How to Feed Turkeys in Minnesota

According to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Associations, turkeys grown in Minnesota should be hormone and steroid free because no hormones or steroids have been approved for use in turkeys. The reasons that domestic turkeys become so large are because of management techniques and the types of feed they eat. A proper diet will ensure that healthy turkeys are raised without the health defects associated with overly large birds.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean water
  • Automatic watering machine
  • Heater
  • Feeder
  • Mixed grains or poultry scratch
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Timothy hey pellets
  • Calcium supplements
  • Greens
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a poultry watering fountain or automatic watering machine. For large numbers of turkeys, having an automatic watering machine is the best way to ensure the water is clean and to prevent spillage. Water should always be provided. During Minnesota winters, a heating unit will be needed to ensure the water does not freeze. During hot summers, check water levels throughout the day to make sure your turkeys are getting enough water. If you are only raising one or two domestic turkeys, you can provide fresh water daily in a bucket or watering bowl.

    • 2

      Purchase feed at a farm supply store in Minnesota. Premixed turkey feed normally contains antibiotics and animal by-products that promote fast growth. To avoid chemicals and unnecessary rapid growth mixtures, purchase mixed grains or poultry scratch and sunflower seeds. Poultry scratch or mixed grains include a mixture of cracked corn, oats, wheat and grit. Sunflower seeds add necessary calcium to the diet, and you can add Timothy hay pellets for roughage. Hens will need a calcium supplement during egg-laying season to strengthen the eggs.

    • 3

      Place the mixture of feed into a feeding trough or large feeder that will not be tipped over. Purchase the proper type of feeder at a farm supply store in Minnesota. Most of the feed should be the mixed grains with small amounts of sunflower seeds and Timothy hey pellets mixed in. Turkey's should self-regulate the amount of food they eat, meaning you should not have to measure the amount of food given each day. If you notice that your breed of turkey is becoming too large too fast, simply cut back on the amount of food available.

    • 4

      Change the feed slightly when the turkeys reach adulthood. In Minnesota, reduce the food intake slightly to make sure they do not become overly large. Also, add roughage and greens to the diet, which can include Timothy hay pellets and fresh vegetables. Greens should make up 25 percent of the turkey's diet.