Wayne Aa

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since Mar 04, 2013
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Recent posts by Wayne Aa

I am not sure at all about whether it's mange or not but if those piglets are not weaned you should separate them immediately from the sow. They are well past weaning age and often times the mother cannot do it herself... they are very persistent. If they are still nursing that is likely the problem or the root of the problem (she could be very weak and susceptible to desease.) Also you should separate the one who is sick from all of the other pigs. Any sick pigs should be quarantined or you risk the whole herd being infected. She will be very happy to have private space away from her piglets. Just keep her separate until she dries out and seems healthy... yogurt or kefir in her diet would help quite a bit.
12 years ago
Also... turkeys are group minded creatures (much more so than chickens) and they go a little crazy if you only have one. Still I would not try to rehabilitate that tom but turkeys should always have a turkey clan.
12 years ago
An attacking tom is very bad. Bruises given by poultry is very bad. Eat him promptly. A full grown tom turkey is no rooster... they are very powerful and could cause serious injury. I have raised hundreds of turkeys and never had one do that to me so in my experience it is not at all normal. Human aggression in any farm animal should be culled out immediately, whether it's a rooster, pig, turkey, or goat. The reason most farm animals are non aggressive to humans is due to this policy over many generations. Tom turkeys usually strut and hiss and attack each other but not humans. If you are going to kill and eat him make sure to wear heavy gloves and face protection when you grab him... they are very strong and the rear claw can do some serious damage, so grab the legs very tightly and hold on. You can rig a killing cone out of an orange safety cone. If you don't know how to do this do some research or get someone to help who does. A very sharp knife is important... ceramic is the best I think. Dry plucking is fine for one bird although it will take a while the skin quality will be better. Also since he is older slow braising rather than roasting is the way to go.
12 years ago