Why is my Tom Turkey loosing feathers in his breast area?

Question

My Tom turkey has lost most of his breast feathers in his breast area does any one know why? It is July but does that matter?

Answer 1

It could be one of several things.  He could have some kind of ailment or parasite that is causing this, or he could be rubbing it against something, or (and this is probably the case) there is something new in his environment that is upsetting him and causing him stress, so he pulls the feathers out himself.  You see this a lot in captive parrot-type birds that are in cages too small for them, or that have screaming children around, or whatever.  Maybe your Turkey is in a pen too small for him, or you're not keeping the water fresh enough, or some other kind of stress.

Examine his captive situation very closely and see if you can find out what you think it might be.  Alter, or remove this "thing" and his feathers will come back if that's what the problem was.

Answer 2

well. im not an expert on turkeys but, hes a bird and i had a parrot that did that once. she was actually pulling them out herself. the vet said that is a stress reaction. unfortunatly she pulled out a lot of feather roots and they didnt grow back.