Virtual Turkey Tour - Feeding Turkeys

Turkeys are fed mainly a balanced diet of corn and soybean meal mixed with a supplement of vitamins and minerals. This food, as well as fresh water and clean air, is available at all times. On average, it takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 30-pound tom turkey. Feed ingredients account for about 2/3 of the cost of raising a turkey.

All turkeys are hormone and steroid free. Use of these substances is prohibited by the USDA, and are not necessary. Genetic improvements, better feed formulation, and modern management practices are responsible for the larger turkeys produced today.

Just as responsible parents use medicines to protect and treat their children, turkey growers judiciously use FDA-approved and veterinarian-prescribed medications at times to help suppress microorganisms and prevent disease. A withdrawal period is required after the administration of the medication and before the turkey can be processed, so that the turkey does not contain significant residues when it goes to market. The use of medications is carefully monitored by the USDA.

Modern feedmills like the one shown here mix feed formulations that are scientifically designed to provide the best nutrition for each stage of the turkey's life cycle.

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