Can Turkeys Eat Blueberries?

Animal caregivers know that providing residents with an appropriate diet is a fundamental component of responsible care. Regretfully, information about the nutrients certain species require can be hard to come by outside of the commodification context. Such is the case with turkeys. The majority of the information out there is centered on “productivity” rather than what turkeys require to live long, healthy lives. This is particularly the case with large breed turkeys, which have been bred to become so big that they are unable to mate naturally. Similar to large breed chickens, the information that is currently available about turkey diets emphasizes quick growth and high profit margins. It can be challenging to know exactly what and how much to feed individual turkeys in sanctuary settings due to the lack of scientifically supported guidelines. Since efforts are made to prevent obesity in those individuals, we will examine in this resource a combination of industry recommendations for turkeys forced into breeding and anecdotal information from the sanctuary community.

Keep Checking Back for Updates! While we would prefer to have more information about dietary recommendations, we understand that in this situation, anything is better than nothing. With such a dearth of information, we hope that offering a few options to consider is helpful. As we gather more information from the sanctuary community, we will update this resource accordingly. If you have information you feel should be included, please get in touch!.

This Information Does Not Apply To Chicks: Turkey chicks have special nutritional requirements that are not covered in the sections below. For information on appropriate diets for turkey chicks, check out our resource here.

A Note From The Open Sanctuary Project: Please be aware that although this resource will cover industry-based suggestions, it does so merely to put our suggestions for residents of sanctuary turkeys in context. The Open Sanctuary Project does not support the commodification, exploitation, or use of any animals for human desires.

Information from the industry indicates that turkeys need more protein than chickens do, and the majority of commercial foods made for turkeys have a far higher protein content than foods made for chickens. For sanctuary avian residents, however, lower protein diets are typically advised because longevity and good health are more important than exploitation and quick growth. Avian nutritionists and other experts frequently bring up the “breeder” recommendations—which differ from those for turkeys raised for their flesh—when discussing the dietary requirements of sanctuary turkeys. When it comes to protein, the guidelines for turkeys raised for breeding may not exactly match the needs of sanctuary occupants, but they can be a useful starting point.

Although a lot of commercial foods labeled specifically for turkeys have a protein content of 2020% or more, per the Nutrient Requirements of Poultry, those who will be used for breeding should be fed a different diet than those raised for their flesh in order to lower the risk of obesity. It is recommended that these individuals follow a protein diet consisting of 12% protein during the period before the females begin laying eggs and 4% protein once they do.

Insoluble Grit For Turkeys

Because they lack teeth, turkeys must chew their food in the gizzard, also known as the ventriculus or muscular stomach, where insoluble grit aids in the process. Small pebbles and stones that turkeys naturally eat are retained in their gizzards for a while, aiding in the breakdown of food. But, depending on how they are housed, you might have to provide insoluble grit, which is available at most feed stores and should not be confused with soluble grit. Turkeys who are solely fed a complete diet food (vs. grit is not strictly necessary because this mixture of whole grains can break down without it. On the other hand, pebbles or grit are necessary for fresh produce or residents consuming grass and other vegetation outside to be broken down in the gastrointestinal tract.

Insoluble grit comes in different sizes. If the insoluble grit is too small, it may pass through the gizzard without spending any time there, which would defeat the purpose. Smaller sized grit is also more likely to be over consumed by some individuals.

Large Breed Considerations: Some sanctuaries have reported that their large breed birds must have their grit portions controlled because they gorge on it and cannot have free-choice grit. Offering free-choice access is almost always recommended by insoluble grit recommendations because most non-large breed individuals will only eat as much as they need, provided that they are provided with the proper size and other nutritional needs are met. On the other hand, large breed turkeys raised for their flesh are usually fed much higher quality food than in a sanctuary, so they may be less likely to overindulge in this situation. Determining exactly how much insoluble grit an individual needs is difficult. Based on our understanding of large breed hens, it appears that inhabitants who have access to an outdoor area with small pebbles, even for brief intervals of time, will probably find enough natural grit to maintain healthy digestion all year long. Nonetheless, you might want to talk to your veterinarian about safe supplementation if you believe the large breed turkey residents in your care require additional insoluble grit but you are unable to provide it on a free-choice basis. Anecdotal evidence from the sanctuary community leads us to believe that you probably only need to add a small amount and can do so quite infrequently.

Like every sanctuary resident, turkeys need fresh, clean water every day. In warmer climates, where freezing temperatures are not a risk, providing fresh water is fairly easy. Water sources should be checked frequently and cleaned at least once a day so that they can be replenished as needed. Water in poultry water founts helps maintain the water clean in between water changes, but open water containers can also be provided; however, their design may require more frequent cleaning if the residents manage to poop or kick bedding into them.

Water sources may need to be provided in water units that contain or can be used in conjunction with a safe heat source in areas where temperatures drop below freezing. When utilizing a galvanized water fountain, keep in mind that anything acidic should not be used in them, including cleaning solutions. This can lead to corrosion and possible water contamination, which can cause zinc toxicity or other problems. Metal water containers should be replaced if they begin to rust.

Fire Safety: Those sanctuaries that require heated water units in the winter choose to use them exclusively during the day, when more people are present in case there is a safety concern that could lead to a fire. In these situations, fresh water is supplied in a separate container (such as a large rubber bowl) and the unit is disconnected or turned off in the evening when residents are getting ready for the night. Although this water will freeze over night, it will guarantee that your residents have access to water when they get settled for the evening. To guarantee that residents have unrestricted access to water during their waking hours, fresh water should be supplied as soon as possible in the morning.

Feeding Large Breed Turkeys

Large breed turkeys that are healthy and mature should have their diet restricted to avoid obesity and other health issues, even though non-large breeds typically thrive on a free-choice diet. However, the amount they will need to eat will vary depending on the individual. Although the majority of people associate large breed turkeys with Broad-Breasted Whites, there are other breeds that also fit into this category. Some hybrid breeders have produced turkeys that, although having stature similar to smaller non-large breeds like the Midget White, are more akin to Broad Breasted turkeys in terms of their disproportionately large breasts and tendency to overeat. These birds will eat less than a larger turkey, and females of the same breed will usually eat less than males.

This makes it difficult to recommend a specific amount of food for large breed sanctuary turkeys, as there is no universal standard for a healthy body condition. You should be able to feed them slightly less primary food than you would if you did not supplement (while keeping them similarly satiated) if you are able to add fresh greens, like kale, or other produce (more on this below).

Many sanctuary caretakers have been cutting back on the amount of food given to large breed chickens and turkeys over time, as well as reevaluating what constitutes a healthy body weight and condition. We’ve heard of sanctuaries feeding anywhere from roughly ⅔ cup (especially for smaller females) to 2 cups, depending on the size and sex of the individual, the type of food, and whether or not they receive supplemental produce. 5 cups (for large males) of food per day, split into at least two well spaced out meals. We acknowledge that this is a fairly broad range, and for many people, caregivers who believe the lower or higher end is too high or too low may be correct. Finding what works best for the people in your care is crucial, and you should keep a close eye out for any indications that they are malnourished, overweight, or otherwise unwell.

We advise monitoring each resident’s weight on a monthly basis and taking comfort and overall body condition into account. Overweight turkeys may spread their legs wide when standing and may walk more laboriously (though this may also be the result of a different mobility issue). A very prominent keel would be a sign that they are underweight. You will probably gain an understanding of each person in your care’s healthy weight range by keeping track of their weight and assessing their physical condition. Make necessary dietary adjustments for your residents if you notice that they are gaining or losing weight, but remember that slight variations in weight are common. Don’t automatically adjust their food every time their weight changes. Instead, track weight trends and make adjustments slowly. When there is more grass or other vegetation for them to eat in their outdoor space, you might need to limit their portion sizes.

In addition to evaluating their weight and body condition, also consider their general behavior and feather condition. Following a molt, if you notice that their feathers are curly or don’t look healthy, their diet may be the cause. A resident may also have a problem with their diet if you notice that they are grumpy, agitated, or dull, especially after making a change to their diet, or if they seem more interested in eating non-food items (such as their feathers or those of their companions). These symptoms may also be related to specific health issues. After consulting with your veterinarian to rule out conditions unrelated to diet, modify their diet and closely monitor the situation to see if the problems go away.

What Do Wild Turkeys Eat? Feeding Habits And Cool Diet Facts

FAQ

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