What Should You Not Feed Turkeys?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Low-Quality chicken feed.
  • Dairy foods.
  • Onions.
  • Raw meat.
  • Chocolate.
  • Processed foods.
  • Fruit pits and seeds.
  • Tomato and eggplant leaves.

What is the best thing to feed turkeys?

Adult turkeys will eat as much as fifty percent of their intake from

pasture or range grass

. Range grass is grass that is four to six inches long. Turkeys like to eat the growing tips of the grass. They will also enjoy any kitchen or garden scraps: lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and so on.

Can turkeys eat bread?


You should only feed your turkeys bread occasionally

. This is because eating bread too often will do them more harm than good. You should also tear bread into small pieces before feeding them to your turkeys. This prevents choking and helps your turkeys to get the best out of it.

Can turkeys eat dairy?

Turkeys and dairy farms or feedyards shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence. However,

some farmers feed turkeys and birds in addition to feeding

their dairy cows or feedlot cattle. This happens when corn in the diet passes through in manure because it is not sufficiently digested by the cows or cattle.

Why you shouldn’t feed wild turkeys?

Mold, which grows on wet or damp grain (including birdseed at the backyard feeder), can cause

respiratory diseases

in birds. Third, artificially concentrating turkeys at feeding sites attracts predators and makes them far more vulnerable to predation.

How can I make my turkey grow faster?

Turkeys need a

high protein diet

when they are young as they grow and gain muscle quickly. To support this growth, feed a complete feed with 30 percent protein, such as Purina

®

Game Bird + Turkey Startena

®

until the birds are 8 weeks old.

Do turkeys keep snakes away?

Do turkeys keep snakes away?

Yes, turkeys keep snakes away

. If you have a lot of turkeys in your yard, they will kill the snakes there and other snakes will be scared of coming around your property.

Do turkeys eat cracked corn?

Cracked Corn-Corn is chocked full of

protein and fiber

that makes a great wild turkey food. … Since wild turkeys are a ground-feeding type, sprinkling cracked corn in an open area of dirt is a sufficient way to attract them. Seeds- Another easily attainable food source, seeds provide even more nutrition for wild turkeys.

What veggies can turkeys eat?

Turkeys love to pick at natural plants. They will consume all sorts of leaves and grasses. You can also feed your turkey various vegetable plants like

lettuce, cabbage, carrot leaves

and much more.

Do turkeys eat mice?

Turkeys Eat What? Just about anything they can reach and shove past their beaks, including: …

Small

snakes, mice and moles – Young turkeys seeking nutritious protein will catch and eat small mammals and reptiles.

Can turkeys eat raw potatoes?

Salt: While turkeys do need some salt in their diet, this should be provided in their commercial food. …

Green Potatoes

: Green potatoes, particularly the skins and “eyes” contain solanine (as do any green bits from peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant which are in the same family), which can be poisonous to turkeys.

What is the best age to butcher a turkey?

  • The best age to butcher a Broad Breasted Turkey is 16-20 weeks, for heritage breed turkeys it’s 24-28 weeks.
  • If you are looking for growth, broad breasted turkeys are your top choice.

What is the local food of Turkey?

A traditional Turkish side dish,

saksuka

consists of eggplant, zucchinis, garlic, tomatoes and chili. Turkish cuisine incorporates a huge range of vegetable dishes known as zeytinyagli yemegi — foods cooked in olive oil. The majority are vegetable-based and include green beans, artichokes and of course, eggplants.

What are turkeys afraid of?


Predator kites flying from tall poles

are known to scare off turkeys. Waving your hands in the air or opening an umbrella will startle turkeys into a run. Throwing tennis balls at turkeys can frighten them away.

How do you befriend a turkey?

  1. Food. Turkeys are omnivorous and will sample a wide variety of foods. …
  2. Water. Ground bird baths are the best way to provide turkeys with water. …
  3. Shelter. …
  4. Nesting Sites. …
  5. Empty Feeders. …
  6. Damage and Mess. …
  7. Injuries.

How do I stop my turkey from attacking me?

Aggressive turkeys

Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten a bold, aggressive turkey

with loud noises

, swatting with a broom or water sprayed from a hose. A dog on a leash is also an effective deterrent. Turkeys that repeatedly challenge or attack people may ultimately have to be destroyed.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.