Food for Turkeys

[RanchGirl13]

Hi I just recently got 8 rio grande turkeys and was wondering what types of food I could give them.

 

[ivan3]

How old are they? What appears to be their overall condition? What had been their regular ration prior to your acquisition?

If the question is more related to augmentation of regular feed: Black Oil Sunflower Seeds are appreciated.

 

[RanchGirl13]

well they are about 2-3 months old I think. they were in wire cages so their feathers were a little messed up but they are starting to look normal and what he fed them I am not inteirly sure

 

[ivan3]

If the Purina Gamebird feed is available in your area I'd probably give them the 30% Startena for half of feed mixed with the 19% Flight Conditioner, initially (just to cover any potential previous inadequacies in diet).

Doesn't have to be Purina (other game bird lines are available). http://wildlife.purinamills.com/products/default.aspx (just scroll down to Game Bird).

Nice looking turks.

 

[RanchGirl13]

thanks and i dont think we have any gamebird feed available

 

[ivan3]

Get a bag of Chick starter if that is available and mix that with what you're already feeding your chooks. These guys require more protein, early on, overall.

Check out Chapter 4 in this turkey manual: http://www.albc-usa.org/downloads.html

To get even more specific: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=2114&page=35

A lot of folks just use the chicken feed and do O.K., so I'd not be too concerned.

Best of luck!

Ed: Also, they are coming off of wire onto the ground (immune system is still getting up to speed, so any threat/insult could be magnified). If you didn't quarantine, and they are the ground with chooks, get some Safe Guard (Fenbendazole) broad spectrum wormer and dose all your poultry.

If you are getting plenty of eggs from chooks, growing turks glom down scrambled eggs (protein).