Turkeys are gentle and incredibly loyal, which can make processing them an emotional task. Turkeys can waste an enormous amount of feed – and feed spilled on the ground can become wet, moldy, and toxic.
Each turkey is unique and some are more vocal than others. She will sit down gently beside them and let them pet her for hours! They will also enjoy any kitchen or garden scraps: lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and so on. Our head Tom, (who became a pet) would follow us around our yard like our Golden Retriever.
Most likely they can find this right on the ground mixed with the soil.
For feeding, a large hanging feeder that can hold most of a 50-pound bag of feed is ideal. In mid-December a few years ago, six wild turkeys, all appearing to be first-year birds, marched up our hill and stopped to eat some acorns on the ground.
I’ve seen our turkey trip over everything from food bowls to chickens! Another option is red plastic chick feeders that have oval-shaped openings through which the poults can reach the feed. Turkeys like to eat the growing tips of the grass.
Hanging feeders tend to conserve feed. For the most part, she is the big chicken and will run away from the chickens if she feels threatened or scared.Pet turkeys are usually very good about staying near their people and their home. Just make sure that the bottom of the feeder is within comfortable reach of the turkey poults' beaks.
Once they're on pasture, you will need to make sure the turkeys have access to coarse sand or fine gravel – the grit that they need to digest their food. If blackhead is common in your area, it’s probably best to house your chickens and turkeys separately.Some turkeys can also be aggressive towards chickens.
If you are considering adding a pet turkey to your family, here are 5 things to know!
*The breed of turkey you choose will have a lot to do with what they are best suited for.
But, in a strange twist of events, Baby (yes, like Baby from If you are considering adding a pet turkey to your family, here are 5 things to know!Each turkey is unique and some are more vocal than others. Before processing, do not feed the turkey for 24 hours, and do not give it water for the last 12 hours to make the task easier and neater. However, it is just the opposite of what do wild turkeys eat in reality and a large portion of their diet plan is dependent upon grasslands. Use a chick starter or game bird starter for turkey poults. We have to monitor how much our turkey eats through the day to keep her at an optimal weight.
We have an ongoing joke that our turkey is a better dog than the dog is!
One-month-old turkeys tend to eat far more insects, reptiles, and other protein-heavy meats so that they can grow. Be sure to take the time to research your breeds carefully and choose the breed that will best suit your needs. Our neighbors always enjoyed her friendly interaction, but you may want to make sure your neighbors are okay with it before you invest in a pet turkey!Turkeys are social animals and will become very attached to their people! Young turkeys learn to forage quickly, and the hen shows them the best places to do so. She will faithfully follow us around anywhere we go! She is always enthusiastic about everything in life and is thrilled anytime she sees us coming. Turkeys like to eat the growing tips of the grass. As the poults grow, you can switch to a five-gallon metal waterer, or a nipple watering system. You can also use special treats to train your turkey to come when called and do other fun tricks!There is no doubt that a pet turkey will keep you entertained! Avoid open pails of feed as well, because besides spilling it, the poults can all climb in on top of one another, hurting themselves. Turkey poults are really delicate and sensitive to slight changes. They bond well to their families and enjoy being social.We never expected to have a pet turkey! Our turkey gets especially noisy when it’s almost meal time. While it may seem a bit unconventional, keeping turkeys as pets is becoming more popular. However, most turkeys are generally docile, making them a good animal to be around children. Make sure your waterer is sturdy and rugged, as large turkeys are quite strong. Adult turkeys will eat as much as fifty percent of their intake from pasture or range grass. She is allowed to free range as much as she wants though. They will also enjoy any kitchen or garden scraps: lettuce, tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, and so on. But her sweet disposition is what I love most. To prevent blackhead disease and other parasites, newly hatched poults (baby turkeys) should be fed a medicated 28% Turkey Starter for the first 8 weeks.