How much do turkeys eat??

[StevenW.]

I've heard that turkeys eat quite a bit but was wondering which breed its the less???

 

[kangababy]

They eat a ton.....
We have maybe 20 in a pen and they eat at least a 5 gallon bucket of food a day.. they are growing still, BBW.

Now my blue slates that are older don't seem to eat as much.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

A smaller variety will eat less than a large but even then they do eat alot.

Steve

 

[vtgirls]

We have turkeys for the first time - 4 Narragansett - 3 hens and 1 tom, also 1 mixed tom. All are about 3 and a half months old. They are eating an average of 22 pounds per week right now. They are fed organic turkey pellets from green mountain feed. At about 22$ per bag they are KILLIN me! I have been supplementing them with other food they approve of (they are way more picky than the chickens!) They really like sunflower seeds, apple cores (or whole!) and pumpkins.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Once you get enough of them they eat this much.

When this pic was taken it was two weeks worth, 2500 pounds

Steve

 

[vtgirls]

Steve - Do you get a bulk discount? The feed I buy says use within two months - can it "go bad"? Also, do you have any opinion on organic vs. conventional?

 

[leoismydog]

Hey When did turkeys start to east Rabbit Pellets???

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

For 20% layer it comes out to about $8.25 per 50 pounds. It would be less but we have 200 pounds of oyster shell mixed in. I don't know about "bagged" feed going bad but with the feed mill mix you can smell it getting a stronger smell in the summer so I guess it is breaking down. I haven't heard to many complaints from the eaters though.

Organic or non is a whole different topic, like free range vs caged. You can go thru the loop holes and claim them. To me "organic" isn't worth the price charged for the lable.

Steve

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
Only when the rabbits are full of chicken feed.

Steve

 

[vtgirls]

Is the oyster shell just for gizzard crunch? I pulled out some receipts - here a 50lb bag of conventional is 11.50 and organic 20.49. Seems to me if they're out in a moving tractor where they are foraging and eating other foods grown here on our land that should make for some very healthy/tasty birds whether we go conventional or organic. The feed mill is right in town and make their own feeds right on site. Any other "snack" ideas?