We have a broody hen who is happily fostering six chicks and three teensy turkeys. At the moment, they are all on starter feed and grit designed for the chicks. I was told at the feed store that the turkeys would be find on the chick started for a bit (they were out of turkey starter), but that they would need more protein, thus the different type of food. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to approach feeding, since momma hen is fostering them all together? Can I feed the turkey starter to the chicks, or maybe mix the two together? Thank you.
I asked a feed expert about this recently. Here is what I was told: Get the highest protein feed you can. Check the label on the feed for the protein content. If the feed is not 28% to 30%, supplement it with crushed up had boiled eggs. Also, I've been warned that sometimes protein sources don't test out to be true to the labeling information, so it is a good idea to supplement poults with boils eggs even if they are on the high protein feed. I was told "extra" protein won't hurt them, but too little would. If you're very worried about over feeding the chicks, you can segregate the poults when you put down the eggs. In my experience, the poults will eat the eggs very fast. It's fun to watch. Poults are so cute!