What to Feed Turkeys in Ontario: Starter, Grower & Finisher Feed Guide

Raising turkeys on an Ontario farm can be rewarding, whether you're keeping a small backyard flock or raising birds for meat production. But one of the most important decisions you'll make is what to feed turkeys at each stage of growth.

Turkeys have different nutritional requirements from chickens, particularly during their early development. A young turkey poult needs a carefully balanced starter ration, while older birds require feed suited to their changing growth and production needs.

Choosing the wrong feed can affect growth, feed efficiency, and overall flock health.

For turkey keepers in Chatham-Kent, Blenheim, Ridgetown, and surrounding Ontario communities, understanding the difference between turkey starter, grower, and finisher feed makes it easier to plan a practical feeding program.

In this guide, Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies explains how to feed turkeys at different ages, what nutrients they need, how to avoid common mistakes, and where to find suitable poultry feed in Ontario.

Understanding Turkey Nutrition: What Do Turkeys Need?

Turkeys are poultry, but their nutritional needs are not identical to those of laying hens or broiler chickens.

Young turkeys generally require diets with higher protein and carefully balanced essential amino acids to support rapid growth.

A properly formulated turkey feed provides several important nutrients.

Protein and Amino Acids

Protein supplies amino acids needed for normal growth, muscle development, and body maintenance.

Essential amino acids, including lysine and methionine, are particularly important in poultry nutrition.

The correct balance matters more than choosing feed based only on its crude protein percentage.

Energy

Energy supports activity, growth, and normal body functions.

Commercial turkey feeds commonly contain grain-based ingredients that contribute dietary energy.

The energy level must be appropriate for the birds' age and production stage.

Vitamins and Minerals

Turkeys need vitamins and minerals to support normal development and physiological functions.

These include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients.

Complete commercial turkey feeds are formulated to provide these nutrients in appropriate proportions when fed as directed.

Clean Drinking Water

Turkeys need reliable access to clean drinking water throughout the day.

Insufficient water availability can reduce feed intake and affect performance.

Turkey Starter Feed: What to Feed Baby Turkeys

Baby turkeys are called poults.

The early weeks of a poult's life are especially important because the birds are growing quickly and adjusting to feed, water, and their environment.

What Is Turkey Starter Feed?

Turkey starter feed is specifically formulated for young poults.

Compared with many standard chicken starter diets, turkey starter commonly provides higher protein and a different balance of essential nutrients.

For example, one Canadian commercial turkey-feeding program uses a 26% protein starter feed during the first six weeks.

However, formulations vary, and the manufacturer's instructions should always take priority.

Why Turkey Starter Is Important

A suitable starter diet helps young poults receive the nutrients needed during early development.

Providing only ordinary grain or scratch feed may leave important nutritional requirements unmet.

Turkey Poult Feeding Tips

• Use a feed specifically labelled for young turkeys.

• Provide feed in clean, accessible feeders.

• Keep drinking water available at all times.

• Check that newly arrived poults are eating and drinking.

• Follow the manufacturer's recommended feeding period.

• Protect feed from dampness and contamination.

• Monitor flock activity, growth, and general condition.

  
  

Young poults can be vulnerable to chilling, dehydration, and management problems.

Can Turkey Poults Eat Chicken Starter Feed?

This is one of the most common questions among backyard poultry keepers.

Chicken starter should not automatically replace turkey starter feed.

Although chickens and turkeys share some nutritional needs, the quantities and proportions of certain nutrients can differ considerably.

Turkey Starter vs Chicken Starter

Feature	Turkey Starter	Chicken Starter
Intended birds	Young turkey poults	Young chickens
Nutrient formulation	Designed for turkey growth	Designed for chicken growth
Protein	Often higher in early turkey diets	Depends on chicken type and stage
Essential amino acids	Balanced for turkeys	Balanced for chickens
Best use	Feeding young turkeys	Feeding young chickens

Some poultry feeds are specifically formulated and labelled for multiple species.

These may be appropriate when the label explicitly includes turkeys and the relevant age.

However, do not assume a general chick starter provides everything a turkey poult requires.

Also verify whether any feed is medicated. Medication approval, dosage, and species suitability must match the label.

Turkey Grower Feed: Supporting Healthy Development

As turkey poults grow, their nutritional requirements change.

At the appropriate stage, the feeding program transitions from starter to grower feed.

What Is Turkey Grower Feed?

Turkey grower feed is formulated for older, developing turkeys that have moved beyond the earliest stage of growth.

Compared with starter diets, grower feeds may contain different concentrations of protein, amino acids, energy, vitamins, and minerals.

When Should Turkeys Switch to Grower Feed?

The correct transition depends on the specific feeding program.

For example, a Canadian commercial turkey-feeding guide uses:

• Turkey starter from 0–6 weeks

• A grower-stage poultry ration from 6–12 weeks

• A later grower ration from 12–15 weeks

  
  

Other manufacturers use different schedules.

Always follow the current feed bag's age or weight recommendations rather than treating one schedule as universal.

Tips for Changing Turkey Feed

When transitioning to a new ration:

1. Check the feeding directions for both products.

2. Confirm the next feed is suitable for turkeys.

3. Follow the manufacturer's transition recommendations.

4. Watch for changes in feed intake.

5. Keep feeders and waterers clean.

6. Monitor growth and flock behaviour.

Turkey Finisher Feed: Feeding Birds Approaching Market Weight

Turkeys being raised for meat eventually enter a later development or finishing stage.

During this period, feed needs are influenced by factors such as:

• Bird weight

• Breed and genetics

• Expected market weight

• Growth rate

• Feed conversion

• Sex

• Housing and environmental conditions

  
  

What Is Turkey Finisher Feed?

Finisher feed is formulated for birds approaching their intended market weight.

It generally has a different nutrient profile from starter feed.

The goal is to support the later growth stage without unnecessarily supplying nutrients at levels intended for much younger birds.

Do All Turkeys Need Finisher Feed?

Not every backyard flock follows the same commercial feeding system.

Some programs use several distinct grower and finisher phases, while others use fewer stages.

Breeding turkeys also require different feeding considerations from market birds.

Always select a ration appropriate to the birds' intended purpose.

Turkey Starter vs Grower vs Finisher Feed: Comparison Chart

Feed type	General feeding stage	Main purpose
Turkey Starter	Newly hatched and young poults	Support early growth
Turkey Grower	Developing turkeys	Support continued growth
Turkey Finisher / Developer	Later growth towards market weight	Support finishing-stage nutrition
Breeder Feed	Mature breeding turkeys	Support maintenance and reproduction

For reference, one Canadian commercial program uses 26% starter protein, followed by 20%, 18%, and 15% diets in later phases.

These are examples from a specific program, not universal requirements or the guaranteed analysis of Jones Feed Mills products.

The best feeding schedule is the one appropriate to your birds and the feed manufacturer's instructions.

How Much Feed Does a Turkey Eat?

Feed consumption depends on the bird's age, breed, sex, growth rate, ration, and environment.

Young poults consume much less feed than large finishing birds.

As turkeys grow, their daily feed intake generally increases.

Example Turkey Feed Consumption

A Canadian commercial feeding guide provides the following example estimates:

Turkey age	Example feed consumption
0–6 weeks	Approximately 0.6 kg per bird per week
6–12 weeks	Approximately 2.2 kg per bird per week
12–15 weeks	Approximately 3.6 kg per bird per week
15 weeks to market	Approximately 4.5 kg per bird per week

These are average planning figures from one feeding program. Actual consumption can differ significantly, and the weekly figures should not be treated as fixed feeding limits.

Example: Planning Feed for 10 Growing Turkeys

Suppose your feeding program estimates 2.2 kg per turkey per week.

For ten birds:

10 turkeys × 2.2 kg = 22 kg of feed per week

For four weeks at that assumed average rate:

22 kg × 4 = 88 kg of feed

That equals approximately 3.5 bags of 25 kg feed.

This calculation is useful for purchasing estimates, but actual feed use changes as birds grow.

Monitor feed consumption and avoid purchasing excessive quantities that cannot be stored properly.

Can Turkeys Eat Scratch Grain or Whole Corn?

Scratch grain and whole corn are sometimes offered to backyard poultry.

However, they are not substitutes for a properly formulated turkey ration.

Whole Corn

Corn provides dietary energy, but it does not supply all the nutrients growing turkeys need in the correct proportions.

Feeding only corn can result in nutritional imbalances.

Scratch Grain

Scratch grain is generally intended for supplemental feeding and enrichment rather than as a complete turkey diet.

Excessive supplementation can dilute the nutritional balance of a complete ration.

Kitchen Scraps

Not all household foods are appropriate for turkeys.

Avoid mouldy, spoiled, salty, or otherwise unsuitable foods.

When feeding treats, ensure they do not displace the complete feed that provides the birds' essential nutrients.

Common Turkey Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Feeding Regular Chicken Starter Without Checking Suitability

Turkey poults often have different nutrient requirements from chicks.

Choose a feed specifically approved for the intended birds and life stage.

Mistake 2: Switching Feed at the Wrong Stage

Changing diets too early or too late may affect the nutritional balance of the feeding program.

Use the manufacturer's directions rather than guessing.

Mistake 3: Offering Too Much Scratch Grain

Scratch grain should not replace balanced turkey feed.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Water Availability

Adequate water access is essential for normal feeding and growth.

Mistake 5: Using Damp or Mouldy Feed

Spoiled feed may contain harmful contaminants.

Never offer visibly mouldy or clearly contaminated feed.

Mistake 6: Using the Wrong Medicated Feed

Some medicated poultry feeds may be approved for specific species or uses only.

Check labels carefully and consult your veterinarian when necessary.

Mistake 7: Not Adjusting Feeders as Birds Grow

Feeder height and access should be appropriate for bird size.

Poorly positioned feeders may increase waste or make feeding difficult.

Feeding Turkeys During Ontario Winters

Ontario winters can present additional challenges for turkey keepers.

Cold temperatures, frozen drinking water, damp bedding, and poor ventilation can affect flock management.

Winter Turkey Feeding Tips

• Provide suitable complete turkey feed.

• Protect feeders from snow and moisture.

• Maintain continuous access to drinking water.

• Prevent feed from becoming wet or contaminated.

• Keep housing appropriately ventilated.

• Monitor birds for changes in appetite or condition.

• Adjust management for the birds' age and environment.

  
  

Do not automatically increase grain without considering the complete diet.

If you are uncertain about dietary adjustments for severe weather, consult a poultry nutrition specialist or veterinarian.

FAQ? About Feeding Turkeys

What is the best feed for baby turkeys?

A complete turkey starter feed formulated for young poults is generally the most suitable option. Choose a product intended for their age and follow the manufacturer's feeding directions.

Can baby turkeys eat chicken starter?

Not automatically. Turkeys may need higher protein and different amino acid levels than chickens. Only use chicken starter if its label confirms suitability for turkeys at the intended stage.

When should turkeys switch from starter to grower feed?

Many feeding programs transition around four to eight weeks, but the correct timing varies by product. Follow the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

How much feed does a turkey eat per day?

Daily feed intake depends on age, body weight, genetics and feeding program. Young poults eat much less than finishing turkeys, so it is better to plan feed quantities by growth stage rather than using one daily amount for every bird.

Can turkeys eat corn every day?

Corn may be included in a balanced turkey diet, but corn alone is not complete feed. Excessive supplemental corn can displace nutrients supplied by a formulated ration.

What is the difference between turkey starter and grower feed?

Starter feed is formulated for young poults with high early-growth nutritional needs. Grower feed is designed for developing birds and generally has a different nutrient balance.