What Do Turkeys Eat? A Complete Guide to Turkey Diets

Understanding What Turkeys Eat: A Friendly Guide

Turkeys are fascinating birds, and whether you’re a backyard poultry enthusiast, a hunter, or just curious about wildlife, knowing what turkeys eat can help you appreciate these creatures even more. In this guide, we’ll explore what wild and domestic turkeys eat, how their diets change with the seasons, and what you should feed them if you’re raising turkeys at home. Let’s dig in!

What Do Wild Turkeys Eat?

Wild turkeys are true omnivores, which means they eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available in their environment. Their diet is diverse and changes with the seasons. Here’s a closer look at what wild turkeys munch on throughout the year:

Spring and Summer Diet

• Insects: During spring and summer, wild turkeys love feasting on insects like grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. These protein-rich snacks are especially important for young poults (baby turkeys) as they help with growth and development.
• Green Plants: Turkeys also enjoy tender shoots, leaves, and grasses during the warmer months. They might nibble on clover, dandelion greens, and even garden vegetables if they can find them!
• Berries and Fruits: As berries ripen in late spring and summer, turkeys eagerly eat strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cherries.

Fall Diet

• Nuts: Fall is a time of plenty for wild turkeys. They’ll gobble up acorns, beechnuts, hickory nuts, and walnuts as these become available. Nuts are packed with energy to help turkeys prepare for winter.
• Seeds and Grains: Turkeys forage for seeds from grasses and weeds, as well as leftover grains from harvested farm fields like corn, wheat, and soybeans.
• Fruits: Apples, grapes, and persimmons are also favorites if they’re growing nearby.

Winter Diet

• Leftover Nuts and Seeds: In winter, food is scarcer. Turkeys rely on stored nuts (especially acorns), seeds, and any remaining berries.
• Buds and Ferns: When snow covers the ground, turkeys may eat buds from trees and shrubs or dig through snow to find ferns and mosses.

What Do Domestic Turkeys Eat?

If you’re raising turkeys at home or on a farm, their diet is a bit different from their wild cousins. Domestic turkeys need a balanced diet to stay healthy and grow strong. Here’s what you should know:

Commercial Feed

• Starter Feed: Young poults should start with a high-protein turkey starter feed (about 28% protein) for the first six to eight weeks.
• Grower Feed: As they get older (8-16 weeks), switch to a grower feed with slightly less protein (around 20-24%).
• Finisher Feed: Adult turkeys do well on finisher feed (16-18% protein) until they reach market weight or maturity.

Supplements and Treats

• Grains: You can offer cracked corn, oats, barley, or wheat as treats but not as a main diet.
• Vegetables and Fruits: Leafy greens (like kale and spinach), peas, apples (without seeds), berries, and melons are great for variety.
• Protein Boosts: Mealworms or cooked eggs can provide extra protein if needed.
• Grit: Turkeys don’t have teeth! They need grit (small stones or commercial grit) to help grind up food in their gizzard.
• Fresh Water: Always provide plenty of clean water.

Foods to Avoid

• Moldy or Rotten Food: Never feed turkeys anything that’s spoiled—it can make them very sick.
• Sugary or Salty Snacks: Avoid processed foods like bread, chips, or sweets.
• Toxic Plants: Keep turkeys away from nightshades (tomato leaves, potato plants), rhubarb leaves, avocado skins/pits, and uncooked beans.

The Importance of a Balanced Diet for Turkeys

A balanced diet is crucial for both wild and domestic turkeys. Proper nutrition helps them grow healthy feathers, lay eggs, fight off disease, and stay active. For domestic turkeys, sticking to age-appropriate feeds ensures they get the right mix of protein, vitamins, minerals, and energy.

How Do Turkeys Find Their Food?

Wild turkeys are clever foragers. They use their keen eyesight to spot food on the ground or in low branches. With strong legs and sharp beaks, they scratch through leaves or soil to uncover hidden treats like insects or nuts. In winter, you might spot turkeys scratching through snow to find acorns or leftover grain!

Fun Facts About Turkey Eating Habits

• Picky Eaters? Not really! Turkeys will try almost anything edible in their environment.
• Poults Need Protein: Baby turkeys need lots of insects in their first weeks to grow strong bones and muscles.
• Nuts Are Favorites: Acorns are a top food choice for wild turkeys in fall—they’ll travel far to find oak trees!
• Diverse Diets: A single flock can eat hundreds of different plant species in a year!

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Diets

1. Can turkeys eat bread?

Bread isn’t toxic in small amounts but offers little nutrition. It’s best to avoid feeding bread to domestic turkeys so they get more nutritious foods instead.

2. Do turkeys eat meat?

Turkeys sometimes eat small animals like lizards or frogs if they find them, but insects are their main animal protein source.

3. What is the best treat for pet turkeys?

Berries, leafy greens, and mealworms make excellent treats for pet or backyard turkeys. Always offer treats in moderation!

4. Can wild turkeys eat from bird feeders?

If you live near wild turkeys, they may visit your bird feeders for seeds or grains—just make sure you’re comfortable with big birds joining your backyard visitors!

5. How much do domestic turkeys eat per day?

This depends on their age and size. On average, an adult turkey might eat about 1/4 to 1/2 pound of feed per day.

Conclusion: Feeding Turkeys Right

No matter where they live—out in the wild or in your backyard—turkeys thrive on a varied diet that matches their natural instincts. For wild turkeys, nature provides an ever-changing buffet of plants, insects, nuts, fruits, and seeds. For domestic turkeys, balanced commercial feeds plus healthy treats keep them happy and healthy. By understanding what turkeys eat at each stage of life and season of the year, you’ll be better equipped to care for them or simply enjoy watching these amazing birds in action!