Turkey Poults Not Eating Much

[Rose66]

I've got eight poults that are eight weeks old. They are on and have always been on Purina Gamebird 30% protein. They are in a 14x14 tractor by themselves and have been since they were about four weeks old. My concern is that they just do not eat much feed. In the eight weeks I've had them, I just opened their fourth bag of food a few days ago and it's still full. Over a week ago I filled up their 7lb feeder and today they still have 1/4 of it left. Does their eating sound normal? They are growing and acting normal.

Thanks.

 

[retlaw]

 

[kuntrygirl]

Excellent Chart!

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Maybe it depends on the breed. My 25 Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys eat a lot! And that's exactly what the charts of commercial turkey production say they do. They went through the predicted 250 lbs (10 lbs each) of starter feed in the first 8 weeks, and then some.

I'm not sure about the slower-growing heritage breeds.

Turkeys are pretty good at foraging. You say they are in a tractor ... are they on fresh pasture daily? They can get a good percentage of their diet from pasture (more than chickens, anyway). Mine are on pasture, though they didn't show too much interest in seriously eating the grass until they were about 8 weeks old. They are maybe 10 weeks old now, and will be needing to be moved from the brooder pasture to the bigger pasture soon.

How are your turkeys growing?

Do you "shake" the feeder at least a couple times per day? My turkeys are super social, and always want a meal when I come by and shake the feeders for them.