Turkeys are always found gracing our dining table. They can be a great addition if you intend to raise birds for meat or eggs.
However, what to feed these delightful birds might be a question bugging new turkey farmers.
Turkeys are omnivores. Their diet consists of a wide range of nuts, seeds, grains, reptiles, grapes, and other small fruits.
However, you may have leftover oats in your kitchen and wondered if they are ideal for turkeys? Are they safe to be consumed by turkeys? Let’s find out.
Can Turkeys Eat Oat?
Yes, turkeys can eat oats. Oats are healthy feeds for turkeys and they adore oats.
Oats are species of grains grown for their seed. Although they are consumed by humans, they were commonly used as livestock feed.
Oats have been known to be quite safe for birds. Birds also find them easy to eat. When served appropriately, oats are one of the best food to serve your pet or wild turkey.
They are rich in nutrients that can boost growth and improve the entire well-being of turkeys.
This article contains a lot of information on feeding oats to turkeys. Continue reading to learn more.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Oat To Turkey?
In general, oats have a variety of health advantages. They are known to be high in many nutrients, which is why they are regarded as one of the most economical foods for turkeys.
Oats can be found in practically any kitchen. When you run out of cash for turkey feed, oats can easily fill the void.
Who wouldn’t smile at affordable foods readily available for their birds? Well, not me. This makes oats a great option when it comes to feeding turkeys.
However, let’s look at the health benefits of oats for turkeys;
1. Oats are high in antioxidants: Avenathramides are antioxidants that are found in oats. This antioxidant is healthy for turkeys.
It has been discovered to boost the synthesis of nitric oxide, which aids in the reduction of blood pressure.
Oats contain antioxidants that help prevent or slow down cell damage caused by free radicals.
Avenathramides have anti-inflammatory properties as well. According to research, ferulic acid is found in large quantities in oats.
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant that primarily enhances the effects of other antioxidants found in the body.
2. Oats are abundant in minerals and vitamins: According to research, oats contain Vitamin B, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B2.
Oats are also high in minerals and vitamins such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and folate.
Minerals and vitamins are essential for turkeys since it offers them environmental and mental stimulation.
These nutrients also enhance their immune system and support the proper growth and development of their organs and cells.
3. Excellent source of starch: Starch is recognized to be the main component of oats. It accounts for 60% of the dry weight.
Starch is an essential nutrient that turkeys need. It serves as a carbohydrate source.
Carbohydrates make up the largest portion of a turkey’s diet. It is a source of energy that their bodies require to carry out activities.
4. Excellent protein source: Oats are one of the greatest protein-containing cereals. Turkeys require protein for optimum growth and development.
Proteins also help turkeys healthily produce eggs. It improves their immune system and their ability to adapt to their surroundings.
5. High in fiber: Oats are particularly high in beta-glucan. This fiber aids in the reduction of harmful cholesterol levels in turkeys.
Fiber aids in the maintenance of a healthy digestive tract in turkeys. When compared to other grains, oats are considered to have greater fiber content.
Want to know what turkeys can eat? Click to read this article now
How Often Should I Feed Them Oats?
It is highly recommended to feed oats to turkey in moderation. Feeding them too many oats can be harmful.
This is why moderation is key to having healthy turkeys. Turkeys are not picky eaters. They feast on available meals.
For this reason, birders should not always make oats available to them.
Also, feeding them without water or feeding them cooked oats can be harmful to these birds. Turkeys should be served with raw oats.
Can Baby Turkeys Eat Oat?
Yes, baby turkeys can certainly eat oat. Oats are energizing and nutritious snack for poults.
However, it is always preferable to incorporate oats into their diets. This will make it easier for them to ingest.
At the age of six weeks, turkeys can be fed oats. Poults require a substantial quantity of protein at this time.
Protein allows them to grow and flourish in their surroundings. Studies have shown that poults that are offered oats grow up healthier.
Baby turkeys fed an oat-based diet have been discovered to have less pecking and cannibalism.
Furthermore, adding ground oat to your poults’ meal also helps to clean up pasty bums. Pasty butt is a potentially fatal ailment in young turkeys.
However, while oats are great for poults, they should be served oats in moderation.
Do Turkeys Eat Oatmeal?
Oatmeal refers to preparations of oats that have been dehusked, steamed, or flattened. Oatmeal is an easy food to consume.
They are healthy and safe for your birds.
Birds can be served oatmeal regularly. However, it is recommended to serve them oatmeal occasionally.
It is also advisable to incorporate it in your bird’s breakfast for a healthier effect. Oatmeal is not only high in nutrients, but it is also delicious.
Furthermore, they are small in size, so your turkey will consume them quickly.
Can Turkeys Eat Rolled Oats?
Yes, Turkeys can eat rolled oats. Rolled oats are oats that have not been fully processed.
They are semi-processed oats that have been dehusked and cooked before being rolled into flat flakes.
Rolled oats offer all of the nutrients necessary by birds, making them ideal for turkeys.
These rolled oats are richer in fiber.
They aid birds with digestive complications. It should not, however, be served to Turkeys regularly since they are difficult to swallow.
They may be combined with other grains to make crispy treats. Yummy! Your birds will love this.
These oats are not only tasty but they may also be employed to control the appetite of turkeys.
In addition, the oil component in rolled oats has been found to aid the turkey to retain heat.
Also here is an article I wrote on can turkeys eat kiwi
Things To Watch Out For Before Feeding Them Oats
Oats generally is considered a safe food for birds. However, it is important not to feed your turkey-cooked oats. Oats should be offered to birds uncooked.
Cooked oats posses as a threat to turkey in the following ways.
- When cooked, oats are sticky. It hardens around the beak of the turkey. This can cause a lot of trouble.
- Hardened oats can be difficult for turkeys to consume. Also, eating hardened oat can damage their beaks.
- Turkeys should not be fed instant porridge pots or sachet oats that include additives such as sugar.
How Can I Feed Oats To My Turkeys?
Oats to feed Turkeys are;
- Rolled oats
- Steel-cut oats
- Jumbo oats
- Oatmeal
- Pinhead oats
This is a list of suitable oat which can be offered to Turkeys. These different varieties of oats can be served in various ways
- It can be served on its own. They can be placed in feeders or scattered on the ground for birds to have easy access to them.
- They can be tweaked a bit to contain different flavors by mixing them up with seeds and grains. This makes healthy snacks
- They can also be mixed with dried chopped fruits.
Recipe
Oats can be served uncooked to Turkeys. However, touching it up a bit to have more flavors would be an awesome treat.
First recipe
- Melt 1 cup of suet or lard in a pot or pan.
- Mix 2 cups of uncooked oats in your pan.
- Dried fruits and chopped nuts can be added for a bit of crunchiness
- Allow to cool.
- Cut cooled oats into wedges before placing them outside for your turkey.
Second recipe
- Add milk or water to a pot.
- Add any oats of choice to the pot and allow to heat for a few minutes.
- Honey, brown sugar, or salt can be added for enhanced taste. This is optional.
- Butter can be added to promote smoothness.
- Different variety of nuts can be added. This makes healthy and crunchy snacks.
- Fresh and dried fruits such as bananas, apples, and grapes can also be added for additional nutrient content. They also enhance the taste.
- Allow to cool before cutting into wedges and feeding to turkeys.
Conclusion
Turkeys are birds that adore oats. Incorporating oats in their diet is a safe and healthy choice.
Oats are highly nutritious and economical. They contain varieties of health benefits such as antioxidants, starch, vitamins and minerals, fiber, and proteins.
They can be offered plain to them. They can also be mixed with grains and chopped fruits.
However, cooked oats should not be offered to turkeys.
