1. Turkey Feed Pellets Advantages
When comparing pellet and mash feed with each other, the thermally treated (thus pelleted) feed obtains superior poultry performance due to gelatinisation that takes place in the pelleting die. In addition the pressure and temperature during pelleting also form a perfect hygienisation stage. Up to 99% of the natural microbial flora is eliminated. Therefore in Denmark for years it was ruled that feeds for fattening pigs had to be heated to at least 81°C during the pelleting process, so that any Salmonella would be killed.
Pelleting of feed also provides the benefits of: increasing the bulk density of feed; improving feed flow ability; and providing opportunities to reduce feed formula costs through the use of alternative feed ingredients.
2. Turkeys thrive better on pelleted feed
Pelleted feeds provide an easy-to-ingest, concentrated nutrient source that have been through a heating cycle and will therefore have a significantly reduced bacterial count. The heat of processing also assists with digestibility by pre-gelatinising starches and activating in-feed enzymes.
What to feed turkeys? Food is important to ensure you grow and raise healthy turkeys. A young turkey should be fed with a medicated 28% turkey starter, preferably for the first 8 weeks. Older turkeys can be fed with corn, rye, oats, and wheat. Pellets are to be the main diet of these birds. You can get these fowl pellets from a local farm store as well as from a pet store. You will have to crush these pellets if you are feeding them to the young turkeys.
Commercial turkey owners usually have four different feeds for their bird as they grow from day-old to market. You might need to buy at least three – starter, grower and finisher. You can make the grower feed into a finisher by giving them together with grains such as corn, oats, or wheat. Turkeys seem to benefit more than most species by switching to pelleted feeds with trial results showing that body weights at 20 weeks can be improved by up to 5% simply by using pellets.
Eventually, the pellet quality is considered in turkeys feeding, bad management of pellet quality can cost as much as 13% of the grower’s conversion ratio. In like manner, Cliff Nixey of British United Turkeys reported an improvement in growth rate and feed conversion of 5% when feed contained a low percentage of broken pellets. It’s proved that good pellet quality is necessary for the turkeys to consume enough feed to achieve their genetic potential for growth and meat development.
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