What do you feed to turkeys?

Feed turkey poults a 28% protein starter crumble from hatch through 8 weeks. Use feed labeled for turkeys or game birds, since chick starter at 18-20% protein is insufficient for poult growth. Medicated starter with amprolium helps prevent coccidiosis, a common intestinal disease in young poults.

Transition turkeys to a 20-22% protein grower feed at 8 weeks and continue through 16 weeks. Mix grower feed with starter gradually over 5-7 days, increasing the grower ratio daily to avoid digestive upset. This phase covers the period of heaviest feed consumption as birds build frame and muscle.

Provide unlimited access to clean, fresh water at all times. An adult turkey drinks approximately 1 pint per day in moderate weather and significantly more in heat. Clean and refill waterers daily to prevent bacterial growth. Use waterers sized for turkeys, as chick-sized waterers tip over easily.

Allow turkeys access to pasture or provide supplemental greens such as kale, lettuce, clover, or fresh grass clippings. Forage should complement balanced commercial feed, not replace it. Start with small amounts and increase gradually. Pasture-raised turkeys forage on insects, seeds, and green…

Switch to a 16-18% protein finisher feed from 16 weeks until processing. Transition gradually over 5-7 days by blending finisher with grower feed. Finisher feed contains higher energy and lower protein, directing nutrients toward final weight gain and fat deposition that improves meat quality.

Provide insoluble granite grit free-choice in a separate container if turkeys lack access to gravel or rocky soil. Match grit size to the bird's age: starter grit (fine) for poults under 8 weeks, grower grit (medium) from 8-16 weeks, and hen-sized grit for birds over 16 weeks. Refill as needed;…

Rely on balanced commercial feed as the primary nutrition source and limit kitchen scraps. While plain vegetable trimmings like carrot peels or lettuce in small amounts are safe, most processed human foods contain salt, sugar, fats, and preservatives harmful to poultry. Never feed turkeys…