Turkey Question

I was wondering if people give anything special for breeding. Is there a turkey breeder ration?

Nope I don't

There is nothing available at any feed store I can find.

I know there was some talk on a forum of having a "turkey layer mix" made up, but it was in AB and not practical for me. My choice is only turkey starter, turkey grower or turkey finisher. After asking around a bit I give turkey grower. They seem to be laying well and good hard eggs. They do eat a lot of grit and oyster shell too. I supplement with whole oats.

Thanks! Good to know.

It's a good question. I'd like to know what turkey layer should contain, esp protein wise.

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That's very helpful - will have to read carefully and make sure I am providing the right amounts. They do get cottage cheese occasionally!

Your best bet would be wild game some times feed stores need to speical order it. It's milled for game such as wild turkeys(assume it would fine for hertiage breeds) and phesants and peafowl etc etc.

I understand that's an option but the feed store doesn't carry that. But thanks! Maybe when I go to the Coast.

heda gobbler wrote:I understand that's an option but the feed store doesn't carry that. But thanks! Maybe when I go to the Coast.

Really? I would say mine does not carry it but they well order it in for me

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heda gobbler wrote:That's very helpful - will have to read carefully and make sure I am providing the right amounts. They do get cottage cheese occasionally!

oHhh yes the dairy subject is one subject that i am not sure about. "technically" feeding dairy is useless as it just produces runny poop (maybe a laxicitive for poultry ?) as they do not produce the enzyme Lactize to breack the proteins down so they can asbrob the nutraints

Any way's my two cent's is feeding dairy products is ok just as long as you do not feed to much and it is only a "treat"

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Thanks. Will ask about the Game Bird feed.

Don't give them cottage cheese all the time! I did wonder what birds were doing getting dairy. But they seem to like it better than cat food, which they have no use for at all.

Lactose is milk sugar. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, making it "food" for creatures who produce lactase.

Protein is something completely different, and chickens can digest protein from milk (and milk products) just fine.

ipf wrote:Lactose is milk sugar. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, making it "food" for creatures who produce lactase.

Protein is something completely different, and chickens can digest protein from milk (and milk products) just fine.

I am sorry but feeding them dairy products is just like a really expense laxictive for chickens i have got the opions of two poultry vets on this subject then can not digest any thing from the dairy.....

Interesting. we feed all our flocks - meat birds, layers, and young pullets - whey from the local cheesery - they love it, and don't have runny poops. Whey is high in protein. I'm a great believer in free choice; give them enough choices and they eat what they need. If they need it they'll like it; if they like it, they'll eat it; if they eat it, they'll digest it.

I think there is WAY too much transfer of information from factory farm feeding methods to backyard flock feeding methods. Factory farm feeding doesn't offer choices. Most poultry vets focus on factory farms, not backyard flocks.

There's also the whole probiotic thing, as discussed here:

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