This disease is particularly destructive to young turkeys when from 2 weeks to 4 months old. Other domestic fowls probably carry the disease without being themselves affected.
The disease is caused by a very small animal known as an amoeba and much too small to be seen by the naked eye. These amoeba are swallowed in eating or drinking and make their way to the spot where the large and small intestine join. At that point there are two blind pouches, and the amoeba stick there and increase and multiply, until the intestine is almost completely obstructed; they also pass to the liver which becomes covered with yellowish or yellowish-green spots. From the position in the intestine the amoeba pass out with the excrement to infect more turkeys.
Symptoms.—The young turkeys appear dull and listless, and do not follow the flock, and seem to have lost interest; the wings droop and the bird gets weaker and weaker; diarrhea is present and often a peculiar discoloration of the head which gives the name “blackhead”.
Treatment.—So far no successful cure has been found for this disease, and we must rely on prevention. Diseased birds should be killed at once, their bodies burned and the runways, houses, etc., thoroughly disinfected. Turkeys should not be confined with other domestic fowls, for while these do not suffer from “blackhead” they are believed to carry it.
Bronchitis
Is known by the frequent coughing, and if observed, a more frequent respiration than in health, and generally a well marked rattling in the throat may be noticed. In the more advanced stage there is discharge, as in catarrh, or a slight discharge as it gets well. Give the A.A., two or three times per day.
Bumble Foot
Occurs mostly in the large breeds of fowls, and is supposed to be caused by bruising the foot when alighting on a hard surface, or in resting on a small or uneven perch. There is a swelling or corn in the bottom of the foot, which softens, becomes ulcerated, forming a putrid surface or sore. Remove the putrid or decayed matter carefully, and paint with iodine; this may be repeated two or three times, and give, internally, the J.K., or if the foot is hot and swelled and not yet maturated, the A.A., may dissipate the swelling without its maturating. The bird should be kept on the straw and not suffered to rest on the perch.
Cholera
Usually makes its appearance as a diarrhea, with frequent greenish droppings and violent thirst, and extreme weakness and rapid failing of strength; the birds staggering or falling about, and often attacks of cramps. There is generally also an anxious look in the face. The disease is sometimes rapidly fatal, death occurring in one or two days.