Why do turkeys eat food poorly: causes and what to do, prevention of the problem

Eating disorders, manifested in birds by loss of appetite, are not unreasonably alarming for breeders. The question of why turkeys do not eat the food offered well must be addressed in a timely manner. Indifference to food usually has objective reasons, is often a sign of various diseases and requires attention and a thorough approach to the problem from poultry farmers.

Why turkeys refuse to eat and what to do

The reasons why turkeys refuse to eat are often nutritional factors, under the influence of which pathological conditions subsequently develop. Unfavorable factors include:

• improper care;
• unbalanced diet;
• poor quality food;
• lack of preventive examinations and veterinary supervision.

Consequence of violation of the rules for keeping birds are infectious, inflammatory diseases and parasitic infestations. Improper diet and nutrition lead to malfunctions in the digestive system of turkeys, provoke the development of dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the bird grows poorly, does not gain weight, and in the presence of infection and parasites, the entire livestock may suffer.

Food refusal is considered the first alarm signal to which the owner of turkeys should promptly respond, look for the cause of this condition and take measures to correct the situation.

Pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract

By nature, turkeys are agile birds with a good appetite. Young turkey poults in a normal state willingly run up to the feeder. Poor appetite or refusal to eat, apathetic, lethargic state of birds - a reason to suspect the presence of problems with the digestive tract.

In most cases, the cause is the compaction of the goiter caused by prolonged stagnation of food. It is necessary to examine the turkey and feel the goiter. In the case of stagnation, a thickening is felt on palpation, called a hard goiter.

The cause of hard goiter is:

• non-observance of the time intervals between feeding, as a result of which birds pounce on the feeder and quickly swallow large amounts of feed;
• a grain of large size, difficult to pass through the esophagus and poorly processed by the digestive organs;
• lack of small pebble stones in the diet of turkeys, which perform the function of grinding food.

In advanced cases, the food bolus causes atrophy of the goiter mucosa. As a result of the decay process, toxic substances are formed. The bird does not eat, moves a little. When probing a hard goiter, treatment should be started immediately.

The treatment of hard goiter includes the following steps:

• daily fasting;
• washing the goiter sac with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate;
• soldering with 0.5% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution;
• diet therapy.

After a day without food, turkeys are offered soft food: chopped boiled egg, oatmeal, mashed cottage cheese. Diluted hydrochloric acid is given instead of drinking water. After a three-day diet, when their condition improves, turkey poults are offered compound feed, fine gravel is introduced at the rate of 1 gram per bird.

If the condition is aggravated by the development of inflammation, as evidenced by the appearance of swelling and the release of purulent mucus, treat with antibiotics and local antimicrobial agents under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Helminthiases

Worm infestations occur in turkeys as a result of being in unsanitary conditions, consuming contaminated feed or water. Parasites enter the gastrointestinal tract, develop in the intestines and can spread through the bloodstream to organs and tissues. The bird weakens, refuses to feed, loses weight.

The following drugs are used to treat helminthiases in turkeys:

• "Piperazine";
• Albendazole;
• Ivermek;
• Praziver;
• Fenbendazole.

After a course of therapy, turkeys are given easily digestible food (cereals, herbs, cottage cheese, boiled eggs). If worms are found in one or more birds, it is necessary to process the livestock, poultry house, feeders, drinkers, and also change the litter.

Protozoal diseases

Turkeys, like other birds, are susceptible to diseases caused by protozoa. Birds are affected by the following types of unicellular parasites:

• mycoplasma (causes mycoplasmosis);
• Trichomonas (trichomoniasis);
• chlamydia (ornithosis);
• coccidia (coccidiosis).

Symptoms of diseases include loss of appetite, lethargy, ruffled plumage. The turkey sits ruffled, retracts its neck. In the case of coccidiosis in livestock, there is a refusal to feed, diarrhea, and feather loss. The presence of symptoms is the basis for an examination followed by therapy.

Prescribe antiprotozoal drugs, antibiotics. The drugs are given with food or water under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Infectious diseases

Unfavorable living conditions, poor nutrition reduce the immune defense of turkeys, cause the development of infectious diseases. The agents are viruses and bacteria. Signs of infection are:

• refusing food;
• sluggishness;
• ruffled plumage;
• discharge from eyes.

Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian. Use antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, vitamins. Uncontrolled treatment of birds for infection is not recommended in order to avoid the formation of drug resistance in case of an incorrect treatment regimen.

Problem Prevention

Prevention is easier than cure.

Prevention measures include:

• compliance with the conditions of keeping birds (maintaining a constant temperature, humidity, cleanliness in the house, light levels);
• providing livestock with good nutrition;
• inclusion of vitamin and mineral supplements in the diet;
• carrying out drug prevention of diseases;
• vaccination;
• veterinary control.

He althy turkeys have excellent appetite. To avoid serious problems in the poultry house, it is important and necessary to pay attention to the behavior of its inhabitants in a timely manner.

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