08/14/2026
I thought I would share a learning lesson.
Almost 3 weeks ago, I bought 3 blue slate turkeys. I paid more than I usually do because of the color and I drove over an hour one way to Lillington to get them. The people we met were nice but they didn't seem to understand turkeys. They thought they were a way to make a lot of money. Supposedly one Tom will sell for $250.00! (not that I have ever seen)
Anyway, we get home and one of the birds seems off. He dies within 12 hrs. There is bright yellow p**p on the ground which means blackhead. I contacted the sellers and they had no idea what blackhead was. It is transmitted by chickens and is deadly to turkeys under 6 months old. 2 days later the next one dies. So you can bet that I was very angry. I moved the last one and put in a young turkey of mine to keep it company. Sunday is 21 days and they are both doing just fine.
The pen they were sick in has been sanitized. We raked out all the bedding and burned the ground which will kill anything that may be left.
Beware of inexperienced people. I really wanted that color and didn't ask the questions I should have asked. The sellers sold off all of their turkeys. Most of them were older than 6 months so the new buyers should not have the same trouble I did.
