What do you feed your turkeys?

[Motherhenandflock]

What would some of you knowledgeable turkey people do? I've got 2 Bourbon Reds, about 8 weeks old and 3 BB whites that are about 4 weeks old that are still eating chick starter. They will be able to be in the same area in the barn next week. They will be together in the "safe house".

I have 27% turkey starter that I haven't started feeding to anyone. What should I feed all of them since they will be in the same area? The BB will be for pets, not the table. They will have access to the outside covered run. Just weeds out there but at least they can scratch around.

I am totally open for suggestions!

 

[ivan3]

Hi, again! We used Gamebird Starter. Use the high protein on all of them immediately (developmental need). The BBW's should be cut back when they reach maturity since you're keeping them for pets (a rationed diet will keep them from collapsing under their own weight - or worse). Our chooks get a mix of Layena/Gamebird flight conditioner (along with meal worms and hard boiled eggs), the turks get straight Flight Conditioner along with the goodies.

 

[Motherhenandflock]

Senior moment with typing. I realized my first post I have the BB will be pets. No way, they will be in the freezer for the holidays. The Bourbon Reds are my little children. I wasn't sure what a happy medium would be for both. I realize those BBwhites get so big they can barely move. I would like to try a lower protein with them to slow down the growth some.

Ivan3: I am planning on covering the outside run with poultry netting. Will that be ok or should I rig up some chicken wire? The existing fence is only about 4 and a half feet tall. Don't want the BRs to literally fly the coop!

 

[ivan3]

Definitely go with flight netting if it is practical. That way you won't find them on the roof.

Oh! (senior moment myself). If they fly up into chicken wire they could get caught and choke to death. We used chicken wire as fencing seperating the chook/turk runs - when our toms were still kinda little jakes, they were doing a bit of sparring and I had to go cut our big Slate free (snood and most of his head stuck - he was miffed, and an easy target for the other two guys)! Switched over to welded wire fencing on this section, as well.