Disease management
Turkeys are relatively more resistant to some of the diseases as compared to chicken. Infection from Marek's disease and Infectious Bronchitis are extremely rare. Ranikhet disease and Coccidiosis occur only in mild form. The most common diseases are Fowl pox, Fowl cholera, Fowl typhoid, Mycoplasmosis, Blue comb and round worm infections. Although effective drugs are available for prevention and treatment of most of these diseases, greater emphasis should be placed on prevention.
- Although turkeys are resistant to various diseases but the veterinary care is required at initial stages and for vaccinations etc.
- The turkeys are completely resistant to Marek's and Infectious Bronchitis, Ranikhet, Fowl pox and Coccidiosis occur in mild form. Some of the commonly encountered diseases in turkeys are Fowl Cholera, Erysipelas, Hemorrhagic enteritis and Avian Influenza. The turkeys are protected from fowl cholera and Erysipelas by vaccination.
Some disease that can be seen in turkey is given below:
| Common disease |
Cause |
Symptoms |
Prevention |
| Arizonosis |
Salmonella arizona |
Poults unthrifty and may develop eye opacity and blindness. Susceptible age 3-4 weeks |
Elimination of infected breeder flock and hatchery fumigation and sanitation |
| Blue comb disease |
Corona virus |
Depression, loss of weight, frothy or watery droppings, darkening of head and skin |
Depopulation and decontamination of farm. Give rest period. |
| Chronic respiratory disease |
Mycoplasma gallisepticum |
Coughing, gurgling, sneezing, nasal exudates |
Secure Mycoplasma free stock |
| Erysipelas |
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathidae |
Sudden losses, swollen snood, discoloration of parts of face, droppy |
Vaccination |
| Fowl cholera |
Pasturella multocida |
Purplish head, greenish yellow droppings, sudden death |
Sanitation and disposal of dead birds |
| Fowl pox |
Pox virus |
Small yellow blisters on comb and wattles and scab formation |
Vaccination |
| Haemorrhagic enteritis |
Virus |
One or more dead birds |
Vaccination |
| Infectious synovitis |
Mycoplasma gallisepticum |
Enlarged hocks, foot pads, lameness, breast blisters |
Purchase clean stock |
| Infectious sinusitis |
Bacteria |
Nasal discharge, swollen sinuses and coughing |
Secure poults from disease free breeders |
| Mycotoxicosis |
Fungal origin |
Haemorrhages, pale fatty liver and kidneys |
Avoid feed spoilage |
| New castle disease |
Paramyxo virus |
Gasping, wheezing, twisting of neck, paralysis, soft shelled eggs |
Vaccination |
| Paratyphoid |
Salmonella pullorum |
Diarrhea in poults |
Prevention and flock sanitation |
| Turkey coryza |
Bordetella avium |
Snicking, rales and discharge of excessive nasal mucus |
Vaccination |
| Coccidiosis |
Coccidia spp |
Bloody diarrhea and loss of weight |
Proper sanitation and management of litter |
| Turkey venereal disease |
Mycoplasma meleagris |
Lowered fertility and hatchability |
Strict sanitation |
Vaccination Schedule
| Day old |
ND-B1 strain |
| 4th and 5th week |
Fowl pox |
| 6th week |
ND- (R2B) |
| 8-10 weeks |
Cholera vaccine |
(Source: www.vuatkerala.org )
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