Supplement with Greens and Forage

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 plants throughout the day.

Why It Works

Foraging provides behavioral enrichment that reduces stress and aggression in confined flocks. Pasture access supplies supplemental vitamins A and E from green plants, plus natural protein from insects. Pasture-raised turkeys can reduce feed costs by 10-20% while producing meat with higher omega-3 fatty acid content.

Tips

• Rotate pasture areas to prevent parasite buildup and allow vegetation regrowth
• Never feed grass clippings from lawns treated with herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers
• Avoid feeding nightshade plants (tomato and potato leaves), raw beans, and rhubarb leaves, which are toxic to poultry