Now I have them what do I feed them

[Appylover]

The lady I got them from just feeds them chicken feed. But I want to make sure this is OK for my big tasty birds. They are BBW's and I want to keep them as healthy as I can but also slow the growth down until closer to this fall. Im not exactly sure on their age but they are about 3 foot tall and not very meaty yet. I figure they weigh in around 10-15 pounds.

 

[Arielle]

BBW are fast grwoing meat birds that require high protein feed. Chicken feed is too low in protein and will not support the growth that BBW were bred for.

I use a 22% turkey pellet. If you can find the 28% turkey feed, that may be better for 10-15# birds that are malnourished.

Turkey feed can also be called gamebird, or pheasant pellets. THe key is the % protein and it's for poultry.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Arielle......... If you are running a mixed flock of turkeys (heritage) and chickens, can you mix the 20% chicken feed with the 28% game bird feed?

 

[Arielle]

Yes.

FYI--More cost effective to separate the two. Or just feed the 28% to all.

 

[Appylover]

Thanks. I will get them the 28% then because I live in a limited space area. I have to put the turkeys in my dog kennel and thats not very secure at night from what ever may be brave enough to eat two larg turkeys. Will the 28% hurt my laying hens?

 

[frank53061]

BBW are fast grwoing meat birds that require high protein feed. Chicken feed is too low in protein and will not support the growth that BBW were bred for.

I use a 22% turkey pellet. If you can find the 28% turkey feed, that may be better for 10-15# birds that are malnourished.

Turkey feed can also be called game bird, or pheasant pellets. THe key is the % protein and it's for poultry.

This is what I did with my Poults I fed the game bird starter till10 weeks and I started to mix laying pellets with there feed at 8 weeks and at 10 weeks gave them only laying pellets and they seem to be growing well I have bourbon reds.

This is the first year for me to raise Turkeys so its a learning experience.
I have been to 3 feed stores and they don't sell turkey feed of any kind and my guy at my feed store said laying pellets would be just fine.
I do feed my chickens and turkeys table scraps meat bread fruit nothing goes to wast .
My birds also free range from time to time.
I was told it was a good idea to give Chickens and Turkeys Scratch feed a grain mix with also the laying pellets during the cold months this helps keep there body temps up.

Arielle when you say meat birds are you talking about all Turkeys or just the double breasted ones.
I know the double breasted Turkeys grow so much faster and bigger than the others.
Thanks for the information I try to learn a little more each day.

 

[Appylover]

These guys are not meaty but they have no breast bone showing or easy to feel. I have them on a laying crumble thats what my chickens eat. I also feed what ever I can out of the fridge. They get all the scraps they can eat and all the feed. I also let them free range when I can. They of course went from 5 acreas to my little tiny chicken pen. I want whats best for the big guys before they become dinner so maybe pick up a few bags of turkey feed or what ever.

 

[Arielle]

Thanks. I will get them the 28% then because I live in a limited space area. I have to put the turkeys in my dog kennel and thats not very secure at night from what ever may be brave enough to eat two larg turkeys. Will the 28% hurt my laying hens?

We all have limited space it seems. It's worth having the different types of feeds because they are formulated for fulfilling different needs.

Layers, if they are at POL or actually laying need a lot of calcium to make a strong shell for every egg she lays. 28% protein is a low calcium pellet designed for the growing turkey or gamebird. Not for the layer. IF you want to use the 28%protein feed, the layer hens must have oyster shells available at all times. I also microwave the eggshells, crush them and drop into feed pans.

I suggest you have another fence around the turkeys to protect them more. If a raccoon can reach in, it could hurt your turkeys. Coyotes might be able to knock the kennel over and the turkeys get hurt that way.
Y ou will want to research more on how to protect your flock, even if its just the 2, from predators.

 

[Arielle]

These guys are not meaty but they have no breast bone showing or easy to feel. I have them on a laying crumble thats what my chickens eat. I also feed what ever I can out of the fridge. They get all the scraps they can eat and all the feed. I also let them free range when I can. They of course went from 5 acreas to my little tiny chicken pen. I want whats best for the big guys before they become dinner so maybe pick up a few bags of turkey feed or what ever.

Layer has too much calcium for the big birds. THe larger birds eat more feed and get more calcium for the bone development. THe layers need 3-4% calcium to make that egg shell. Layer is ok short term, but definitely do not keep feeding layer pellets. THe turkeys and other birds will get bone problems and other organ issues and become unhealthy. So great that you can pick up a few bags of turkey feed. DId you know turkeys used to be range fed, so think about all those grass clippings, and exercise is a must; keeps them healthy and putting on muscle. GOod luck.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: Turkeys in general need a higher protein than a smaller chicken--and here I'm referring to final body weight as an adult. THe Broad breasted types grow so super fast that to feed them 28% protein feed will result in a very large bird ready to eat in 4-5 months. THe heritage turkeys are slower grwoing so after the first few months 28 % is wasteful; the heritage reach market size at about 8 months. Double the time. So I feed 22 % which is less expensive than the 28%.

Again, layer pellets is NOT suitable for the growing turkey. I do feed layer to my turkey hens that are laying, mixed with the 22% turkey feed. Calcium is TOO HIGH for a growing turkey. BOne problems and internal organ problems will result in an unhealthy bird.

Push a little harder with your grain store; they should be able to get turkey or pheasant pellets. You are the customer, stand your ground. Do you have another grain store you can work with?

Otherwise, chick crumbles are better than layer pellets.

THere are many knowledgeable turkey people here; and someone else may have another solution.