What to feed turkey to gain more weight?

[junkprospector]

I'm wondering what type of feed i should be feeding my BBB tom to gain weight, or if he should be gaining more weight than he is... currently he is gaining approximately 1 lb per week on a 1/2 flock raiser feed, 1/2 cracked corn mix. he is 23 weeks and about 27 pounds in weight. Does that seem about right as far as weight gain?

his weight gain has been:
week 1-18 growth rate: 1.22 lbs/wk
week 19-21 growth rate: 1.15 lbs/wk
week 19-23 growth rate: 1 lb/wk

i'd like to get him back up to a higher growth rate... it seems like at the 19 week mark i switch him to the 50/50 blend...

so did i just answer my own question? get him on a 100% feed rather than a 50/50 split?

 

[kuntrygirl]

30% protein feed works for my turkeys.

 

[junkprospector]

do you just give them straight feed or a 50/50 blend?

 

[racinchickins]

Check your feed label to see what %age protein you have. By adding the cracked corn, you are probably reducing the protein percentage, which would slow down weight gain.

 

[chicken pickin]

I give my turkeys and meat chickens straight feed. I never understood the purpose of the 50/50. My last years BBW tom was 27lbs after process and he was processed at 20 weeks old the BBW hen of the same age and feed the same was 17lbs after process. I fed them a Turkey starter then switched to a Turkey Grower then last wasTurkey grower/finisher.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Check your feed label to see what %age protein you have.  By adding the cracked corn, you are probably reducing the protein percentage, which would slow down weight gain.

That is correct on reducing the protein. I give mine straight feed no corn.

 

[Arielle]

Corn is only 8% protein-- it is an energy feed, not a growth feed. Your boy will make much faster gain if fed a high protein feed. 30% if you can get it to make up on the gain. OTherwise whatever the highest protein available. If you can get a grain with animal protein, you will have better results.

 

[Celie]

Corn will also put on a lot of FAT, not meat. Meat is muscle and comes from Protein! With BB turkeys, you have to be careful they do not gain too much weight too fast, or they can have leg and heart trouble. I found a 28% turkey or game bird worked best with grass and veggies. When I raised them at 3 years old they weighted over 80 pounds and were still tender, just too big and I fed half 28% protein and half fresh veggies and fruit from the organic garden. When they were young, I had to restrict their feed intake to 12 hours with a feeder, 12 hours without!

 

[Arielle]

My male BBWs dressed out at 35# at 5 months ( delay due to butcher is well booked in the fall, lol) I fed 22% the entire time, and put them on pasture during the day as well. In the end they only lay down , ate and moved from coop to 6 feet away. Mine were destined for the freezer, not long term.

 

[junkprospector]

awesome feedback! thanks very much. I'll cut out the corn and get the 30% feed back into his system and continue to track his progress. Thanks very much again everyone!