Best feed for turkeys

[keepers place]

I am new to turkeys and am having trouble finding information on the best feed for them. I have raised chickens for a few years now. I am getting Bourbon Reds -1 Tom and 2 hens and planning to use them for breeding stock. The breeder has them on 28% protein from a mill in Pennsylvania and suggested that I put them on 24%. We don't have a mill close by so I need to know the best feed.

 

[kengland]

I have had my BR's and NAR's on 24% for almost a year. It's fine. They've grown nice and meaty in 7 months

 

[keepers place]

Thank you

 

[shaninsky]

Where I am they only sell turkey feed to grow and fatten birds for slaughter. I am keeping mine as breeding stock so I need a balanced feed for long term and egg laying. I started a thread about heritage turkey feed and got some good answers.

 

[AmericanMom]

Where I am they only sell turkey feed to grow and fatten birds for slaughter. I am keeping mine as breeding stock so I need a balanced feed for long term and egg laying. I started a thread about heritage turkey feed and got some good answers.

I feed both my BR's ( I also have 1 tom and 2 hens) and my large flock of chickens on an all Purpose feed, It is 22% protein... The turkeys are now nearly 6 months old, the male I would guess is around 15 pounds , I could be wrong, its my husband that picks him up

I wanted my Turkeys on a good feed that would meet their needs but not allow them to grow out to fast, I am also using these three for breeding. They also free range and I have found they do very well that way, they don't go through a lot of feed at all

 

[deserthotwings]

I have Eastern Wild Turkeys and feed them Purina Game Bird Chow @ 30% the same as I use for all my quail, chukars and pheasants. After reading these posts I'm wondering if I should be using a lower protein. Any ideas ?

 

[keepers place]

I found a poultry nutritionists from the University of Florida who runs a feed mill about an hour and a half from me. Hopefully I will be able talk to him this week and will let you know what he said.

 

[shaninsky]

I wanted Purina Game Bird Chow and I found a bag in Canada but the protein isn't that high. I think it's 20%. I'm curious to see what the nutritionist says. Purina has a nutritionist for horses here who does consultations for free but nobody for turkeys

 

[shaninsky]

I finally got a reply from Purina Canada. See below.

Hi Shannon,

Thank you for your recent Purina Web inquiry regarding our Golden Layena product. This product will be fine for a maintenance ration for your Turkey breeding flock, especially during egg production (higher level of calcium). When they are not laying the Golden Harvest product could also be used. Just monitor their body condition and adjust feeding rates to keep them from becoming over or underweight. We do have the Purinature line as well which is a little cheaper and has a Layer feed. The Golden line is all grain based (no animal proteins), whereas the Purinature line does have animal proteins. I have attached the Golden and Purinature feed lines so you can review. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Paul Sloan, M.Sc.
Farmstore Distribution Manager
Agribrands Purina Canada Inc.
Cargill
T.519.365.2763
[email protected] (Please note email address change)

 

[swamperkk]

i see all this high protin feed for turkeys i raise turkeys,burbon reds,and auburn turkeys whole corn is what they like,still lays eggs with not problem.they will eat whatever u give them