diligence, preparation, and care. By monitoring your flock and acting fast when issues arise, you can help your turkeys live long, rewarding lives. Pay attention to warning signs, isolate sick birds promptly, and work closely with your veterinarian. If you stay informed and take appropriate action, your turkeys can thrive.
Newcastle Disease (Fowl Pest)
This turkey disease has been practically eliminated from the UK through a nationwide vaccination programme. It does happen sometimes, but it’s still good to know about because it’s a very dangerous 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.
This is a virus that causes what most people call “bird flu.” It is usually spread through the air by respiratory tract particles, bird droppings, or people who carry it on their feet or equipment. Having an antiseptic container and a brush for cleaning boots or other gear before going into the turkeys’ area is a good idea because of this.
Virulent strains such as H5N1 are killers and must be notified to the authorities. If birds start to die, contact the vet immediately. Like with any other animal or pet, you should wash your hands right away after handling a turkey, even if it seems healthy.
Search the Poultry PagesSearch for:
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 walk on land that chickens have been on can pick up the parasite even years after the chickens have left the area.
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. It is important to keep the litter clean and dry because coccidia oocysts can be brought in on muddy boots. In the same way, it’s not a good idea to run the birds on ground that has been used by turkeys before or that is very wet.
This is an unusual disease for small flocks. It is spread by soil and can get in through skin damage. 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 very dangerous and contagious disease that doesn’t happen very often these days and probably wouldn’t happen in a small business that follows good hygiene rules. Symptoms include listlessness, loss of appetite, discharge from the nostrils and diarrhoea, quickly followed by dead birds.
It can be spread through drinking water, so it’s important to keep the water containers clean and make sure the turkeys always have clean water.
How to tell when a turkey is done
FAQ
What would cause a turkey to die?
How to know if a baby turkey is dying?
How can you tell if a turkey is bad?
How do you know if a Turkey is dying?
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.
What are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
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.
What to do if a Turkey dies?
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.
What happens if a Turkey is ill?
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.
How do you know if a Turkey is dehydrated?
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.