A century of Turkey talk 2000-2100.

[MontainBourbons]

With 60 birds I would think the feed folks would order what you want.

I don't have any special feed store really. I just make a trip down to Boise every month or two. I am going again in 2 weeks. I'll just try to substitute protein in for a while. I only have a hardware store that charges $22 bucks a bag for cheap food. Max is 22% protein, it is what I am using right now.

 

[BantyChooks]

Is really cheap cat food OK? Also I live in a small town of 3000. I bet that there are only 3-4 people with turkeys here. Most likely I am the biggest breeder in the whole town with my 60 birds.

And here I thought 2,000 was large.

 

[feedman77]

I think my town is down to 1700. Was 4500 about 15 years ago.

Businesses left. So did the people.

Just old farming town now.

 

[memphis]

Ste. Genevieve is at around 4000 folks. The whole town is being considered for National Park Status by the Federal Government. Besides being the oldest town west of the Mississippi, we have these 200 year old vertical log houses.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I just switched my turkey's from 18% to 22%. 22% is the highest within 2 hours from where I live. I also gave them some hard boiled egg for extra protein. I didn't notice chicken starter was so much different from turkey.

I know that I am definitely the minority around here but mine eat 18-19% grower (I forget which it is) from hatch till forever. I ferment it year round for them so I don't know if that makes a difference. I never have an issue. It's just easier to feed everyone the same thing and this is what has worked for me.

 

[R2elk]

I just switched my turkey's from 18% to 22%. 22% is the highest within 2 hours from where I live. I also gave them some hard boiled egg for extra protein. I didn't notice chicken starter was so much different from turkey.

Giving them hard boiled eggs is fine but it is not increasing their protein intake. Hard boiled eggs are around 12% protein.

In addition to the higher protein levels, turkey and gamebird starter contains higher amounts of certain specific compounds than chicken starter does. While turkey poults can survive on chick starter especially if it is a high quality chick starter (18% protein is not high quality chick starter) they will not develop properly especially in their internal organs and no amount of high quality feed will make up for it later on. Chicks on the other hand can do very well on a high quality high protein turkey/gamebird starter.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I SO wish that I had my camera tonight when I was closing the turkey coop! I perked in to Pebbles' nest and she had her baby snuggled in, and all 3 of the older poults too! She had her wings or to cover them all and all 3 older poults had their heads buried under her. They all looked like a big fluffy pile of comfort and feathers lol. Of course, they all came out to see me so even if I wanted to run in and get my camera, they would've moved. I'm going to have to carry it with me now.

 

[casportpony]

Did y'all notice Kathy already has that cute baby trained to stand on a scale?

 

[casportpony]

Regarding feed... don't poults need more niacin than chicken chicks?

 

[casportpony]

Quote: I think most cat foods are about 30%.