New Turkey mom!!

[rubyrogue]

Well sorta. I got my first 3 turkeys today. Two broad breasted bronze and a broad breasted white. I stuck them under my totally awesome broody hen who has been waiting patiently for 4 weeks to become a momma. She raised 6 pullets up for me last year and is the most awesome mom. She tucked them all under her and gave a good lecture to the white who looks to be the trouble maker of the group and wanted to run around even though it was only 60* out. I watched them all eat and drink then left momma to her duties. I am feeding an 18% all flock which the feedstore told me was fine they just would not grow as fast. This is what I feed all my birds ( ducks and chickens) Is that okay? Or do they really need the higher protein? Any and all help greatly appreciated.

 

[ColbyNTX]

It will keep them alive but BB turkeys need the higher protein. How soon do you plan on butchering them?

 

[rubyrogue]

I can go get the higher protein. Is it okay for my hen and ducks to eat that high of a protein too? She is a chicken hen not a turkey hen. I have pasture fenced off for them once they are bigger with lots of legumes planted. I plan on butchering when they get to about the size that will fit in my oven. lol however long that may take them. I know the research i have done says that would be around 20weeks but that is on the higher protein, so if they take longer that's fine i am not in a hurry for them to grow. I wanted heritage breeds but these are the only two breeds my feedstore gets in.

 

[MissTurkey4]

Turkeys have a different minreal and vitamin need than chickens. A example is Turkey gamebird starter has 4 times more calcium for strong legs than chicken feed.

Your chicken would do fine on Turkey feed. If your duck is a young baby, I would not let them eat turkey feed until the wings are developed to avoid angel wings. After that it is not a big deal other than it makes them fat and they might not lay as well as a result. My duck get turkey starter and pasture.