what to feed turkeys to fatten them up

by Prof. Lynn Klein II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Corn tops the list of grains fed to turkeys for fattening. Oats can also be fed, especially if cannibalism or feather picking is a problem, since the high fiber content of this grain is generally recognized as one means of reducing feather picking (in chickens as well as in turkeys.)Nov 26, 2020

How to fatten up a Turkey?

Some efficient methods that can be used to ensure a fattened, juicy meal are adding corn and oats to your turkeys’ diets, giving them high protein feed, and keeping feed located in one place. It is advised to use a 30% protein gamebird feed for fattening up a turkey.

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 Baby Turkey’s?

Keep in mind when choosing a feed for your baby turkey’s that there can be a 10% or more difference in the amount of protein between a chicken starter and a turkey starter. When a turkey chick initially hatches, it absorbs the yolk into its abdomen.

How much protein should I Feed my turkeys?

So, if your bird doesn’t need the extra protein, you can save some money by feeding a lower protein feed. 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.

How can I get my turkey to gain weight?

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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...

How long does it take to fatten turkeys?

How Long Does it Take to Raise a Turkey? If you are raising BB turkeys, they will reach butchering weight faster than a heritage breed. I found that in about 3 1/2 months I had Broad Breasted turkeys that dressed out at around 12-14 pounds. After 4 1/2 to 5 months they dressed out in the 15-19 pound range.

Can turkeys eat whole corn?

Whole corn is an excellent choice if you want to feed them. Cracked corn works good too but tends to get covered up quickly if it is snowing or blowing. I've found they also like alfalfa hay, strange as it might seem. They get right into it and eat the green leaves and flowers.

Can 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.

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.

Are peanuts good for wild turkeys?

If you want to feed Wild Turkeys, I would recommend our Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend. It's a nice mixture of peanuts, sunflower seed and corn. Our Choice Harvest Blend also has enough tree nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cherries, and suet nuggets to satisfy any turkey as well as a wide variety of other birds.

Do 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.

How do I fatten up my Christmas turkey?

Turkeys become really nicely flavoured and well fattened when they are fed on oats. Richard suggests that if you are thinking of rearing turkeys you need to book them early in the year because turkey breeders and hatchers need to know the number of birds to breed in advance.

Can turkeys eat chick starter?

Chick starter can be used to raise turkeys, with cautions: It does not have enough proteins or vitamins for good development. If chick starter is used, be sure to supplement with brewer's yeast at the rate of 2 cups per 10 lbs of chick starter.

How much do turkeys eat per day?

Heritage turkeys will eat 73 pounds of feed by 28 weeksHeritage Turkey Age (in weeks)Total Pounds Of Feed (per poult for 2 weeks)Daily Pounds Of Feed (per poult per day)9-103.54.2511-124.32.3113-145.48.415-165.68.4110 more rows

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 do turkeys eat?

In the wild turkeys eat insects, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, plants, and small vertebrate animals. Acorns are a particular favorite during the wintertime when other food sources are scarce. Wild turkeys will use their feet, like chickens do, to scratch up worms, snails, and seeds to the surface.

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.

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!

When to start feeding chickens a low protein diet?

At around 5 weeks of age you can start feeding a lower protein feed. Typically, this type of feed is found in feed stores called a “grower” feed. Traditional chick starter (the kind sold for chickens) also has this protein level if you are unable to find a turkey or game bird specific product at your feed store.

When can turkeys start eating game bird feed?

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. As far as commercial poultry feeds go, typically the lower the total percentage protein in the feed, the less expensive it is.

What is the best food for a turkey?

Plus, corn contributes to weight gain but typically results in birds gaining fat and not muscle. Oats have a protein level of 11 – 14% and are one of the best feed to turkeys. It is good to offer your turkeys a variety of grains to encourage them to eat more.

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.

How to fatten up a turkey?

Some efficient methods that can be used to ensure a fattened, juicy meal are adding corn and oats to your turkeys’ diets, giving them high protein feed, and keeping feed located in one place . It is advised to use a 30% protein gamebird feed for fattening up a turkey.

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.

Can turkeys eat alfalfa hay?

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. Plus, corn contributes to weight gain but typically results in birds gaining fat and not muscle.

What to feed a turkey?

Here are some common snacks often offered to turkeys: 1 Watermelon#N#This is an excellent summertime treat to offer your turkeys as it can help keep them hydrated even on the hottest days. All parts of the watermelon are safe to feed your turkeys, including the flesh, seeds, and rind. 2 Apples#N#Most turkeys love apples and will enjoy pecking at them cubed or sliced. Seeds should be removed if possible, but small amounts of seed ingested on occasion are not dangerous to your birds. Applesauce is a great snack option for young birds as well! 3 Peas#N#This is probably going to be the table scrap your turkeys enjoy the most! Peas are a healthy snack to offer your birds and can be offered dried, cooked, or frozen. You can even mix peas into your regular feed ration for extra protein! 4 Spinach#N#If you really want to offer spinach to your turkeys as an occasional treat or snack, doing so in small amounts is fine. Spinach can block the absorption of calcium, leading to bone density issues over the long term if fed in abundance.

What is the best food for turkeys?

Many custom rations for turkeys include a variety of grains and seeds, including: Corn. While corn is not the most nutritious food on its own, it can be a great option for providing fat and overall energy. This can be especially useful in the winter, so corn is common in most winter rations.

Why do turkeys need extra food?

Providing a little extra food in addition to their normal ration can help save on feed costs while ensuring nothing goes to waste. Turkeys, like most poultry, will readily accept scraps and leftovers, but as their caretaker, it is up to you to know which foods are safe for your flock.

How to attract wild turkeys to your property?

Diversity is key when trying to attract wild turkeys to your property. Always be sure to plant multiple choices to help coax turkeys into the area. Additionally, consider seeding the area with ryegrass, oats, sorghum, or corn to provide a well-rounded and lush place for turkeys and other wildlife to visit.

How much protein do turkeys need?

As turkeys grow, their protein requirements change. Young turkeys require around 28% protein from the start to ensure they grow quickly and safely.

What do turkeys eat?

Their exact diet depends on the season and available food and their age and stage in life. Turkeys eat insects, snails, slugs, lizards, snakes, and grasshoppers. They enjoy nuts, acorns, seeds (including many wild weed seeds), corn, grain, and peas. They eat berries, flowers, bulbs, foliage, and fruit.

What to avoid feeding turkeys?

Regardless of how abundant these scraps may be around your farm, these are some of the most common foods to avoid feeding turkeys: Uncooked Beans.

What should you not feed turkeys?

Maybe, what you are about to feed your birds is not the right food for them. So, what are some of the foods you should never give to your turkeys?

Raw meat

Meat is a favorite food among humans and a good source of protein. However, to your turkeys it is opposite. Raw meat contains some bacteria like salmonella that can cause health issues to turkeys.

Chicken feed

It may sound strange to say that chicken feed is not good for turkeys while both birds are all poultry. Something you should know is that turkeys have high protein requirements than chicken as they are large in size.

Raw beans

Whether just few or much, raw beans should never be fed to your turkeys. They can lead to severe poisoning which may lead to death.

Livestock feed

Manufactured concentrates for livestock is not good for turkeys. These kinds of feeds do not contain nutrients in balanced portions per the requirements of turkeys.

Onions

Onions are on the list of a no foods to your turkeys. They contain a toxin that can destroy red blood cells in turkeys.

Junk food

Junk foods are very unhealthy to turkeys just like they are to humans as they contribute to obesity and overweight. Birds fed on such foods get too heavy and unhealthy developing leg and back problems.

Can turkeys eat chicken feed?

It is not recommended to provide the turkeys with chicken feed. It has low proteins and minerals. Besides, to produce more meat on a turkey, you need to provide high nutrient foods to the flock of turkeys. Also, due to the low immunity of turkeys, the chicken feed cannot prevent the upcoming flu.

Can turkeys eat the medicated chicken food?

It is always recommended to avoid chicken feed as well as medicated chicken feed for turkeys. But in case of emergency or unavailability of appropriate feed for turkey, the chicken feed can be provided for turkey.

Is chicken feed bad for turkey?

Chicken feed is not bad for turkeys but it is not recommended for them. Turkeys are large so they need more foods, that contain more nutrition and a balanced diet for them.

What does a turkey diet require?

turkeys need a good portion of food for their daily meal. It must contain important elements such as protein, minerals, probiotics, vitamins, and calcium.