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Turkey poult leg problem
I recently hatched a heritage turkey (Midget White). Since it hatched (he) has a problem with his one leg where it is straight and behind him. I am guessing that it may be a slipped tendon and definitely not splayed leg. I tried to feel for the tendon to see if it is out of its groove but I don't know what I'm looking for and don't want to inflict any further injury. In order for me to bend his leg I have to push back on the front of hock joint. I have him in a kleenex box saddle to prevent further injury to his other leg and breast when he is on the brooder floor (incubator with wire floor). The internet searching I did does not hold much hope for him but I am stubborn to get him to health. I am unable to find a vet that is open today or that treats birds. Any help would be appreciated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NHF on -
Last year we had one hatch that produced two poults that sound similar. The first two days or so they appeared hopeless and couldn't stand. Somehow they got stronger and their legs became fine quickly. I'm still not sure what it was. How is yours doing?
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Permalink Reply by Richard Biggins on -
Thank you for your reply but he landed up becoming weak when we were hand feeding him and watering him and landed up passing away. Broke our hearts.
NHF said:Last year we had one hatch that produced two poults that sound similar. The first two days or so they appeared hopeless and couldn't stand. Somehow they got stronger and their legs became fine quickly. I'm still not sure what it was. How is yours doing?
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Permalink Reply by NHF on
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I'm so sorry. They are so fragile and there are many opportunities for things to go wrong. We should realize what a miracle life is and celebrate the fact that it is ever a success.
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Permalink Reply by Meredith on -
I have a similar problem but I'm sure mine is an injury...turkey is about 6 weeks old and my husband found him with his leg slipped in between the joint of a plywood divider the turkeys all perch on. He's not sure if the leg is actually broken or just displaced at the shoulder/drumstick. He can't walk on it and it's laying out straight behind him. Stinks because he's otherwise healthy like the others...may take him to my vet and see what he says. Wondering if we can either splint it or reduce it. Sound hopeful, anyone?
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Permalink Reply by Richard Biggins on
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I would have him looked at by an avian vet. The one that I spoke to on the phone told me in my case to feel on joint areas to see if there is any difference between the 2 sides. Mine seemed to have a slight difference in the hock joint (bottom of drumstick) but I couldn't determine if it was the tendon being slipped or an actual joint problem. He passed away before I could take him in to get checked due to it being a weekend. Be prepared to pay a $100 or more for an evaluation. I wish you luck and keep me posted on how you made out.
Meredith said:I have a similar problem but I'm sure mine is an injury...turkey is about 6 weeks old and my husband found him with his leg slipped in between the joint of a plywood divider the turkeys all perch on. He's not sure if the leg is actually broken or just displaced at the shoulder/drumstick. He can't walk on it and it's laying out straight behind him. Stinks because he's otherwise healthy like the others...may take him to my vet and see what he says. Wondering if we can either splint it or reduce it. Sound hopeful, anyone?
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Permalink Reply by Meredith on
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We decided to try to fix it ourselves. (Ha!) My husband is in the medical field (people, not animals, but there's an intrinsic knowledge that sometimes translates) and we found an awesome textbook PDF that showed us how to make and apply a splint for the turkey's leg. Easier said than done (naturally) but after 2 weeks we removed it this weekend. He's putting a bit of weight on it and bending it at the "knee" now but nowhere near 100%. He can get to the food and water so we're going to wait it out and see how he does.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Biggins on
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Do you have a link to that PDF?
Meredith said:We decided to try to fix it ourselves. (Ha!) My husband is in the medical field (people, not animals, but there's an intrinsic knowledge that sometimes translates) and we found an awesome textbook PDF that showed us how to make and apply a splint for the turkey's leg. Easier said than done (naturally) but after 2 weeks we removed it this weekend. He's putting a bit of weight on it and bending it at the "knee" now but nowhere near 100%. He can get to the food and water so we're going to wait it out and see how he does.
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Permalink Reply by Meredith on
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Here's what we used, the Shroeder-Thomas splint on page 430 of this chapter on trauma medicine in birds. http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/ampa/16.pdf
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Permalink Reply by Richard Biggins on
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Thank you. Hopefully I won't need to use it.
Meredith said:Here's what we used, the Shroeder-Thomas splint on page 430 of this chapter on trauma medicine in birds. http://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/avmed/ampa/16.pdf
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