What to feed turkey to gain more weight?

[kuntrygirl]

Keep us posted on how they grow.

 

[junkprospector]

OK, i got some game bird feed - 22% - that was the highest they had. I'll supplement too with some HB Eggs or something. Should I continue to have the 16% layer pellets available for my chickens and the 22% for the turkey, or just have them all on 22%?

 

[Arielle]

Layers are fine on the 16%. THey eat a lot of feed so this lower %of protein is more economical AND this feed contains the level of calcium necesary to produce hard shells on the eggs.

THe 22% is for the turkeys. HOpefully you can feed them all separately. If not go witht he 22% and also feed oyster shells or similar calcium supplement. In my experience, the hens are slow to make the change over and I get a lot of soft and broken shells until they figure it out: eat BOTH pellets and oyster shells.

 

[Celie]

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.

Arielle, How did you find the taste of the bbw compared to the heritage breeds, raised on the same feed?

 

[chicken pickin]

I know your question was for Arielle but I have raised both and find both the BBW and Heritage to be delicious. Though myself and my family said they noticed a big difference in the juices of the BR(heritage) and they said the gravy made from the BR was the best they have had. I still raise both though.

 

[zekii]

I try to give my group of turkeys chopped hard boiled eggs mixed with yogurt at least once
a day, this should add on some protein. I can only get the 21% turkey grower here.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: I'm not sure I can justifiably compare. THe BBW only ate the commercial pellets for the last 4+ weeks of their lives as they only moved the 6 feet and were not willing to walk the 30 feet to the pasture gate; and my heritage are all over the place: in the woods, in the pasture, in the commercial feed feeders. THe BBW tasted like a grocery store bird, and I was not satisfied with the taste. ONe bird I particularly remember as tasting off. THe same way a grocery store bird can taste sometimes. THe heritage birds, and I've only had a few, are a better flavor IMO.

Long term I am interested in using non-commercial feeds. Just not sure how to make this idea work in a practical sense. Everything I k now is based on commercial feeds.

 

[Arielle]

I try to give my group of turkeys chopped hard boiled eggs mixed with yogurt at least once
a day, this should add on some protein. I can only get the 21% turkey grower here.

If that is what you can get, then that is what you use. I'm sure the youngest turkeys will benefit the most from the extra protein of the eggs, just like eating crickets, and bugs. Certainly the older birds benefit too.

I have not been able to find the 30% protein feed. ANd knowing how fast my BBW grew on the 22%, not sure I would want to use it. I didn't have any leg issues on the 22%.

 

[alphajtwolff]

Hello My boys just started this yr in 4-H and we are doing Turkeys & Chickens what I'm looking for is a spreadsheet for turkey and one for the chickens plus is there a chart saying what weigh my birds should be at. We have bronze turkeys and broiler chickens, If anyone has links or any info please send it my way thank you very much ....

 

[Gobble Gobble fan]

Hi, we are a nonprofit animal sanctuary, and just rescued 25 BB turkeys poults that were dying at the shop. We care about their longevity and happy lives, and actually would like to keep them lean and active. They are 2.5 months old but already started growing breasts. How do we keep them LEAN?
we mix these and feed them twice a day only and let them eat for 1 hr each meal.
1 part 28% protein turkey feed
1 part scratch grains with
1 part 18% protein chicken feed
And fruits and veggies

Any suggestions are very appreciated