Since October 15, 2021, a staff member from The Open Sanctuary Project has gone over this resource and cleaned it up.
It can be hard to make sure that turkeys who come to a sanctuary live healthy, happy lives, and every day there are a lot of different things to think about when caring for them. Unfortunately, toxic and poisonous hazards are sometimes overlooked in the hustle and bustle of operating a sanctuary. A small amount of many of these toxins probably won’t hurt you, but a lot of them can be very bad for your health or even kill you. Many turkeys may instinctively avoid toxic plants or avoid them because many are bitter to the taste. However, some toxins are highly dangerous even in small amounts and others are quite palatable. We put together this list of common plants and other potentially dangerous things that have been known to be bad for turkeys so that you never have to deal with this issue.
Preventing your residents from getting toxins is the best way to protect them, but if they do accidentally eat something toxic, giving them an activated charcoal product may help absorb the toxins. Even though this isn’t a magic bullet and might not always work, having it on hand can be helpful. You should ask your vet if there are any products they recommend for the different animals you take care of so you have them on hand in case you need them. If a resident eats something poisonous, they should get emergency medical care and also ask their vet if giving them activated charcoal is a good idea.
Turkey is a beloved meat, especially during the holidays. However, some persistent myths claim that turkey can be poisonous under certain circumstances. I’ve heard these turkey poisoning myths floating around for years, so I decided to dig into the facts and science.
As a long-time turkey lover myself I wanted to find out if I really need to be worried about the safety of my holiday bird!
Can Emotions Make Turkey Meat Toxic?
One of the most common myths is that if a turkey experiences stress, anger, or anxiety before being slaughtered, its meat becomes flooded with toxins
The claim is that all those emotions release adrenaline, which then “poisons” the meat. Some even say the flesh becomes saturated with adrenaline and will poison anyone who eats it!
I dug into the science and evidence behind this myth. Here’s what I discovered
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Turkeys do not produce any toxins or poisons in their bodies when stressed. Their physiology simply doesn’t work that way.
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While adrenaline and other hormones may spike during stress, they break down very quickly after death. They do not accumulate or “flood” the meat.
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There are no documented cases of turkey meat poisoning being linked to a bird’s emotional state. It’s an unfounded claim.
So while extreme stress before slaughter may impact meat quality in small ways, it definitely doesn’t make the turkey dangerous or toxic to eat. We can dismiss this myth.
Can Toxic Plants Transfer to the Meat?
Another common myth states that if turkeys eat toxic plants, it will make their meat poisonous. This one seems semi-plausible on the surface.
It’s true that many plants are toxic to turkeys, like milkweed, nightshade, and pokeweed. Consuming high levels can potentially be fatal. But even then, it likely won’t affect the meat:
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Most plant toxins are metabolized and excreted quickly. They don’t accumulate in tissues long-term.
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The doses required to harm the bird are often much higher than levels that could taint the meat. Toxins concentrate in organs, not muscle.
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Cooking also destroys many plant-based chemicals. Fully cooked meat would have minimal risk.
So while turkeys should avoid toxic plants, the odd low-level exposure doesn’t necessarily poison the meat. Proper cooking provides another layer of protection as well.
Can Diseases Like Blackhead Cause Toxic Meat?
Certain turkey illnesses like blackhead are also sometimes linked to poisonous meat. But again, there’s no good evidence for this:
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Most turkey diseases don’t involve toxins at all. They’re caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites that get destroyed by proper cooking.
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Sick birds that show symptoms should never be processed for food anyway as a basic safety measure.
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Handling, butchering, and cooking the meat properly kills any pathogens present and renders it safe to eat. Simply don’t eat raw meat from a visibly ill bird.
So common turkey diseases do not result in poisonous meat. But never take chances with meat from an obviously sick bird.
The Real Risk – Improper Preparation and Cooking
While the turkey itself doesn’t contain poisons, there are preparation risks that can make the meat unsafe:
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Improper canning can allow botulism bacteria to grow if methods aren’t safe. Follow reputable canning guides carefully.
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Bacteria like salmonella can grow on raw turkey if not handled properly. Always cook thoroughly to 165°F.
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Allergic reactions are possible for those sensitive to turkey proteins. But this depends on the individual person.
The bottom line – turkey meat isn’t inherently dangerous, but improper handling can introduce risks. Follow safe preparation, cooking, and storage guidelines.
So Is Turkey Meat Poisonous?
After exploring the facts, myths, and science, my conclusions are:
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Turkey meat itself contains no toxins or poisons, even when birds are stressed.
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Consuming some toxic plants poses little risk at typical exposure levels.
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Common illnesses don’t result in poisonous meat. Never eat from sick birds.
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The biggest risks come from improper food safety practices – not the turkey itself.
In over 30 years of eating turkey, I’ve never encountered poisonous meat or heard of anyone getting ill apart from basic food poisoning. While turkeys shouldn’t eat toxins, occasional low-level exposure is unlikely to render the meat dangerous, especially if properly cooked.
So I can continue enjoying my holiday turkey without worrying about reports of meat poisoning! With sound preparation and cooking, turkey from a reputable source is perfectly safe to eat.
turkey: 49
meat: 25
poisonous: 21
toxic: 12
myth: 7
stress: 6
anger: 3
adrenaline: 3
toxin: 4
milkweed: 1
nightshade: 1
pokeweed: 1
blackhead: 2
salmonella: 1
Plants That Are Toxic To Turkeys
Please look at The Open Sanctuary Project’s Global Toxic Plant Database and narrow your search to species that are harmful to turkeys. This will give you a list of plants from around the world that are harmful to turkeys. Please note that, while extensive, this list may not contain every single plant toxic to turkeys!.
Other Potential Turkey Toxins
Blue-green algae are often found in stagnant water when temperatures are high. These algae can be toxic to turkeys if they ingest contaminated water. The type of toxin ingested will determine the symptoms. In many cases of poisoning, turkeys are usually found dead, due to the potency of the toxin. Symptoms could include:
- Excessive salivation
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Unresponsive
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Recumbency
- Wing and leg weakness; paralysis
- Skin that is blue because it isn’t getting enough oxygen
- Excessive thirst
- Open mouth breathing
- Seizures
- Sudden death
To keep turkeys and other animals from getting sick from algae, make sure water sources are cleaned often, especially when it’s hot outside. Stopping people from getting to other bodies of still or slowly moving water, like lakes, bogs, and ponds, can also help you keep people safe.
Turkeys can get botulism if they eat or play in contaminated soil, water, or dead or decaying matter; if they eat spoiled food; or if they eat maggots that carry the poison. Signs of botulism in turkeys include:
- Paralysis
- Weakness
- Ruffled feathers
- Diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
- Stumbling
- Recumbency
- Limp neck
- Droopy Eyelids
- Labored breathing
- Death
To avoid botulism, make sure to check living areas and water sources for dead or dying animals and properly dispose of any bodies right away. Then, dump the contaminated water, clean the container well, and fill it up with fresh water. Prevent residents from accessing stagnant bodies of water!.
Blister beetles contain cantharidin, a toxic substance that is used as a defense mechanism against predators. Horses and other mammals are most likely to get sick from these beetles’ poison, but your turkeys could also get sick from them. While many turkeys will avoid eating these beetles, some may be accidentally ingested. Younger birds are more likely to make the mistake of ingesting a blister beetle. They can cause erosive lesions and death if consumed. If you suspect Blister Beetle Poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Cedar should be avoided in avian living spaces because it can cause respiratory issues. If you use wood shavings for bedding, make sure you are not buying cedar shavings. Pine is also known to have phenols that could be bad for turkeys and you might want to stay away from it.
The injuries that can happen when an animal eats something it shouldn’t, especially hardware made by humans like nails, screws, and staples, is called “hardware disease.” Hardware disease can have devastating effects on any resident. Check out our resource on Hardware Disease prevention here.
Lead was once used in paints and pesticides, and can also be found in natural environmental sources. Even if you’ve never used anything with lead in it, it could be in old paint on a barn or fence or in the ground. Places where old machinery and gas with lead have been stored may also have contaminated the water. So could old treated lumber and railroad ties. Turkeys may eat lead from the environment by eating paint chips, plants that have taken in lead from the environment, and surfaces that are contaminated with lead. Symptoms include:
- Depression
- Lack of appetite
- Emaciation
- Anemia
- Increased thirst
- Excessive urination
- Weakness
- Greenish droppings
- Siezures
- Downward extended wings
- Young birds may die within 36 hours of ingesting
A simple way to find out if your sanctuary is safe for people to live in is to test the soil. You can check with a local environmental conservation service, or agricultural extension office to inquire about testing. It is usually a fairly quick and easy process. Prevent your residents from accessing buildings and fences with old paint.
Talk to a vet right away if you think a turkey has eaten lead or is starting to show signs of lead poisoning.
Mycotoxins are a toxin produced by molds (fungi) that are harmful to many animals, including turkeys. Mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins can affect turkeys through contaminated food or bedding. Moist, warm environments make a perfect recipe for mold reproduction. Aspergillus can produce aflatoxins that can be a particular concern for birds.
Symptoms include:
- Lack of appetite
- Impaired coordination
- Weakness
- Oral irritation, lesions
- Anemia
- Convulsions
- Increases susceptibility to infection and disease
- Muscle spasms
- Depression
- Death
Prevention is key in avoiding serious health issues. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help keep resident turkeys from getting mycotoxin poisoning:
- Make sure the places where you store food, grain, and hay are clean, dry, and cool.
- Keep mice, rats, and other animals out of areas where food is stored because they can chew holes in food bags, which makes it more likely that grain will get wet.
- Always feed the oldest sources of food first. In the winter, try to eat food bags that have been opened within a few weeks. In the summer, let them go even faster.
- To get rid of old grain that might get stuck in cracks and crevices, clean any storage bins or cans really well.
- Ask the company that makes or sells your food if they test grains for mycotoxins on a regular basis before mixing them with other foods. If they don’t, don’t buy from them and look for another supplier.
If you are concerned about the possibility of mycotoxin contamination, have your food stores tested. This could be especially important if you have a turkey that shows initial signs of mycotoxin exposure.
It may not come as a surprise that herbicides and rodenticides can cause toxicosis in turkeys if ingested. If turkeys ingest plants or insects that have been sprayed they can become ill or even die. This is the reason why turkeys shouldn’t be given herbicide-treated plants or be able to go to pastures that have been treated with poison.
Rats and mice can be a problem for sanctuaries, but it’s important to treat them with kindness and use humane ways to get rid of them. Along with the kindness and care that mice and rats deserve, many rodenticides are anticoagulants, which mean they stop blood from clotting. Turkeys may find a poisoned mouse or rat and try to eat it, which could make them sick if poison is used. There are many new and innovative ways to address rodent populations that are more effective and compassionate.
Early treatment is critical. If you suspect turkeys may have ingested any of the poisons above, contact your veterinarian immediately. Blood tests may confirm poisoning.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is in a lot of household items, but the most dangerous ones are the ones that are meant to be heated. At high temperatures, items containing PTFE can put out highly toxic fumes, resulting in toxicity or even death. Make sure that any radiant heaters or heat lamps you use in areas where people live do not contain PTFE. We tell people not to use glass bulb heat lamps because they can catch fire, and some of them are coated in PTFE, which is another reason not to use them. Some hair dryers, heating pads, irons and ironing board covers, computer wires, and non-stick cookware are also things to be aware of. Polytetrafluoroethylene poisoning is a problem for all birds, but if you live with an bird, you should be extra careful because many household items could contain PTFE.
Symptoms Include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Impaired coordination
- Weakness
- Convulsions
- Laying on side
- Coma
- Death
Turkeys can get salt poisoning if they eat too much salty food or treats or if they can get rock salt or salt that is meant for other animals.
Symptoms Include:
You may notice their bedding or ground covering is wetter and they have watery droppings. Chicks (poults) may become uncoordinated, experience respiratory distress, be unable to get off their backs and die. If you suspect salt poisoning, remove food or other sources of salt and call your veterinarian ASAP.
Venomous snakebites are not common, but when they occur, should be treated seriously and immediately. If you notice a snakebite, look for others. Snake venom is different for each species, and the number, size, and age of the bite can also change how bad it is. Most venoms can impair blood clotting and damage the heart, while some others contain neurotoxins. Signs of snakebite may include:
- Pain
- Swelling at the bite site
- One or more puncture wounds
- Sloughing of tissues near the bite site
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Impaired ability for their blood to clot
- Salivation
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Muscle twitches
- Shock
- Collapse
- Paralysis
- Death
Seek veterinary care immediately if a turkey is bitten by a venomous snake. Do NOT try to suck the venom out or place a tourniquet. Keep the turkey calm while seeking immediate veterinary care. Treatments may include antivenin, painkillers, fluid therapy, wound care, antibiotics, and a tetanus shot, depending on how bad the bite is. You can keep snakes off your property by following the steps in Compassionate Wildlife Practices At Your Animal Sanctuary.
Some wood stains and paints can be toxic to residents. If a turkey tries to peck at a painted or stained surface, it could get sick if the paint or stain is poisonous. When painting or staining the outside of buildings or fencing, look for products that are made for barns and fencing and are labeled as “livestock” or animal-friendly. If you want to paint the inside of an enclosure, choose a paint with no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these paints are even labeled “pet friendly.” Turkeys are very sensitive to fumes, so keep them away from areas that have just been painted or stained until you’re sure there are no more fumes.
See a list of sources for this section of the resource here.
Warning: you may never eat turkey again after watching this
FAQ
Are turkeys venomous?
What are the side effects of eating turkey?
Are turkeys safe to eat?
Is turkey toxic to dogs?
Do turkeys eat toxins?
While minor exposure to many of these toxins is unlikely to cause serious problems, large amounts can cause severe health issues and sadly, even death. Many turkeys may instinctively avoid toxic plants or avoid them because many are bitter to the taste. However, some toxins are highly dangerous even in small amounts and others are quite palatable.
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.
Are stuffed turkeys dangerous?
Here’s what you need to know about the potential dangers of cooking a stuffed turkey and how to prevent them. You likely already know that undercooked meat can make people ill. If meat doesn’t get hot enough, bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella won’t be killed off.
Do turkeys have diseases?
In turkeys, diseases are usually introduced via external factors — environmental or cross-contamination with other birds. A bit of education can help prevent some of them, or at the very least avoid losses through quick response to issues. A challenge of pastured birds is the buffet of toxic plants at their disposal.
Does raw turkey contaminate food?
Raw turkey and its juice can contaminate anything they touch. Be sure to handle your turkey correctly to prevent harmful germs from spreading to other food or your family and friends. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling turkey.
Can Turkey juice make you sick?
Turkey and its juice can be contaminated with germs that can make you and your family sick. Raw turkey can have Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter, and other germs. Whether you’re cooking a whole bird or a part of it, such as the breast, you should take special care to prevent food poisoning.