[BlitheringIdiot]

Morning all

We’ve just picked up some turkeys to fatten for Christmas.

Our local feed merchant can’t get any Turkey growers pellets until next week so I have bought a bag of poultry growers pellets for the time being, thinking this will do for now.

However, we have been told that the coccidiostat found in poultry feed can be harmful to turkeys’ health. I have checked the label an cannot see this is an ingredient, although it does contain coxidin.

Has anyone else heard of coccidiostat or coxidin being a problem for turkeys? I have googled it and can’t find anything to confirm this is the case.

Many thanks!

[Richmond]

The coccidiostat shouldn't affect turkeys. It's waterfowl who cannot have a coccidiostat. The important thing about rearing turkeys is they have enough protein, hence the difference between chicken and turkey food. A few days on a lower dose won't hurt them as long as you switch to dedicated turkey feed as soon as you can get it.

The other important thing regarding rearing turkeys is to keep them on clean ground, ie ground that has not been used by chickens, because of the risk of blackhead. Once turkeys reach maturity they are more robust but little ones and youngsters growing on are at much higher risk.

[BlitheringIdiot]

Thanks very much Richmond 

[eryl]

 i rear 6 turkeys every year from day olds. I do buy chick crumbs for them but then they go straight on to layers pellets - as do the ducks and chickens i fatten. Seems to work ok.