Foods They Eat
- Acorns, hickory nuts, beechnuts, or walnuts, either cracked open or swallowed whole
- Seeds and grain, including spilled birdseed or corn and wheat in agricultural fields
- Berries, wild grapes, crabapples, and other small fruits
- Small reptiles including lizards and snakes
- Fleshy plant parts such as buds, roots, bulbs, succulents, and cacti
- Plant foliage, grass, and tender young leaves or shoots
- Large insects including grasshoppers, spiders, and caterpillars
- Snails, slugs, and worms
- Sand and small gravel for grit to aid proper digestion
What is the best food for turkeys?
For adult turkeys, you can use a 16 – 20% protein feed. Most feed companies are, once again, going to brand this as a game bird feed. Gamebird and Turkey are pretty much interchangeable when it comes to commercially available feeds. This food will be the staple of your turkey’s diet for the rest of it’s life.
What should I Feed my 5 week old Turkey?
If at 5 weeks old you still have half a bag of high protein turkey starter, just feed it till it is gone and switch when you buy a new bag. At about 13 weeks or so, your turkeys can start eating a regular turkey or game bird feed. At this stage, you can start feeding a lower percentage protein.
What nutrients do turkeys need to grow?
Proteins are a significant nutrient for turkeys since they aid in muscle and skeletal development. Omega 3 fatty acids, among other nutrients, also have an essential role to play in turkey nutrition. When buying turkey feed, ensure you look at the nutrients and whether the feed would satisfy the nutritional needs of your birds.
What do turkeys eat in the winter?
Fruits, nuts, and berries, from the safe list above, make excellent treats for turkeys. Keep in mind that turkeys naturally eat a diet that is higher in protein, not sugar.
What is the best thing to feed turkeys?
FEED turkeys cracked or whole kernel corn, sunflower seeds, oats, wheat, or non-medicated commercial poultry or turkey rations. FEED turkeys daily by broadcasting food at a rate of 2 large handfuls (or 1/2 cup) per turkey per day.
What should you not feed turkeys?
Here is some food that you should not feed to turkeys:Low-Quality chicken feed.Dairy foods.Onions.Raw meat.Chocolate.Processed foods.Fruit pits and seeds.Tomato and eggplant leaves.More items...
Do turkeys eat bird seed?
Foods They Eat Seeds and grain, including spilled birdseed or corn and wheat in agricultural fields. Berries, wild grapes, crabapples, and other small fruits. Small reptiles including lizards and snakes. Fleshy plant parts such as buds, roots, bulbs, succulents, and cacti.
Is it OK to feed wild turkeys?
Never deliberately feed wild turkeys to attract them to your property or keep them around. Turkeys can survive very well on natural foods and do not need handouts from people.
Is Cracked corn good for wild turkeys?
Cracked Corn-Corn is chocked full of protein and fiber that makes a great wild turkey food. Cracked corn is simply corn that has been dried and broken into pieces. This process makes it easier for wild turkeys to digest.
Can turkeys eat scrambled eggs?
In the spring, when the turkeys start laying, I offer oyster shell free choice. They also enjoy fresh greens, pumpkin, and extra chicken eggs scrambled.
What is a wild turkeys favorite food?
Preferred foods of wild turkeys Generally, turkeys thrive in and near mature forests that produce abundant amounts of mast, the fruits and nuts of woody plants. In the spring, they tend to eat leaves and grasses, and in the fall, they feed more on fruits, berries, seeds and insects.
Do turkeys eat oats?
Turkey also eat waste grains in harvested fields of corn, buckwheat, soybeans, oats, and grain sorghum, and they will use food plots, as well. Turkeys foraging in agricultural areas in the fall and spring eat mostly waste grains, wild plants, insects, and young grasses.
Can turkeys eat cat food?
Some cat food can have ingredients that aren't particularly good for birds — things they can't digest, their body can't fully process or is just too much for them. But it can depend on the food, the bird and how much it eats. Filling up on cat food also could stop them from eating the foods that are good for them.
Can turkeys eat carrots?
Turkeys love to pick at natural plants. They will consume all sorts of leaves and grasses. You can also feed your turkey various vegetable plants like lettuce, cabbage, carrot leaves, and much more.
What kind of fruit do turkeys eat?
Other planting suggestions include black cherry trees, blueberries, wild grapes and dogwood. Wild turkeys consume cacti fruits in arid areas and like many species of wildlife, will even consume poison ivy berries too.
Can turkeys eat raisins?
portion, or 16% of the entire ration for turkeys in the late growing periods with- out markedly affecting the gains in body weight, efficiency of gain or market grade of the birds. Cull raisins are frequently available- and in times of surplus-top grade raisins are relatively inexpensive for livestock feeding.
Can turkeys eat table scraps?
Types of Turkey Feed Turkeys like to eat the growing tips of the grass. They will also enjoy any kitchen or garden scraps: lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and so on.
Can turkeys eat cooked rice?
We've all heard the warning: don't feed rice to birds or don't throw rice at weddings because birds will eat it. Fact is, rice cooked or uncooked won't hurt wild birds at all. The rumor is that uncooked rice hits the bird's tummy and then swells causing its stomach to explode. It's simply not true.
What do turkeys like for treats?
They enjoy nuts, acorns, seeds (including many wild weed seeds), corn, grain, and peas. They eat berries, flowers, bulbs, foliage, and fruit. Domesticated turkeys have different needs than chickens or ducks and should be fed either a turkey formulated feed or a wild or game bird feed to meet their needs.
What do turkeys like eating?
Preferred foods of wild turkeys Generally, turkeys thrive in and near mature forests that produce abundant amounts of mast, the fruits and nuts of woody plants. In the spring, they tend to eat leaves and grasses, and in the fall, they feed more on fruits, berries, seeds and insects.
What to feed a turkey to fatten it up?
This can come in the form of a starter or grower feed. For fattening up a turkey, using a 30% protein gamebird feed will likely give the best results.
What to feed a turkey to gain weight?
Consider adding corn and oats to your turkey’s diet in larger quantities. Corn is especially good for weight gain but typically results in birds putting on fat and not muscle. Even so, it is good to offer different types of food to encourage the bird to eat more.
What is the best feed for turkey fat?
For fattening up a turkey, using a 30% protein gamebird feed will likely give the best results.
Why are turkeys considered commercial birds?
Because turkeys (and chickens) are commercial birds, turkey growers and universities have put millions of dollars into research to ensure that they grow strong and healthy. For meat birds, rations are typically formulated so they grow to their maximum potential but not so fast as to cause issues with their health.
What happens to turkey chicks as they get older?
As your turkey chick (poult) gets a little older, the protein requirements decrease.
How to get turkeys to be more friendly?
Feeding your turkey treats by hand is a great way to get your birds to become more friendly and used to you. They will learn that not only do you not hurt them, coming close to you usually means they get some kind of yummy treat!
What is the best grain to feed a turkey?
Oats have about 11 – 14% protein and are a great grain to feed as well. Giving your turkey a variety of grains to access will help encourage them to eat.
What is the best feed for a turkey?
The best feed for turkeys is a 28% unmedicated turkey starter for day old poults, which will be gradually transitioned to a 12% unmedicated maintenance ration for adult turkeys.
What is 12% turkey feed?
Once your turkeys get to adult size, they are fine with a 12% feed as a maintenance ration. 12% non medicated poultry feed should be really easy to find at most any feed store. Notice that 12% is a maintenance ration, not a breeding/laying ration.
What is the best feed for a day old poult?
For your day old poults, use 28% feed or a gamebird starter which will be a 30% feed. Poults need a much higher protein feed than most other young birds and the appropriate day old poult feeds are noticeably more expensive than what would be fine for chickens.
What is starter feed for poults?
As the name “starter” suggests, it is the first feed your new poults need. It will be a bit higher in protein than the grower and come in smaller pieces, called a crumble, so it’s easier for the poults to eat.
Does turkey feed change as it grows?
Protein % needed will change as turkey grows. You’ll notice in the table at the beginning of the article, the percent protein in the feed changes as the poults grow. This is normal for any feed ration.
Can you use turkey starter instead of broiler feed?
Sometimes it can be hard to source a higher protein feed for your poults, and it’s easy to think well what about using a broiler feed, instead? Short answer: Don’t do it. The only acceptable substitute for turkey starter is gamebird starter.
Do turkeys need different feeds?
Turkeys need different feeds depending upon their age, whether they are young poults or adults, and the time of year, mainly are they on a maintenance ration or are they in breeding season. What is the best feed for turkeys, based on their age, and when do turkeys need switched to a different feed?
What is the best feed for turkeys?
Besides commercial feeds that contain high levels of protein, turkeys can be supplied with alfalfa hay as their main feed. In contrast, inadequate or excess protein may be detrimental to the health of turkeys.
How to feed a turkey?
1. Grazing on pasture. Intake from pasture or range grass (grass from 4 – 6 inches long) accounts for 50% of their diets. Wild turkeys often forage near wooded areas. Therefore, you should provide them with ground feeding areas or platform feeders which is large, low enough to accommodate these large birds.
What do turkeys eat?
In the wild, turkeys forage regularly and will eat many various kinds of natural food such as insects, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, plants, and small vertebrate animals. Turkeys often mainly rely on acorns during the winter season because other alternative food sources may be rare.
Why do meat birds eat rations?
For meat birds, rations are typically formulated to achieve good health and maximum productivity but not too fast to cause any health-related issue.
Can turkeys forage in pasture?
Some farmers allow turkeys to forage freely through pastures and fields or sprinkle vegetable scraps, or toss a handful of mealworms in order to encourage them to forage. A simple tip you need to keep in mind is that your turkey can access fresh, clean, and available water at all times.
Do turkeys need more protein than chickens?
Turkeys can be a fun addition to a backyard flock if you are looking for company, nutritious meat, and eggs. Generally, a turkey needs more protein than a normal chicken. Check out my article below to know about turkey feed and effective methods to raise a fat and healthy flock. 1.
Do market birds need high energy?
Grow market birds require high energy level feeds. However, when feeding potential breeding stock, in order to avoid body fat in birds, the feed should contain a large amount of fiber. When it comes to breeding turkeys, diets with high protein will negatively affect the hatchability of eggs.
Our Top Pick – Best Turkey Feed
Our top pick for the best turkey feed is Nutrena Country Feeds for turkeys. Not only does it contain the right mix of nutrients, but it is also multipurpose. You can feed it to a variety of birds and even animals as well.
Top Turkey Feed Brands
There are several brands of turkey feed. Here is the list of the most popular turkey feed brands:
8 Best Turkey Feeds
The ideal turkey feed should contain all the required nutrients and also they shouldn’t be heavy on budget. Let’s take a look at the top turkey feeds.
How to Choose the Best Turkey Feed
Before buying turkey feed, there are a few things you need to consider. Of course, the price will be a significant factor, but you also need to consider the nutrients your turkeys need. Have a look at some of the things you need to remember when buying turkey feed.
How to Know you have the Correct Feed
Most people tend to think birds such as turkeys can eat almost anything. That isn’t entirely true since some foods could be detrimental to the health of your turkeys, especially their chicks.
The Bottom Line
Like any other birds, Turkeys need all the nutrients they can get to grow into strong, healthy adults. Whether you are keeping them as pets, for food or as gamebirds, you need to ensure they have all the nutrients they need by giving them the best turkey feed.
How to feed a turkey?
Feeding and Watering Turkeys. As the poults grow, you can switch to a five-gallon metal waterer, or a nipple watering system. 2 Make sure your waterer is sturdy and rugged, as large turkeys are quite strong. For feeding, a large hanging feeder that can hold most of a 50-pound bag of feed is ideal. Some turkey farmers use a range feeder that is ...
What type of feeder do turkeys use?
Some turkey farmers use a range feeder that is a trough-style. In either case, ensure that the edge of the feeder is at the level of the turkeys' backs so that they can reach the feed easily, but don't waste too much on the floor. Once they're on pasture, you will need to make sure the turkeys have access to coarse sand or fine gravel – ...
How to get turkey poults to eat?
This way when the poults first arrive, you can dip their beaks in the water and make sure they start eating soon after settling in. 1
Why hang a turkey feeder?
Avoid open pails of feed as well, because besides spilling it, the poults can all climb in on top of one another, hurting themselves .
How long does it take for a turkey to grow?
Turkeys typically grow to slaughter size within six months. 5 For an average tom, you will feed him approximately 100 pounds of feed, and for a hen, 60 pounds. 6
What is the best waterer for baby poults?
For these baby poults, a one-gallon chick waterer is the best option. 2 Avoid open dishes, buckets, or pans of water, because poults may fall in, get chilled and die, or even drown. The bottom half of an egg carton makes a good first feeder for poults.
What is the best way to feed a turkey in August?
Volunteer wheat will provide a source of green food and some grain will remain in the other portion. Wheat planted for a cash crop also provides the very important winter green portion of the turkey’s diet; the stubble, if left, provides a good place for a hen and brood to catch insects.
What do turkeys eat?
Acorns are an important food for wild turkeys. In most areas, acorns are eaten by turkeys every month of the year and more than a third of their diet consists of acorns in fall and winter. To ensure a dependable source of natural foods for turkeys landowners should strive for an equal distribution of age and size classes of trees on their timbered lands. This means that approximately one-third of a timbered tract would be in small trees and reproduction, one-third in pole-sized trees and one-third in mature saw logs. This sort of balance will ensure a dependable mast crop for wild turkey, plus the added benefit of openings created when stands of saw logs are harvested.
When to plant wheat for turkeys?
Forest clearings of one acre or larger, when planted to wheat in August or September, will provide green wheat all winter, with most turkey use occurring during early spring just before hens start to lay. Hens and poults will use the grain all summer.
What is the best way to keep wild turkeys alive?
Turkey management techniques should be implemented to keep such fields open and in a grass-legume mixture if possible. Mowing or moderate grazing improves the quality of these fields for turkey because it stimulates the growth of plants that comprise the diet of wild turkey.
Why are food plots important for turkeys?
Food plots, however, be helpful in times of extremely bad weather or during drastic shortages of natural food supplies and can be an important turkey management component. Winter wheat is one of the best crops from the standpoint of ease of establishment and use by turkeys.
How to plant food plots in the forest?
Permanent food plots can be established in forest clearings by applying recommended amounts of limestone, rock phosphate and fertilizer and seeding in the fall with 1/2 bushel per acre of wheat and 2 pounds per acre of orchard grass. Then overseed one-half of the plot in the fall or winter with 2 pounds per acre of Latino cover and 2 pounds/acre of red clover, and the other half with 10 pounds per acre of Korean or Summit lespedeza. Such plantings should provide attractive, nutritious food for turkeys, deer, and other wildlife for 3 to 5 years without further treatment. Apply no more than 20 pounds per acre of nitrogen plant food to avoid excessive vegetative growth. Turkeys prefer thin stands of vegetation and may not use dense, lush stands.
How many bearded turkeys can you hunt in spring?
Most state laws allow hunters a season limit of two bearded turkeys. Check out this video by The Sticks Outfitter where they share the best, most important spring turkey hunting tips for hunters of all levels: These are just some of the most important spring turkey hunting tips for hunters to follow.
How to catch a turkey early?
1. Hunt During the Day. The early bird catches the worm, so if you want to catch an early bird, you’ll have to wake up even earlier. Turkeys are known to start their days relatively early. Ideally, you should be at the hunting site and preparing your gear at least one to two hours before the sun rises.
Why do turkeys go around the canyon?
Shooters used to glassing can use this to their advantage because canyon slopes have many edges and creases to hide in. Stay two or three miles away from the prey to avoid prematurely flushing them.
What states do not allow turkey hunting?
Bear in mind that different states have varying laws when it comes to turkey hunting. For example, states like Alaska do not allow the killing of turkeys for sport or recreation, while gobblers are fair game in states like Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, and Wisconsin, among others.
Why are turkeys so aggressive?
Contrary to popular belief, turkeys can be quite aggressive if they feel their territory is being invaded by an outsider —especially if the outsider is also a turkey. If you place a sole decoy in the midst of a band of aggressive jakes, they might attack the decoy thinking it’s a solitary outsider intruding their area.
How to hunt turkeys with patience?
Patience is crucial when it comes to turkey hunting. Find and build a comfortable hide to position yourself in so you don’t get bored or uncomfortable while waiting for your prey.
Do turkeys roost in the same area?
Turkeys tend to roost in the same area multiple nights in a row—especially if there’s a nearby food or water source. It’s safe to bet that gobblers might still be around if you see freshly made roosting sites. A good approach here is to check for roosting areas one or two days beforehand.
