In this episode of The Turkey Talk Show, Dr. Marie Severyn, company veterinarian at Cooper Farms, shares her expertise on turkey respiratory health. She explains the importance of proper ventilation, the role of air sacs in respiration, and how poor air quality—especially high ammonia and dust—can lead to serious conditions like airsacculitis. Dr. Severyn also offers practical tips on monitoring barn conditions to keep turkeys healthy and thriving.
In this episode of The Turkey Talk Show, Dr. Marie Severyn, company veterinarian at Cooper Farms, shares her expertise on turkey respiratory health. She explains the importance of proper ventilation, the role of air sacs in respiration, and how poor air quality—especially high ammonia and dust—can lead to serious conditions like airsacculitis. Dr. Sev also offers practical tips on monitoring barn conditions to keep turkeys healthy and thriving.
Dr. Marie Severyn is the company veterinarian for Cooper Farms and has been a poultry vet for nine years. She has worked specifically with turkeys for nearly two years and is board-certified in poultry medicine.
All birds have about seven air sacs that are essential for respiration. These air sacs continuously feed oxygen into the lungs and serve as an expansion system. However, they are also vulnerable to airborne bacteria, dust, and ammonia, which can lead to systemic infections and diseases like airsacculitis.
Proper ventilation is critical in poultry barns. Without it, birds may suffer from oxygen deprivation, leading to high mortality rates. Air sacs connect to both the lungs and bones, so contaminants can easily enter the body and spread.
Airsacculitis can be caused by viruses such as aMPV, bacteria like E. coli, and poor barn management, especially inadequate ventilation and high ammonia levels. Signs include coughing or labored breathing.
When a bird has a healthy air sac, during a post-mortem examination, it should appear clear, dry, and resemble transparent plastic wrap when viewed internally. Just beyond the nostrils are the sinuses and nasal turbinates, which warm and humidify incoming air. Air then passes to the trachea and lungs. Sinus inflammation can also occur if air quality is poor.
Birds regulate their body temperature through their trachea using humidity. Encouraging birds to move around helps them cool off, especially by getting them to drink water and move off hot litter.
Dust and ammonia must be controlled, as they can paralyze the cilia—tiny structures responsible for clearing bacteria from the respiratory system. Unlike mammals, turkeys do not have diaphragms; they rely on body movement for inhaling and exhaling.
Airsacculitis is often a secondary infection, though it can also be primary. Affected turkeys may not eat or drink due to discomfort and low oxygen levels.
Farmers should check their flocks at least twice daily, monitoring bird behavior, temperatures, and humidity. Tools like ammonia meters and thermostats help maintain proper barn conditions. Ideally, ammonia levels should be kept at or below 25 ppm, and humidity should stay under 60%. High ammonia often corresponds to lower temperatures.
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