Possible sick Turkey- safe to eat? Causes?

[skylarms]

I have a 7 month old Bronze tom who a few weeks ago got a crook to his neck. It was almost s shaped, but now after a bit of research it sounds like wry neck. I assumed he got in a fight then a few days later he was fine. Then he got diarrhea- he dripped white stool for a few days. The diarrhea is almost gone now and his stool has returned to normal. He does still have a bit of white discharge though. He doesn't roost anymore but I have attributed that to size. He is so big and heavy I dont think he cant jump anymore. The new issue I see is his eyes are slightly foamy sometimes. They are not green or goopy, just clear bubbly fluid. We had planned on processing him for Christmas but now I am concerned. He doesn't have a cough or bumps or nasal discharge. My other turkey, a Bourbon, remains just fine. My chickens are fine too. A couple chickens did get very small scabs but nothing bad. They had like a few specks, so my first thought was Fowl Pox. Nobody acts sick, all the girls are laying like crazy, etc. I bought all the birds as chicks the same day and they have all been raised together and are the first flock on the property. Any thoughts? Should I treat the turkey? If so, with what? Would he even be okay to eat if he were sick or had been on antibiotics? I have no bird vets anywhere that I can find so I am a bit on my own here. Thanks in advance! Oh- HE has been eating and drinking just fine. He is cooped at night and let out to graze in a very large yard during the day

 

[dwest]

There probably are anti-biotics you could put him on to bring him back around again, but I think you'd find that between the prescribed length of time you'd administer the drugs and the required withdrawal period you'd be well past Christmas at this point. As for eating him as is without treating him...I probably wouldn't. If he had an obvious physical wound (broken leg, wing etc) that could be removed from the carcass I'd say sure, but with what you describe I'd pass on it until he's better. Definitely interested in what more knowledgeable minds have to say on this.

 

[skylarms]

Thanks! Cant wait to hear more replies. This morning he seems normal. I am afraid that if he doesnt go soon, he will be too big to cook.

 

[Frosty]

He sounds like he might have a sinus issue going on, probably whatever else he had challenged his immune system so it couldn't fight off the sinus infection. If you treat it with antibiotics, it would be a while before you could eat him. The best antibiotic for respiratory problems is Tylan, but it isn't labeled for poultry. Do some research on Mycoplasma. I think in some cases it downgrades the carcass, other sites say it's cause for rejection. Keep in mind that if he does have a respiratory infection, it is not uncommon for them to also have something else like e-coli so if you do process him make sure that he is thoroughly cooked.

 

[skylarms]

Thanks! He seems completely normal now. I am just wondering how long you should wait. He has never been raspy or snotty or have sores or anything like that ....

 

[Frosty]

If you are planning to eat him for Christmas, I would do him within the next few days. You want to leave him in the refrigerator for at least a few days to 'age' (get the rigor out and let the meat relax). I do my birds the Saturday before Thanksgiving. After being in the refrigerator for a few days, I put one in the freezer for Christmas. I don't have fresh turkey for Christmas because living in North Dakota I can end up with temps in the sub zero range when the time comes to get them ready.