What Do Turkeys Eat? Ever Wondered Why Turkeys Are So Big and Delicious?

Is turkey a staple Thanksgiving dinner for your family? Ever wondered why turkeys are so big and delicious when cooked? Is it their food? So what do turkeys eat? After reading this article, you will have armed yourself with more information about how to raise turkeys and what do turkeys eat.

Professional turkey growers usually use different feeders to give their birds. They have four different feeders as the birds grow from day-old to market; these are pre-starter, starter, grower and finisher. Most commercial growers attest that using four different feeds coupled with good management practices often yield better results.

Some producers usually make use of a good green pasture to grow their turkeys. They use the following program for their small flock of turkeys. During the first eight weeks, they follow the traditional feeding formula. After eight weeks, the turkeys' diet should provide at least 20-21% protein. When the birds reach 14 weeks of age, they can be fed with small grains together with the commercial feeders. The grains should be made available for the birds and should be kept in a separate feed hopper. The small grains can be made up of one or more of these grains: corn, heavy oats, wheat, spelt, barley, or emmer. It is also recommended to buy feed with 28% protein to ensure healthier turkeys.

What do turkeys eat aside from the commercially available fowl pellets? These birds can feed on corn, oats, rye, soybeans and wheat. Turkeys also eat some fruits and vegetables. If they are given access to weeds and grasses, they would feed on them, too. As turkeys grow taller, their necks definitely get longer, it is but wise to build raised feeders and water containers. You might need to use rugged feeders and water containers that don't spill easily. Turkeys become large and strong animals during the last couple of months of their lives. Remember, feed is a very expensive litter.

What do turkeys eat that makes them grow big? The turkeys might grow more slowly if they are fed on a complete, well-balanced commercial feeding program, but the do-it-yourself feeding programs will definitely produce good turkeys if properly followed. The turkeys should just have all the necessary items they need all the time - water, small grains, mash, and good pasture. You'll be surprised what a family adventure it is to raise turkeys and enjoy free range turkey meat as well as the excitement of your consumers eating their first free range turkey.

If you think you still need guidance on what do turkeys eat, consulting existing turkey owners and farmers will certainly be a big help. If you would like to learn more about raising turkeys correctly, please visit: www.howtoraiseturkeys.com