What to feed 7 mo old turkeys?

[Sally8]

I used to keep my 2 turkeys with my chickens and fed them all the same. Layers crumbles, scratch grain and sprouted sunflower seeds. Some place I read where turkeys require more protein. What does anyone feed? Thanks. Sue

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I feed all my flock turkey and chickens a mix of 18% unmedicated starter and gamebird crumbles mixed together. Of course they get scratch grains too. I have a mixed age flock so I dont feed layer with the extra calcium so I just provide calcium on the side. Yes they do need added protein.

How are you sprouting sunflower seeds?, I have been interested in this.

 

[Sally8]

I feed all my flock turkey and chickens a mix of 18% unmedicated starter and gamebird crumbles mixed together. Of course they get scratch grains too. I have a mixed age flock so I dont feed layer with the extra calcium so I just provide calcium on the side. Yes they do need added protein.

How are you sprouting sunflower seeds?, I have been interested in this.

I take 4 - 6 cups of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and soak them in water over night. Then I use my kitchen colander and rinse thoroughly, place the colander on something so it doesn't' leak all over and cover with a clean dish towel and place on the counter. Twice a day I rinse well and whenever I think of it I will take my hand and kind of stir it up, without rinsing.by the 3rd full day it's ready. Once the sprout gets 1/2 in long it will turn brown if you try to let it grow longer. I tried planting it in a little dirt once to try to get a few leaves but the cats thought it was a litter box. Haven't tried again. I do this every 3rd day or so. It's very warm in my house because I heat with a wood stove.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I take 4 - 6 cups of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds and soak them in water over night. Then I use my kitchen colander and rinse thoroughly, place the colander on something so it doesn't' leak all over and cover with a clean dish towel and place on the counter. Twice a day I rinse well and whenever I think of it I will take my hand and kind of stir it up, without rinsing.by the 3rd full day it's ready. Once the sprout gets 1/2 in long it will turn brown if you try to let it grow longer. I tried planting it in a little dirt once to try to get a few leaves but the cats thought it was a litter box. Haven't tried again. I do this every 3rd day or so. It's very warm in my house because I heat with a wood stove.

That sounds so much simpler than other methods I have read. Thank you so much. I am currently begining FF.

 

[Sally8]

That sounds so much simpler than other methods I have read. Thank you so much. I am currently begining FF.

You will love the ff. I ferment the same way. I use 2small paint buckets drilling holes in one. Fill it half full with layers crumbles and scratch grain, fill on up with water and a splash of vinegar. It usually is fermenting the next day. I lift the one pail and put something under and let it drain. After feeding, I replace with what I figure I took out and it's ready the next morning, bubbling away. Remember, my house is warmer. I love it! When I tried to ferment in a 5 gal bucket, the dog pulled it off the step by the woodstove and it went all over the living room carpet. We are replacing the carpet. What a mess and smell.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

You will love the ff. I ferment the same way. I use 2small paint buckets drilling holes in one. Fill it half full with layers crumbles and scratch grain, fill on up with water and a splash of vinegar. It usually is fermenting the next day. I lift the one pail and put something under and let it drain. After feeding, I replace with what I figure I took out and it's ready the next morning, bubbling away. Remember, my house is warmer. I love it! When I tried to ferment in a 5 gal bucket, the dog pulled it off the step by the woodstove and it went all over the living room carpet. We are replacing the carpet. What a mess and smell.

Wonderful, mine is ready and I am giving it tomorrow to see if they like it before I make a large batch. do you always use UPACV? Do you add vinegar each time to replace what you took out? I was thinking that the nice fermented stuff that comes out when you drain should have a good amount of bacteia to get the next batch started?

 

[Sally8]

Wonderful, mine is ready and I am giving it tomorrow to see if they like it before I make a large batch. do you always use UPACV? Do you add vinegar each time to replace what you took out? I was thinking that the nice fermented stuff that comes out when you drain should have a good amount of bacteia to get the next batch started?

I only put in the ACV in the beginning. Each time after that I only add water. But because I keep mine in such a warm place, I only keep mine going for 4 - 5 days, then I start all over. You'll know if you need more vinegar if it isn't bubbling when you stir it. I can't tell by the smell as it always smells bad to me. lol it is more convenient for me to make the small batches. I was just reading over on the Natural Chicken Keeping thread, that someone keeps several different pails going, uses the first, stirring the rest, just keeps cycling them. I only have the 18 chickens and 2 turkeys.

edited to say that mine did not like it in the beginning. I think I used too much vinegar in the beginning. I backed off on the amount and slowly increased until I got what I thought I should use. Sue

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I only put in the ACV in the beginning. Each time after that I only add water. But because I keep mine in such a warm place, I only keep mine going for 4 - 5 days, then I start all over. You'll know if you need more vinegar if it isn't bubbling when you stir it. I can't tell by the smell as it always smells bad to me. lol it is more convenient for me to make the small batches. I was just reading over on the Natural Chicken Keeping thread, that someone keeps several different pails going, uses the first, stirring the rest, just keeps cycling them. I only have the 18 chickens and 2 turkeys.

edited to say that mine did not like it in the beginning. I think I used too much vinegar in the beginning. I backed off on the amount and slowly increased until I got what I thought I should use. Sue

Do you always use acv with the mother? I saw someone say they have used regulay acv and brown sugar. I have 50chickens and 2 turkey and more coming when they hatch so if I can get everyone into it then I might need to do a bigger amount. This is just a test run. When I fed it yesterday evening teh younger group drived on in and the older group kinda stared at it as if it were garbage. I had a few try it and then one by one they all tried it, that at least is hopeful that I can add this to their diet.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I use a game bird feed that has 26% protein.

 

[CluckAcres]

My turkeys eat anything the chickens do. I throw peanuts out for them (shelled) as a treat and that gives them little extra protein.