Common turkey diseases
Turkeys, like other pets, sometimes get sick. Naturally, turkey diseases cause significant harm to the farm, since the number of livestock decreases, and the remaining poultry does not meet the requirements, since it is light in weight and does not have an aesthetic appearance. However, turkey diseases can be avoided by knowing how to properly diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in turkeys. Home treatment is best done at the initial stage of the disease. If turkey poultry diseases are difficult to treat in the early days, it is recommended to invite a veterinarian.
Common turkey diseases
If you notice any symptoms of possible diseases in turkeys, you should consult your veterinarian on how best to treat the birds. You can also study photos and videos of common diseases and read the description. Proper cultivation and knowledge of massive sores will help you easily recognize the type of disease. Many diseases can occur in adult and young birds due to a deficiency of protein, iron and vitamins of groups A, B, D. The most popular varieties of turkeys for home growing are big, North Caucasian, Canadian bronze and highbred turkeys.
Common turkey diseases
Diseases of turkeys and adults and young people, as well as their health, are of concern not only to those who grow it, this issue is also of interest to consumers of meat products, the population and even government agencies. Diseases of turkeys are no longer of private, but of national importance. To resolve this issue, breeders need to be able to prevent, and if it does not work out, then identify and treat any ailment in turkey poults. After all, they are responsible not only for the health of their individuals, but also for the well-being of fellow citizens. The most important place in the fight against disease is prevention.
It is no secret that good nutrition, good care and other preventive measures can prevent turkeys from getting sick, or at least reduce the negative consequences of such a nuisance.
Disregard for recommendations for care and nutrition, on the contrary, leads to outbreaks of dangerous diseases, as living conditions become unsuitable. Turkeys most often suffer from diseases that are caused by various microorganisms: bacteria and viruses. Failure to comply with sanitary standards creates a nutritious, beneficial environment for all kinds of microbes. Prevention in this situation is the most effective and cheapest method. It also happens that individuals pluck out the fluff on the body and head, this can be both a psychological and a physical problem.
Infectious diseases
Respiratory mycoplasmosis
In a simple way, this disease can be called a runny nose. The route of transmission of this infection is airborne. This disease is usually more common in poultry during the cold season. Lack of heat, drafted room, excess moisture are the main causes of the disease. Poor quality feed can also play a role.Respiratory mycoplasmosis is accompanied by vitamin deficiency (in the organisms of turkeys, as a result of laboratory experiments, a lack of vitamins B and A was found) and a general weakening of the immune system.
Signs of respiratory mycoplasmosis may vary. The main symptom is the general poor condition of individuals: eye inflammation and associated visual impairment, mucous discharge from the nose and eyes, weight loss, egg production. Also, turkeys during this period have a very peculiar gait. The impression that the turkeys are drunk - they often fall, their legs cling to each other, in general, the coordination of movements is impaired. This is due to a deterioration in vision, the bird does not see well where it is going. In young animals, frequent breathing also joins the symptoms. If you do not take measures to cure the bird, then the death of the livestock is assured.
Treatment of respiratory mycoplasmosis does not always give the desired result. Some owners prefer to immediately slaughter a sick individual, especially juveniles. However, you can try other measures. Chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline are added to the adult turkey feed. It will not be useless to add products containing vitamins, herbs (especially onions, since it is also an antiseptic). This helps the weakened immune system of turkeys. Some experts also recommend antibiotics: erythromycin, chloramphenicol and streptomycin.
A special vaccine against this disease is also produced. It is mixed into food at the rate of 0.4 kg per 1 ton. One should not forget about sanitary measures when caring for a bird. It is necessary to create a warm and dry microclimate in the room with turkeys so that the legs and head are comfortable. Various heaters can be used for this. It is necessary to regularly clean and ventilate the room. Washing and treating drinkers and feeders from infection. Keep sick and healthy turkeys separate.
Tuberculosis in turkeys
This is one of the most unpleasant and dangerous infectious diseases of turkey poults. The disease is localized in the lungs and airways of the bird, disrupting their normal functioning. Such diseases in turkey poults are transmitted through dirty eggs, water and litter. The symptoms of tuberculosis are visible to the naked eye: in a bird legs give way and turkeys fallwhen they try to walk, complete apathy appears, appetite disappears and, as a result, weight loss occurs, growths specific to this disease are visible on the skin. Treatment for tuberculosis is almost impossible.
This disease is considered dangerous because it cannot be cured at the moment. In order to somehow save the livestock, at the first signs of illness, sick turkeys should be destroyed. The room where the bird is kept is thoroughly sanitized. All walls are disinfected, the dishes are washed and processed, the floor is cleaned of debris and droppings, the bedding is changed to fresh ones. The room is ventilated, and so that it is roasted by the sun. Within 2 months, this room is not suitable for bird settlement. It is necessary to ventilate and dry it daily during this period.
Histomoniasis
The disease affects turkey juveniles under improper conditions. The development of the disease is also facilitated by insufficiently good sanitization of the room, especially if the owner had previously kept geese or chickens there. This disease requires urgent treatment, as it proceeds rather quickly. Otherwise, the bird will begin to die. Symptoms of histomonosis can be detected by external signs. This disease affects the internal organs of turkeys.
We study diseases
Their joints are also affected. A sick bird suffers from diarrhea. The turkey droppings are green. The bird is motionless; when trying to move, it falls, as it does not hold its legs. There is complete apathy and loss of appetite. Treatment of histomoniasis is only medication in nature, and the sooner the turkeys are treated, the better. Use vaccines Furazolidone or Osarsol. They are served addicted to the staple food for turkeys.
They also put drugs in the food to combat helminths, or in another way, with worms. Since these diseases often occur simultaneously and are caused by the same reasons. Piperazine sulfate or Phenothiazine are effective against worms. Also, the poultry room needs to be disinfected. As a preventive measure, the room should be kept clean, and the Bromethronide vaccine should be added to the food with a turkey. This drug is given for about 33-39 days and is an effective preventive agent against histomonosis.
Worms in birds
All pets and birds are often affected by these parasites. They can affect both adult birds and juveniles. Sometimes people also get infected. Worms or their eggs and larvae can enter the body in all possible ways: from sick birds, from contaminated water and food, from the soil, from dirty dishes. Worms can be localized both in the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys and in the respiratory organs, disrupting the normal functioning of the latter. Signs of infection with worms outwardly proceed imperceptibly. However, owners should be wary if, with a good appetite, the bird gains little weight, or even loses it altogether.
There is also a decrease in immunity to other diseases. Treatment for worms must be medication. The industry produces a lot of drugs that can be used to treat an individual. The most popular are piperazine sulfate and phenothiazine. Some owners use traditional medicine, but they are not very effective if the worms are localized in the respiratory system. In addition, they do not act on all types of intestinal parasites. Owners shouldn't wait to see if the bird gets sick or not. There are a lot of prophylactic drugs that need to be given once every 1-2 months.
Turkey pox
This disease affects not only turkeys, but also chickens at home. From one type of poultry, it easily passes to another through common food or drink. It can also pass from a sick bird to a healthy bird if they are in especially close contact. It is also carried by insects. Flies and mosquitoes are especially dangerous in this regard. Smallpox signs can be seen externally. The main symptom is a characteristic rash on the skin of the legs and head. The feathers look like the bird has been in a fight. They do not lie neatly, but disheveled.
Turkeys become lethargic and have a lack of appetite. Smallpox is not treated as such. Treating is practically useless. This disease is not yet amenable to treatment, therefore, in order to combat it, more attention should be paid to preventive measures. At the first sign, a sick bird is slaughtered, and the room is thoroughly disinfected. Effective in preventing disease Embryo vaccine. If there is a risk of infection, it must be given to turkeys without fail. It is not worth saving, otherwise you can lose all the poultry.
Newcastle disease in turkeys
Newcastle disease is caused by viruses in all turkeys. Newcastle disease in turkeys is akin to an epidemic: very quickly all livestock becomes infected, after which it dies. Young turkey poults are particularly affected. The disease is fatal for the bird; only a few individuals are able to survive after it. The symptoms of Newcastle disease manifest in different ways. Most birds begin to suffer from diarrhea.
Diarrhea in turkeys becomes grayish or greenish, has a very sharp, unpleasant odor. Birds develop severe paralysis of the wings and legs. Turkeys can hardly move. No cure for Newcastle disease has yet been found in modern veterinary medicine. Therefore, to prevent it, it is best to vaccinate the livestock. At the first signs of this disease, it is better to kill the bird, since it is unlikely to survive, and the patient can easily infect others.The room must be thoroughly sanitized.
Non-communicable diseases of turkeys
Hard goiter
The cause of the disease is hard goiter, is an incorrectly composed menu. Solid food that causes disease in turkeys can cause this condition. Therefore, turkeys are given solid food only from a certain age. From the first days, young birds practically do not get sick with such a disease. Failure to follow the recommendations for organizing proper nutrition leads to such pathology and liver disease. Signs of a hard, large goiter can be seen externally from the first days of illness.
When touched, this organ is very hard. In advanced cases, it can be inflamed and have a purulent discharge. Turkeys do not eat well, sometimes they do not eat properly for 6-7 days. Often the birds just sit ruffled. Treatment of hard goiter is practically not carried out. This pathology cannot be treated, so it is better to slaughter the bird before it itself dies of hunger. Since this disease is not contagious, the meat of such turkeys can be eaten. If the goiter is simply drooping, then the bird can be saved if you follow a special diet.
Hypovitaminosis
In a simple way, this disease can be called a lack of vitamins in adult and young birds. This is the result of a poorly formulated turkey diet. Symptoms of vitamin deficiency can be observed immediately after vitamin deficiency. In turkeys, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, the eyes begin to watery, the presence of discharge in the form of snot, in advanced cases rickets begins.
Prevention should be carried out during periods of active bird growth and vitamin deficiency. Treatment for hypovitaminosis is simple and effective: introduce more greens into the diet and give the bird vitamins. The industry produces various vitamin supplements. They are usually mixed into poultry feed or water. Such additives need solder little turkey poults as a preventive measure, even if the bird is doing well.
Pica
This is the result of an ill-considered diet. Turkeys do not get the necessary nutrients and try to get them on their own, absorbing everything they can. Even partial cannibalism can be observed when the bird plucks out feathers and devours them. This can lead to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and hard goiter. Signs of a perverse appetite can be noticed simply by observing a turkey.
Whatever diseases turkeys develop, the bird, with a perverted appetite, is constantly in search of food and eats everything that to some extent may seem edible to her.
Often, the bird has bald spots from plucked and eaten feathers. Treatment of perverse appetite is recommended immediately after the detection of the disease. In the treatment of this pathology, drugs are not used. You just need to organize healthy food for the turkeys. If the bird is free-range, then it is worth keeping it locked up for some time so that it does not find and eat something dangerous or harmful on the street. You can add vitamins produced by the industry to proper nutrition.
Disease prevention measures
Even a healthy livestock needs to be strengthened and prevention of diseases in turkeys should be carried out regularly. How to prevent the outbreak of dangerous diseases in order to preserve the livestock, and the dignity did not reject the meat of the surviving bird. inspector? There are a number of very simple, but no less effective actions:
- Prevention should be carried out regularly. Organize feeding your turkeys correctly. The food should be absolutely fresh, with no signs of sourness or decay. Some owners neglect this rule, as they are very sorry for the products left over from the previous meal. But stale food is an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms. Such savings are often sideways for turkey owners, since treatment is more expensive and does not always bring a positive effect.In the event that feed for the poultry remains, it is necessary to better calculate the ration and reduce the portions.
- To prevent diseases in turkeys from spreading to other healthy individuals, you need to periodically disinfect and clean the room where the bird lives. Even just removed droppings at home on time will reduce the risk of diseases at times and sores will not arise. Disinfection can be done both by whitening the room with plain lime, and by spraying it with industrially produced means for these purposes.
- The microclimate in the very room for turkeys is also important. It is necessary to observe the temperature regime, prevent drafts, arrange ventilation, airing, avoid excess humidity in the room where the turkey poults are kept. Even in an apartment, turkey poults should receive proper care.
- It is worth paying attention to the dishes from which the bird eats and drinks. Drinking bowls and feeders must be kept clean and, if necessary, rinsed with antibacterial agents. Other methods can be used for periodic processing: boiling, water with potassium permanganate, etc.
- Vaccines should not be neglected, especially if the disease has already been on the farm earlier, or occurs in neighboring farms. Treatment will be more expensive and time consuming.
- If any turkey has symptoms before or after illness, it should be planted separately. You cannot keep healthy and sick birds together and you should not do this, even if you do not have free space. It is worth carefully observing the birds from the first days of their appearance, so as not to miss any signs of illness.
Before you start birds, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with their content and possible diseases, it is recommended to study photos and videos about turkeys, read reviews about breeding. These simple measures, like careful monitoring of turkeys, can prevent epidemics and loss of livestock. If the disease has begun, then from the first days, you need to notice it and begin to fight it.