Bread is a staple food for humans, but can our feathered friends enjoy it too? Specifically, can turkeys eat bread? The short answer is yes, turkeys can eat bread in moderation. However, there are some benefits and risks to be aware of when feeding bread to turkeys.
An Overview of Turkeys’ Dietary Needs
Before diving into the details on bread, it’s important to understand the general dietary requirements for domestic turkeys. Turkeys are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their diet in the wild consists of seeds, nuts, berries, insects, small reptiles and more.
As poultry, domestic turkeys have the following key nutritional needs:
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Protein: Turkeys require feed that is around 28% protein, especially in their early growth stage. This aids proper muscle growth and development.
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Vitamin A: Essential for eye and immune health. Found in leafy greens, carrots and squash.
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Vitamin D: Needed for calcium absorption and bone strength. Best obtained through sunlight.
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Calcium Necessary for bone health and growth Found in dairy, leafy greens and supplements
With proper nutrition, turkeys can grow rapidly in the first 6 months, potentially doubling their hatch weight. After reaching adulthood, turkeys will meet about 50% of their needs through foraging on grass and range
The Benefits of Feeding Bread to Turkeys
Now that we understand the unique dietary requirements of turkeys, here are some potential benefits of occasionally feeding bread:
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Energy: Bread provides carbohydrates for energy. This can be especially helpful in cold weather when turkeys need more calories.
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Taste and texture: Turkeys seem to enjoy the soft, sweet taste of bread as an occasional treat. It provides variety in texture compared to their regular feed.
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Nutrients: Bread can provide small amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals. Whole grain breads offer more nutritional value than white.
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Bonding: Hand-feeding bread can be a good bonding activity between you and your turkeys. They associate you with a tasty treat!
Risks and Precautions Around Bread
While bread can be nutritious for turkeys in moderation, there are some important risks and precautions to consider:
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Mold: Bread goes moldy quickly. Consuming moldy bread can make turkeys very sick. Always inspect bread first.
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Wet/stale bread: Bread that is soggy or stale can expand in the crop and digestive system, causing potentially fatal impaction.
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Nutritional imbalance: Too much bread may lead to a deficiency in proper protein, vitamins and minerals turkeys need.
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Angel wing: A diet too high in dense calories like bread has been linked to angel wing, an incurable wing deformity.
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Diseases: Bread left uneaten can harbor dangerous mold and bacteria. Only feed amounts that will be eaten in one sitting.
To mitigate these risks, here are some best practices around feeding bread:
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Only feed fresh, dry bread in small pieces – not whole slices.
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Feed just 1-2 times per week as a supplement, not a dietary staple.
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Make sure other nutritional needs are met through proper feed and range time.
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Pick up any uneaten bread within 15 minutes.
Healthy Bread Alternatives for Turkeys
For those concerned about the risks of bread, here are some healthier alternatives to try:
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Cooked oatmeal or whole grains
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Chopped fruits and vegetables like lettuce, kale, tomato, melon
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Cooked rice or pasta
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Dried mealworms or crickets
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Chopped hard boiled eggs
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Unsalted nuts and seeds
These provide more balanced nutrition without some of the risks of bread. Variety is key!
The Consensus on Bread for Turkeys
Eating bread can be deadly for birds.
The bird doesn’t realize it has wasted an opportunity to be nourished, it has eaten its fill. It will continue going about its business, its body burning calories just the same. With a stomach stuffed full of nothing. With no calories to metabolize to stay warm or provide energy to evade predators.
For a small bird, this can lead to tragedy very quickly. A Black-capped Chickadee can freeze to death overnight, with its stomach full of bread.
What food is good for birds?
The good news is we don’t have to stop feeding the birds in our backyards, we just need to feed them the right food—food that maximizes the nutrition they require to survive and thrive.
See ‘Quality Bird Seed and Clean Feeders Matter‘ for more information about healthy food you can provide for wild birds.
feeding the turkeys bread
FAQ
Is it okay to feed bread to turkeys?
Yes, birds can eat bread and can process it in small amounts. Wild birds are good at taking the right amount of food, and bread is no exception.
What foods can turkeys not eat?
- Avocados
- Tomato and eggplant leaves
- Beans (raw or dried)
- Fruit pits and seeds
- Onions
- Processed foods
- Raw meat
- Anything dairy
What is the best thing to feed turkeys?
Whole corn works best; cracked corn is not good because of mold. Soybeans are also a good high-energy supplementary food source.
Can turkeys eat meat?
Yes, they can. Turkeys are omnivores and that means they eat animal and vegetable matter. Turkeys can eat all kinds of fresh meat, be it from mammals, other birds, reptiles, amphibians, or insects.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can turkeys eat seeds?
The oil in the seeds helps provide a beautiful shine to your turkey’s plumage. Additionally, the seeds contain around 17% protein which is excellent for turkeys of all ages. Seeds should be out of the shells for your turkeys to take advantage of them. These extremely protein-rich seeds are usually found in most custom rations.
Can turkeys eat chicken feed?
However, chicken feed is nutritionally balanced for chickens and often medicated, so don’t let your turkeys get access to any medicated feed- since they eat so much more than chickens, it’s highly likely that they will overdose if they get it.
What do turkeys eat?
Turkeys are omnivores and that means they eat animal and vegetable matter. Turkeys can eat all kinds of fresh meat, be it from mammals, other birds, reptiles, amphibians, or insects. Can Turkeys Eat Mushrooms?
Can turkeys eat eggs?
Yes, turkeys can and will eat eggs. Eggs are extremely nutritious for turkeys, but any that you deliberately give them should be scrambled and thoroughly cooked in order to avoid promoting egg cannibalism in your flock. They might start eating their own! Can Turkeys Eat Fruit? Yes, turkeys can eat all kinds of fruit.