I just got six more turkey poults (2 male, 4 female). The smallest which is a male came here with a somewhat pasty bottom. I read old posts about this and soaked the poop off and dried with paper towel. It wasn't completely blocked as I have seen it poop. I'm concerned about it's colon being distended. The temp. is right and they seem happy. Will this take care of itself now or is there something else I should do. Also the other male which is much larger wants to pick at this poor birds bottom on occasion. Is this pecking order and will work itself out or should the little one be isolated. so far there hasn't been any damage done. Thanks, Denise.

-- Denise (jphammock@msn.com), July 05, 2000

Answers

Hi Denise, how's the little one doing? If you've got a heat lamp on them, try changing to a red bulb. It doesn't always work, but when it does it will save a lot of birds for you if pecking has started.

You can also try giving them something else to pick on-an ear of corn, some (too big to get into their mouths) marbles, a big chunk of carrot-something safe, and peckable. It might help take the bigger tom's mind off the little one's bottom. It might also help to give them a bigger space, or to break up the space they're in with large rocks, bricks, some such. It will give the smaller tom somewhere to hide a bit and get out of the bigger tom's way.

If the little tom's hind end hasn't healed, and it seems to be more than rawness from pecking, you'll probably need to put him down. Sorry, but there just isn't much you can do for them when they start turning inside out. You might be able to put him by himself and try raising him that way, but he'll be lonely and he still might not survive. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), July 09, 2000.

Thanks for your answer Gerbil. I moved them to a larger space and the pecking seems to have ended. I noticed today that little toms bottom is pasty again. I did the washing routine again and also put some bag balm on it. I t doesn't really look sore or like he is suffering, but his colon is still out too far. He seems active and is growing though. I was gentle with him when I cleaned him, but when we were finished he pooped on my leg and i noticed it was clear mucous tinged slightly with blood. I hate to put him ddown since he is growing and actually gaining in size compared to the others. Could it be a bad hemhorroid or something like that? Denise

-- Denise (jphammock@msn.com), July 09, 2000.

Denise, since he's doing better and the pecking has stopped, I'd keep going with him. When you need to clean his bottom, don't wet the area and wipe, just basically soak and soak and soak til it comes off. That will help to keep it from getting worse. Use the warmest water he's comfortable with, that will possibly help a bit with the swelling. I don't know that bag balm will do much to help the swelling. I'm wondering if something like Preparation H would hurt him. I've heard that models use it under their eyes to tighten bags. If you wanted to try it, I'd get a fresh tube, and be careful to use standard sanitary procedures.

As for his watery poop, are you feeding turkey starter? If so, I'd give him a special feeding a couple of times of day. It should have a lot of concentrated proteins in it to help him til things firm up. Don't have any other brilliant suggestions for a bird's watery poop. Not sure how old it is, but you might want to also consider adding oats to the rations early. Make sure they've got good grit. If this was my bird and I was determined to try and save it, I'd try mixing some crumbled activated charcoal into the grit and maybe even try a small saucer of applesauce as a free choice option. I know charcoal and applesauce can work on humans, and I don't think they would hurt a bird, but it is a risk and there's no promise of success.

Your bird could have pullorum or internal parasites, but since he's growing and the other birds are ok, not very likely. He's either become damaged due to the pasting, or was born with some internal problem. Keep watching him, and if he appears to be suffering, put him down. If he survives, do NOT keep him as breeding stock. There is a risk that this is something genetic. One sick poult is bad enough, you don't need a brooder full of them. Good luck, Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), July 09, 2000.

I'll tell you what I've learned from experience .When my birds are on starter alone I seem to get poopy rear ends .So this time the hatch came and I was caught short , so I through in some greens and bread .No stuck butts ! I continue this along with starter , still no stuck butts ! When I did have stuck butts I always put oil on them , it seems to help keep it softer .

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), July 10, 2000.

I dont plan on keeping any this year for breeding stock. I really hadn't thought about it because my main focus was on raising meat. If I did attempt breeding some later, how would I choose a good pair? Or does it take more than one pair? Now you got me thinking and that's dangerous.

I think I'm going to try the bread and greens idea. Little Tom seems fine today. He's still sticking out in the rear and still loose. But he acts just fine.

I think I'm going to post about turkey breeding to maybe find out about the basics to see if I want to research it further. Thanks!

-- Denise (jphammock@msn.com), July 10, 2000.