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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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