Respiratory Disease in Turkeys
One of the most common and expensive problems for turkey keepers is respiratory disease.
The main causes of respiratory disease in turkeys are Mycoplasma and Avian
RhinoTracheitis virus (ART). Often these agents occur together and without your vet
carrying out a blood test or taking swabs there is no way of telling which one(s) are involved.
Often these pathogens will damage the respiratory system allowing normally harmless
bacteria such as E. coli to come in and cause further damage. Irrespective of the cause(s) the
treatment is the same.
ART is a virus that damages the upper respiratory tract in turkeys, but apart from affecting
the respiratory system it is harmless elsewhere in the body.
Mycoplasma species are bacteria which infect the respiratory tract and the joints of turkeys,
leading to respiratory distress and lameness. It is important to note that Mycoplasma is
carried by the bird for life and whilst it will appear to go away without too much damage
being caused, it can flare up during times of stress such as moving to a new home where
they go on to infect their new flock mates. Mycoplasma can be transferred through the egg
from the hen to her poults.
It is important to note that both Mycoplasma and ART can infect chickens too.
What to look out for:
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Sneezing
Runny eyes
Runny nose
Lameness
Treatment:
In mild cases, the birds will recover. During this time, ensure they are being offered a good
quality diet, fresh water and clean bedding.
If the birds appear dull or the condition is not improving then see your vet as antibiotics may
be required. In many cases your vet will recommend that your entire flock is treated.
If your vet gives your birds antibiotics, we recommend also providing some Beryl’s Friendly
Bacteria. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria. This product contains
over 200 species of friendly bacteria to help repopulate the gut. Note: For best results, do
not give Beryl’s Friendly Bacteria until at least 48 hours after the use of antibiotics, as their
residues may kill Beryl’s Friendly Bacteria.
As with all diseases, respiratory disease can take a lot out of your bird. Use Chicken Vet
Amino+, which contains essential amino acids and B vitamins, (to help build up your bird’s
body reserves after illness) along with Chicken Vet Energy to stimulate appetite and give the
bird energy (contains carnitine-just like Red bull).
Prevention:
Prevention is much better than cure, so try to stop the disease getting onto your holding in
the first place. Since the disease can come from the hen, only buy poults from reputable
suppliers and not local markets. Try to discourage wild birds that can carry Mycoplasma by
not feeding your birds outside in the run.
There is a vaccine available against ART, requiring your poults to be vaccinated by eye drop
twice (once in the first week of life then again four weeks later). Whilst there is no vaccine
licensed in turkeys against Mycoplasma, protecting your birds against ART will reduce the
chances of them getting Mycoplasma.
Irrespective of whether or not your holding is free from respiratory disease (or not as the
case may be), good ventilation is essential. Many flocks that may have respiratory disease
but are not stressed and are kept well ventilated, often don’t show clinical signs. Poor
ventilation and draughts stress your birds, leaving them more vulnerable to developing
clinical signs. In the words of one poult supplier-‘if you wouldn’t want to sleep in your turkey
house then don’t expect your turkeys to sleep there either’.
For more information and advice then please visit www.chickenvet.co.uk