Chicken Feed Vs Turkey Feed: What’s the Difference?

by feedmill · Published January 9, 2024 · Updated January 10, 2024

Since chicken and turkeys are both poultry, you might think feeding them the same food. But is that right? Well, keep reading to find out. But first, it is important to understand the nutritional needs of chickens and turkeys before making that choice. In this piece, we’ll delve into some of the crucial differences between chicken feed and turkey feed that you should know. We’ll also help you choose the best feed for your poultry.

Table of Contents

What are the Nutritional Needs of Chickens?

As we know, chickens are omnivorous meaning they can feed on both plant and animal based foods. And like other animals, they need a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water for healthy growth and maximum production. The percentage and type of nutrients they need solely depends on their age, purpose e.g laying eggs or meat and breed.

For example, chickens that lay eggs need more calcium than chickens for meat for eggshell production while the ones for meat production require more protein than laying hens for faster growth and more muscle gain. Talking of young chicks, their food needs to supply more energy because they are still growing and developing their body parts and organs.

Here are the most common types of chicken feed:

Starter feed: This is given to chicks from the time they are hatched to 6-8 weeks. Starter feed has a high-protein feed of around 20-24%.
Grower feed: it is fed to chickens 6-8 weeks to 18-20 weeks old. It has a lower-protein feed of around 16-18%. The grower feed facilitates the chicken’s growth and development.
Layer feed: This feed has a higher calcium content of around 3-4% and is specifically made for laying hens. The higher calcium content found in this feed compared to other feeds supports egg production. Layer feed has a moderate protein level of around 16-18%.
Broiler feed: This feed is only made for chickens that produce meat. Broiler feed has a high protein level of around 20-24% and a high energy level to facilitate rapid growth and weight gain.

What are the Nutritional Needs of Turkeys?

As chickens, turkeys are also omnivorous but one thing that makes them different from chickens is that they have very different nutritional needs. I know you’re asking what that is and here is the reason: Turkeys need more protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals than chickens. Why? because they have a larger body size and a faster growth rate. They also need more space and water than chickens because they are more active and thirsty.

The following are the most common types of turkey feed:

Starter feed: This feed has a very high protein content of around 28%. It is fed to turkey poults from the time they get hatched to 4 weeks. The starter feed helps the poults develop their immune system and organs.
Grower feed: This is another feed with a high-protein content of around 22%. The feed is given to turkeys from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Its work is to help them grow feathers and muscles.
Finisher feed: This feed has a protein content of around 18% and is normally termed a lower-protein feed. It is given to turkeys 12 weeks old to slaughter. The finisher feed helps the turkeys gain weight and fat.

Can You Feed Chickens and Turkeys the Same Thing?

The answer is no! You should not feed chickens and turkeys the same food because they have different nutritional requirements. If you do so, it can cause health problems for both birds.

For example, if you feed turkey to chickens, they will get too much protein and calcium which can lead to kidney damage, gout, and eggshell problems. If you feed chicken to turkeys, they will not get enough protein and amino acids, which can lead to poor growth, feather pecking, and leg deformities.

Therefore, it is best to keep chickens and turkeys separate and provide them with their specific feeds. If you have limited space or resources, you can try to find a poultry feed that is suitable for both birds, such as an all-purpose or multi-flock feed. However, you should still supplement them with extra calcium or protein as needed.

How to Choose the Best Feed for Your Poultry?

Here is an important part now; how can you choose the best feed for your poultry? There are several factors that can necessitate this. The most common factors include the kind of poultry you own, its intended use, its age, and the price and accessibility of various feeds in your community.

Always remember to complete the following before making any feed purchases: Check the ingredients, nutrient levels, expiration date, and feeding guidelines on the label of the feed you are purchasing. Also, compare various brands, costs, and reviews from other poultry owners.

Features of a Good Poultry Feed

Here are some of the things you should look for in a good poultry feed are:

Prioritize on feeds that have only high-quality ingredients. These feeds should contain grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, insects and worms. Feeds with flavors, artificial colors, or preservatives should be highly avoided. The natural and wholesome ingredients ensure that the feeds meet the dietary requirements.
Ensure that the feed provides balanced nutrients for the poultry. It should provide the right amount and ratio of vital nutrients, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Also, it is important for the feed to incorporate key amino acids like methionine and lysine which helps in feather and muscle development.
Look for feed that is not only fresh but dry. The feed should be devoid of molds, insects or rodents.
Lastly, go for the feed that is palatable. The feed should have an appealing texture, smell, and flavor for your poultry. Avoid dusty, stale or crumbly feeds.

Custom Feed Formulation for Chicken Feed vs. Turkey Feed

Now, asking yourself how you can make turkey feed or chicken feed from scratch. Is it tedious? What do I need? Well, strap in. We’re now spilling the beans right here. Firstly, you’ll need grains, seeds, legumes, animal by-products, oilseeds, minerals, and vitamins.

But what are the points to consider before making the chicken feed or turkey feed? Number one, ensure that the feed formulation meets the nutritional requirements of either chicken or turkey. Secondly and finally, the ingredients used should be fresh and high-quality for maximum production.

If you’re having problems with the right ratios and ingredients, online is a rich resource to gather the correct information. Online tools such as the FeedCalculator app or the Poultry Feed Formulation Spreadsheet can help you calculate the optimal proportions of different ingredients for your chicken feed or turkey feed based on your desired nutrient levels and available resources.

But a strong point to note: before feeding your turkey or chicken the custom feed formulation, start by feeding a small number of birds as a test as you monitor their performance and health. To be on a safer side, you can consult your feed supplier or veterinarian for advice and guidance.

Conclusion

Chicken feed and turkey feed are not the same thing. They have different nutritional needs and compositions because they have different body sizes and growth rates. Feeding them the same thing can cause health problems for both birds. Therefore, you should always provide them with their specific feeds or find a poultry feed suitable for both birds. You should also choose the best feed for your poultry based on their type, purpose, age, and availability.