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From page 371
concentrates. Turkeys require more protein in their regular feed than chickens. For proper growth and better production, poults need about 28 % protein in their feed and adult birds need about 20 % protein in their regular feed. Locally, you are not likely to find special turkey feed, so you will have to feed general poultry grower pellets, which
Turkeys in indoor housing
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have the highest protein content of available poultry feeds, and then move on to layer pellets. You can also feed anything you have that is spare from the vegetable garden. It is not recommended to feed broiler mash, as the feed is often medicated. Turkeys are very efficient at converting feed to mass. When keeping turkeys be mindful that they also need a |
constant supply of grit. Like chickens, they need the grit to help break down the food in their gizzard. Poults, even from two days old, should be given grit as part of their diet. When raising turkeys the first three weeks are the most critical. Poults are very fragile for the first three weeks and they must be kept in a brooder. The purpose of the brooder is to imitate the warm, safe conditions beneath a mother hen. It must be hot and humid. They need regular checks, as poults are especially prone to flip on to their backs and suffocate themselves. To get them started correctly, don ' t cut corners on feed. Turkeys need at least 26 % protein for at least the first month, before levelling down to 21 %, and then to 20 % as adults. Along with quality |
POULTRY feeding, ensure availability of sufficient amounts of clean and fresh water. A hundred adult turkeys will need about 65 litres of water daily. Automatic poultry waterers and feeders are good choices for feeding and watering turkeys. Clean the feeder and waterer on a regular basis. Disease and other health problems are also common in turkeys like other poultry. Don ' t raise turkeys and chickens together, as chickens are carriers of diseases that might be fatal for turkeys.
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