Turkeys need the right diet in order to stay healthy and be profitable to you.
In addition to their normal feed, it is essential you give them treats.
This not only makes them happy and comfortable with you, it supplies them some nutrients and it creates a bond between you.
Turkeys love fruits as treats and one of the fruits they enjoy eating is grapes.
Can turkeys eat grapes? Yes, turkeys eat grapes, and not only do they enjoy eating grapes, it is very beneficial to their health as it is packed with nutrients.
Let’s discuss some of the health benefits of feeding your turkeys grapes.
What are the health benefits of grapes?
Grape is a fruit packed with nutrients like vitamins, antioxidants, copper, carbohydrate, fat etc. Let’s see how some these nutrients benefit your turkeys’ health.
Antioxidants. Grapes are full of antioxidants like vitamin C, lycopene, quercetin, beta carotene etc. which help to repair damaged cells I’m the bodies of your turkeys.
It also helps in boosting their immune system and protect them from some diseases.
Vitamin K. Grapes through the help of vitamin K enhances blood clotting in your turkeys.
It protects them against coccidiosis and deficiency symptoms include hemorrhaging in the legs and increase of blood spots in turkey eggs.
Vitamin B6. Grapes are good sources of vitamin B6 which AIDS in proper metabolism of amino acids.
Lack of vitamin B6 in turkeys can lead to convulsions, jerky movements etc.
Calcium. Grape also contains calcium. This helps to improve the quality of your turkeys’egg shells.
Lack of calcium in growing birds can cause tickets. Deficiency also causes improper bone structure in turkeys.
Do wild turkeys like grapes?
Yes, wild turkeys like grapes.
They are often seen eating grapes in the forest while foraging. You can also attract them to your yard by planting grapes.
If wild turkeys occasionally pass through your property, you can try feeding them grapes.
They will probably come more often and learn to be less spooky around you.
Can baby turkeys eat grapes?
Yes, baby turkeys can eat grapes.
It isn’t unusual to feed baby turkeys treats once in a while.
It should just not replace their regular diet or be given them everyday.
Some grapes are seeded so you may have to remove the seeds before feeding them to your baby turkeys.
This is to avoid choking or possible poisonings.
What fruits can turkeys eat?
Turkeys enjoy fruits as treats and they can be used to supplement their feed.
Berries, bananas, watermelons and apples are some of the fruits turkeys enjoy eating.
Wild turkeys also survive on these and other foods in the wild.
Apples essentially provides them with Vitamin A which is necessary for turkeys to grow.
It also helps in reproduction and egg laying.
Young turkeys require a diet high in protein (about 28%). Eating bananas supply young turkeys with protein to supplement their diet and keep them healthy.
Fruits also help turkeys survive in the winter when snow covers the ground and it is difficult to scratch.
Acorns especially keeps the turkeys fed during the winter and spring. It’s numerous nutrients also help them to stay healthy.
Turkeys also enjoy eating watermelon which aids digestion and contains vitamin A which is needed for a normal growth.
Related: Check out this comprehensive guide on how to raise turkeys
What is the best thing to feed turkeys?
Feeding your turkeys well is essential if you want to get the best from them and minimise sickness and death in their midst.
For the first 8 weeks of their lives, turkeys need to be fed gamebird starter mash or crumbles.
This is essential for them to grow healthy and it should contain nothing less or more than 28% protein.
For no reason should you feed your turkeys at this stage, layer/breeder mash, crumbles or pellets.
It is toxic to them because it has an high calcium content, which can cause liver and kidney problem.
In case of emergency, maybe their feed finish unexpectedly and you aren’t able to stock immediately, blend and equal part of rolled oats and cornmeal into a mash.
This should not be given them for more than a day.
After 8 weeks, your turkeys should be fed grower feed which should contain about 20% protein.
This is the best thing to feed your turkeys if you want them to grow and develop well.
Treats are supplements, kitchen scraps are bonuses. You shouldn’t rely on this to feed your turkeys.
Your turkeys won’t get all the required nutrients needed for their growth, from eating these.
What fruits are toxic to turkeys?
Turkeys enjoy fruits a lot but there are some fruits you shouldn’t feed your turkeys as they can cause harm to them.
Avocados are good for you but toxic for your turkeys.
Eating the skin, pits and seeds of avocados destroys turkeys’ heart cells which can lead to heart failure amidst other diseases, and eventually death.
Citrus fruits like lime, lemon, orange etc. affects the way they absorb calcium and other nutrients so it is best not to feed your turkeys these fruits.
If they accidentally eat it or you have it to them, they won’t die.
But if keep doing that, it’s only a matter of time before your precious birds fall sick.
There are fruits good for your turkeys whose seeds can be toxic to them.
Examples are apples, cherries, plums, peaches etc.
Before feeding your turkeys this fruits, remove the seeds and pits. You can also cut them into small pieces in order to avoid choking.
Conclusion.
Turkeys eat grapes and it doesn’t harm them at all.
Grapes provide them with some vitamins and minerals helpful to their growth.
Wild turkeys eat fruits and they enjoy eating grapes in the wild.
Baby turkeys can also eat grapes. Apart from grapes, there are other fruits turkeys can eat, like apples, watermelons, bananas etc.
Feed your turkeys well with the appropriate feed for their age.
Avoid feeding fruits like avocados and citrus. Also avoid feeding them fruits together with their seeds and pits.
References.
