Turkey feed Question

[R2elk]

Okay, I have raised turkeys on non medicated chick starter, they have turned out fine, I have seen no difference between chick and game bird as far as outcome, this year I went with the chick starter again, they are fine. I would not use layer ever for turkeys.

A simple experiment will very easily disprove your belief that there is no difference between using chick starter and turkey or gamebird starter. Set up 2 separate brooders and put the same age poults in the 2 brooders. Feed the poults in one brooder chick starter and feed the poults in the second brooder turkey or gamebird starter that is at least 28% protein. You will see the difference.

What is your unscientific basis for not wanting to use layer feed for turkeys?

I have been raising turkeys for nearly 30 years. My turkeys use the same run and coop as my chickens. I feed all of the adults a quality 16% layer feed along with free choice oyster shell. My adult turkey hens are doing better since I switched from gamebird maintenance to layer feed about 10 years ago.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Okay, but I should have added all my birds including the poults free range for part of the day, and have access to more than just the feed. I don't feed layer because I believe the excess calcium can be bad for the toms, I've seen my roosters who eat lay not live as long as the the roosters not eating it, as my turkeys are mostly eat candy and not meat candy I want them to live as long as possible. And feeding game bird might grow them faster, but they all end up in the same place, just my observations.

 

[R2elk]

Okay, but I should have added all my birds including the poults free range for part of the day, and have access to more than just the feed. I don't feed layer because I believe the excess calcium can be bad for the toms, I've seen my roosters who eat lay not live as long as the the roosters not eating it, as my turkeys are mostly eat candy and not meat candy I want them to live as long as possible. And feeding game bird might grow them faster, but they all end up in the same place, just my observations.

It is very possible that you have extra calcium in your soil which could make the layer feed affect your roosters. At this time there are no scientific studies that show any harmful effect on roosters from the small amount of calcium in layer feed. This statement was posted by @ozexpat on his thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ck-out-of-here-a-diary-of-a-crazy-chicken-man. I have seen anecdotal reports that extra calcium has had detrimental effects on roosters. I live on a sand dune. There is no excess calcium in my "soil" and layer feed has not shown any harmful effects on any of my roosters or toms including the tom that was taken by a predator when he was at least 11 years old.

Depriving the poults or guinea keets of the needed protein especially during their first two weeks can lead to long term effects on their bodies which are not visible to the eyes. I am aware of the proven fact that guineas that are raised on chicken feed very often fail to get as large as those that are raised properly. I have seen no reason to believe that this doesn't also happen with turkeys. Malnourished children never grow up to their full potential, this also happens among animals that are not given the proper nutrition during their youth.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Okay, not gonna change my opinion anymore than I will change yours, just wanted to let people know my poults didn't shrivel up and die being fed chick starter, and I had just stated that I never gave them layer, you could be right, this works for me, I like a more natural old fashioned approach to poultry, certainly birds in the wild don't have access to bagged feed, mine seem to be doing fine, thank you though.

 

[hyelaw]

I did alot more research and my turkeys are eating chick crumbles, and I grind floating catfish food to combine. It becomes 28% protien. Mine did very nicely on it. My 2nd turkey baby crew is on it now, and they are also going great on it.

I used a high protein chick starter and amended with brewer's yeast, fish meal, peas, lentils, and meal worms to get it to 28%. They are thriving. But they are at the age they don't need baby feed anymore. I did lots of research for the chicks, and am happy with their progress but now they are older and I'm a little stuck as to what to do next.

 

[hyelaw]

I like a more natural old fashioned approach to poultry

So do I! Which is why I chose a feed that is soy and corn free. I know that's what everyone else uses and it works for them, but I know 200 years ago poultry were raised just fine without it. I guess I've made up my mind that is will be okay to give them the chicken feed, but I will get both 1 bag of each grower and layer and mix them together to lower the calcium.

I'll give them this until I'm confident enough to start making my own, which is what I'd rather be doing.

Thanks!

 

[ozexpat]

It is very possible that you have extra calcium in your soil which could make the layer feed affect your roosters. At this time there are no scientific studies that show any harmful effect on roosters from the small amount of calcium in layer feed. This statement was posted by @ozexpat on his thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ck-out-of-here-a-diary-of-a-crazy-chicken-man. I have seen anecdotal reports that extra calcium has had detrimental effects on roosters. I live on a sand dune. There is no excess calcium in my "soil" and layer feed has not shown any harmful effects on any of my roosters or toms including the tom that was taken by a predator when he was at least 11 years old.

Depriving the poults or guinea keets of the needed protein especially during their first two weeks can lead to long term effects on their bodies which are not visible to the eyes. I am aware of the proven fact that guineas that are raised on chicken feed very often fail to get as large as those that are raised properly. I have seen no reason to believe that this doesn't also happen with turkeys. Malnourished children never grow up to their full potential, this also happens among animals that are not given the proper nutrition during their youth.

The high calcium diets should only be feed to mature birds. It will be detrimental to birds that are not at point of lay. Its is rare for an adult rooster to be hurt by a calcium intake 4-6 times their need.

High protein is critical in young poults and keets, Chick starter diets will delay growth, sexual maturity and egg production. During the first six weeks they really need to be sperated from chicks as their diet needs are quite different. As time progresses, their needs converge.

We make our own feeds from corn, ricebran, soy, fish meal and copra meal, along with crushed oyster shells, a vitamin and mineral admix and a mycotoxin nutralizing compound.

The following is a photo of birds nutritional needs at various ages and our mixes. The protein requirements are actually less than most byc recommendations but poults, keets and gamebird chicks are aprox 40% higher than chicks. All our feeds have an emphisis in essential amino acids and lysine levels are well above requirements. We feed our birds a higher calcium than recommended but we adjust it to keep the Ca ratio at 2 in non layer feeds for chickens.

 

[hyelaw]

Is this the Cocofeed I read about? Unfortunately it's not for sale to the public. Lysine is important for turkeys and guineas? This is finally the info I've been looking for! Vitamins and Minerals were my original question. Calcium and protein I'm less worried about because there is more information about them.

I have a lysine supplement for cats, is this okay to feed to poultry? And if so, suggested amount? Or is there sufficient enough amount in certain grains and beans additional is not required.

 

[ozexpat]

Is this the Cocofeed I read about? Unfortunately it's not for sale to the public. Lysine is important for turkeys and guineas? This is finally the info I've been looking for! Vitamins and Minerals were my original question. Calcium and protein I'm less worried about because there is more information about them.

I have a lysine supplement for cats, is this okay to feed to poultry? And if so, suggested amount? Or is there sufficient enough amount in certain grains and beans additional is not required.

you should not need to feed additional lysine if you are feeding a bag feed.

any quality age/stage feed will have everything your birds need. most additives are not necessary and a waste of money

once every two weeks (prior to shipping day) i give my birds a probiotic/vit/min in their water. same for times of stress such as illness or vaccination

 

[hyelaw]

you should not need to feed additional lysine if you are feeding a bag feed.

any quality age/stage feed will have everything your birds need. most additives are not necessary and a waste of money

So, I take that to mean all the vitamins and minerals are generic and all-purpose across the board? No special needs for chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, etc.

I find that a little hard to believe.