Feeding turkeys in a mixed free range flock

[Roccity]

Hi, I'm new to the group and joined because I have turkeys for the first time this year. I do not know the breeds. One is a big white hen, she's 1 year old, and the other 2 are her babies but they are brown and look like wild turkeys. They are about 5 months old. They live happily with my chicken flock and fee range during the day. My question is, they are eating chicken layer feed when they want to and they have access to oyster shells too. Is there anything they will need that I am not supplying right now? I'm especially concerned as I think ahead to winter in western NY where they will not have access to grass and bugs for a long time and will depend on the chicken feed. Right now they are doing very well. The babies are big and strong and chase each other around a lot, so plenty of energy. Mom is the sweetest bird and also doing well, although it's taking time for her feathers to grow back in from being broody months ago, I assume. I just want to keep everyone healthy! Thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Put everyone on an Flock Raiser, Chick Starter, or All Flock type feed? Oyster Shells on the side in a separate feeder for the ladies.

I have a 4ft trough I use for supplemental feeding for our free range turkeys. They get 20% Chick Starter feed 1-2 times a day.

 

[R2elk]

Hi, I'm new to the group and joined because I have turkeys for the first time this year. I do not know the breeds. One is a big white hen, she's 1 year old, and the other 2 are her babies but they are brown and look like wild turkeys. They are about 5 months old. They live happily with my chicken flock and fee range during the day. My question is, they are eating chicken layer feed when they want to and they have access to oyster shells too. Is there anything they will need that I am not supplying right now? I'm especially concerned as I think ahead to winter in western NY where they will not have access to grass and bugs for a long time and will depend on the chicken feed. Right now they are doing very well. The babies are big and strong and chase each other around a lot, so plenty of energy. Mom is the sweetest bird and also doing well, although it's taking time for her feathers to grow back in from being broody months ago, I assume. I just want to keep everyone healthy! Thanks!

Layer feed has too much calcium in it for anything but hens that are laying. Males and youngsters may suffer kidney damage from the excess calcium.

The poults should have access to a high protein turkey or game bird starter. Chick starter does not have the levels of lysine, methionine and niacin they need for proper development.

I feed my mixed flock 20% protein all flock pellets with free choice oyster shell on the side.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Dumor 20% Chick Starter grower has .90% Lysine.

Purina 30% Gamebird, & Turkey Starter Feed has 1.50% Lysine.

 

[R2elk]

Dumor 20% Chick Starter grower has .90% Lysine.

Purina 30% Gamebird, & Turkey Starter Feed has 1.50% Lysine.

That is a huge difference in favor of the Purina feed.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That is a huge difference in favor of the Purina feed.

Dumor is also formulated for Gamebirds, & ducks though. Turkeys have been fine on it.

Just wanted to show content, for feed chosing.

 

[R2elk]

Dumor is also formulated for Gamebirds, & ducks though. Turkeys have been fine on it.
View attachment 3921956

Just wanted to show content, for feed choosing.

Poults need a much higher protein content, higher lysine content, higher methionine content and at least 50 ppm of niacin for their first 6 to 8 weeks of age.

They are not claiming that it is good enough for poults, game birds or keets.

I wouldn't feed it to the 6 week old poults that they claim it is good enough for.

 

[MrsNorthie]

Layer feed has too much calcium in it for anything but hens that are laying. Males and youngsters may suffer kidney damage from the excess calcium.

With the Chickens, I tried the Kalmbach layer feed while offering a whole grain option too, and the roosters would not touch the layer feed, they checked it out and told the girls.. we made this for you, supervised them eating it then went and ate their grains, nor do they touch the oystershell calcium that I keep in a separate feeder. It is like they know that they don't need the calcium, just like they seem to know what plants/weeds are ok to nibble on and which ones to leave alone. Have you found turkeys to be similar?

 

[R2elk]

nor do they touch the oyster shell calcium

I have on occasion seen a rooster partaking of oyster shell. I have seen the same with young toms but not with the adult toms.

My turkey hens will eat the oyster shell when they are laying and will not touch it when they aren't laying. In the spring I know turkey eggs will be coming soon when I see the hens starting to eat the oyster shell.

Unlike roosters, toms do not "tidbit" for hens. In the wild hens and toms live in separate groups and come together for mating season only. The way we keep turkeys with hens and toms together all year long is not natural to them.

 

[MrsNorthie]

I have on occasion seen a rooster partaking of oyster shell. I have seen the same with young toms but not with the adult toms.

My turkey hens will eat the oyster shell when they are laying and will not touch it when they aren't laying. In the spring I know turkey eggs will be coming soon when I see the hens starting to eat the oyster shell.

Unlike roosters, toms do not "tidbit" for hens. In the wild hens and toms live in separate groups and come together for mating season only. The way we keep turkeys with hens and toms together all year long is not natural to them.

It is good to know that they also seem to know what they need, but would it be better for their over-all well-being, to keep them separate? I have noticed that rather than finding tasty treats for the hens, the toms spend more time puffing up to display their magnificent plumage to attract the ladies attention. They are quite protective though, as our neighboring hawk discovered, when he got too curious.

We planned on keeping one tom and all the first hens for breeding purposes, so we really just want them to be as happy and healthy as can be, so we could create a separate area and keep an extra tom (or 2 or 3..) if that is what is best for them.

They are extremely social, we have remained pretty hands-off with them, but they still seem to love human attention Including flying over the fence to help the neighbor with a construction project for their goats.) and I am not sure that a solo male would be happy, unless he got to come hang out in my office while I am working or follow my husband around all day.