| Is turkey a staple Thanksgiving dinner for your | | | | these grains: corn, heavy oats, wheat, spelt, barley, |
| family? Ever wondered why turkeys are so big and | | | | or emmer. It is also recommended to buy feed with |
| delicious when cooked? Is it their food? So what do | | | | 28% protein to ensure healthier turkeys. |
| turkeys eat? | | | | What do turkeys eat aside from the commercially |
| After reading this article, you will have armed | | | | available fowl pellets? These birds can feed on corn, |
| yourself with more information about what do | | | | oats, rye, soybeans and wheat. Turkeys also eat |
| turkeys eat. | | | | some fruits and vegetables. If they are given access |
| Professional turkey growers usually use different | | | | to weeds and grasses, they would feed on them, |
| feeders to give their birds. They have four different | | | | too. |
| feeders as the birds grow from day-old to market; | | | | As turkeys grow taller, their necks definitely get |
| these are pre-starter, starter, grower and finisher. | | | | longer, it is but wise to build raised feeders and |
| Most commercial growers attest that using four | | | | water containers. You might need to use rugged |
| different feeds coupled with good management | | | | feeders and water containers that don't spill easily. |
| practices often yield better results. | | | | Turkeys become large and strong animals during the |
| Some producers usually make use of a good green | | | | last couple of months of their lives. Remember, feed |
| pasture to grow their turkeys. They use the | | | | is a very expensive litter. |
| following program for their small flock of turkeys. | | | | What do turkeys eat that makes them grow big? |
| During the first eight weeks, they follow the | | | | The turkeys might grow more slowly if they are fed |
| traditional feeding formula. After eight weeks, the | | | | on a complete, well-balanced commercial feeding |
| turkeys' diet should provide at least 20-21% protein. | | | | program, but the do-it-yourself feeding programs will |
| When the birds reach 14 weeks of age, they can be | | | | definitely produce good turkeys if properly followed. |
| fed with small grains together with the commercial | | | | The turkeys should just have all the necessary items |
| feeders. The grains should be made available for the | | | | they need all the time - water, small grains, mash, |
| birds and should be kept in a separate feed hopper. | | | | and good pasture. |
| The small grains can be made up of one or more of | | | | |