Offer Grit If Not Free-Ranging

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; birds self-regulate intake.

Why It Works

Turkeys lack teeth and rely on their muscular gizzard to grind food. Small stones held in the gizzard crush whole grains, forage, and fibrous material into digestible particles. Without grit, turkeys eating anything beyond processed crumbles or pellets cannot properly break down food, leading to poor nutrient absorption and potential crop impaction.

Tips

• Offer grit in a dedicated container, not mixed into feed, so birds consume it as needed
• Oyster shell is not a substitute for grit; it dissolves and provides calcium, not grinding action
• Free-ranging turkeys on natural soil typically pick up enough small stones without supplemental grit