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What do you feed to turkeys?
Proper nutrition is fundamental to raising healthy turkeys for meat. Their dietary needs, particularly protein requirements, change as they grow. Feeding the wrong type of feed or an imbalanced diet can lead to poor growth, health problems, and reduced meat yield. Providing constant access to appropriate feed and fresh water is essential.
📅 Created: 4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
- Turkey Starter Feed (0-8 Weeks)5
- Solution: Feed a high-protein (typically 28%) turkey starter crumble from hatch to about 8 weeks old.
- Explanation: Poults require very high protein levels for initial rapid growth and development. This feed is specially formulated for their needs. Medicated starter (with amprolium) is often recommended to help prevent coccidiosis.
- Notes: Ensure it's specifically a turkey or game bird starter, not chick starter (which is too low in protein).
📌 feeding 🛠️ Turkey/Game Bird Starter Feed (28% protein), appropriate feeders4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Turkey Grower Feed (8-16 Weeks)5
- Solution: Transition to a turkey grower feed (around 20-22% protein) from approximately 8 weeks until 16 weeks.
- Explanation: As turkeys mature, their protein requirements decrease slightly. Grower feed supports continued growth and muscle development. Transition gradually over several days by mixing starter and grower feeds.
- Notes: Some feed programs may have slightly different protein percentages or timing.
📌 feeding 🛠️ Turkey Grower Feed (20-22% protein), feeders4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Turkey Finisher Feed (16 Weeks to Processing)4
- Solution: Switch to a turkey finisher feed (around 16-18% protein) from about 16 weeks until processing.
- Explanation: Finisher feed has lower protein and higher energy content to support final weight gain and fat deposition before processing. Again, transition gradually from the grower feed.
- Notes: Some choose to use grower feed until processing, especially for heritage breeds, but finisher helps 'finish' meat birds.
📌 feeding 🛠️ Turkey Finisher Feed (16-18% protein), feeders4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Constant Access to Fresh Water5
- Solution: Provide unlimited access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Explanation: Water is crucial for digestion, temperature regulation, and overall health. Turkeys drink significant amounts of water, especially larger birds and in warm weather. Clean waterers daily.
- Notes: Ensure water doesn't freeze in winter and stays cool in summer.
📌 watering 🛠️ Appropriate waterers (size for turkeys)4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Supplement with Greens and Forage (Optional)3
- Solution: Allow access to pasture or provide supplemental greens (like lettuce, kale, grass clippings - in moderation).
- Explanation: Foraging provides enrichment and dietary variety. Greens can supplement their diet, but should not replace the balanced commercial feed which provides essential nutrients.
- Notes: Introduce new greens gradually. Avoid moldy or spoiled items. Ensure clippings are not treated with chemicals.
📌 feeding 🛠️ Pasture access or supplemental greens4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Offer Grit If Not Free-Ranging4
- Solution: Provide insoluble grit (small stones/granite chips) if turkeys are not ranging on gravelly soil.
- Explanation: Turkeys, like chickens, need grit in their gizzard to grind down food, especially whole grains or forage. Commercial feeds are often processed enough not to require it, but it's essential if they eat anything else.
- Notes: Offer grit free-choice in a separate container, not mixed with feed. Provide appropriate size grit for their age.
📌 feeding 🛠️ Insoluble granite grit (appropriate size), separate small feeder4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Avoid Kitchen Scraps (Generally)3
- Solution: Limit or avoid feeding kitchen scraps, especially processed foods, salty items, or spoiled food.
- Explanation: While some plain vegetable scraps might be okay in moderation, many human foods are unsuitable or harmful to turkeys. Rely on balanced commercial feed for their primary nutrition.
- Notes: Never feed raw meat, avocados, chocolate, or moldy food.
📌 feeding 🛠️ None4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
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