36 Things That Are Safe for Turkeys to Eat

When it comes to poultry, turkeys are becoming increasingly popular on homesteads around the country. Aside from providing a mountain of delicious meat when harvested and pretty large eggs, turkeys can deter some predators on the homestead due to their large size. Plus lots of people just like having these jumbo birds around!

Turkeys are fascinating birds, and also ones with highly varied diets whether they’re in the wild or in captivity. If you want to keep turkeys yourself, the first step begins with understanding what they eat. Keep reading and I’ll tell you a lot more about what they typically eat in the wild and in domestic settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKmptTLGYt4

What Do Turkeys Eat in the Wild?

Just because a turkey is living in the wild doesn’t mean it does not enjoy a varied diet. They still do, the difference is they have to take what they can find depending on the season.

The foods below represent a typical cross-section of a wild turkey’s diet…

Acorns and Other Tree Nuts

Acorns and other tree nuts are a common part of a turkey’s diet wherever they live, providing lots of energy and various vitamins and minerals. Aside from acorns, they can eat (and like!) beechnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, walnuts and peanuts. No, peanuts aren’t really a nut, but they are ok for them to have so long as they are not moldy (which would contaminate them with aflatoxins)!

Just keep in mind that nuts vary a lot in terms of the nutrients that they have, particularly in protein, fat, and minerals. This is important particularly for your poults, that need more protein in their diets than adults…

Plant Buds

Tender buds from all kinds of plants are a choice eating for turkeys. Like most omnivorous birds, such greenery is easy for turkeys to digest and gives them quick energy and abundant minerals. From ferns and various wildflowers to pine, alfalfa and burdock, there is hardly a plant out there that turkeys won’t nibble on.

Moss

Mosses are another food of opportunity for turkeys, and although most have very little in the way of nutrients, every bit helps. In some forests, especially during the late fall and winter, moss might be one of the few foods that a turkey can reliably find…

Berries

Turkeys love all sorts of wild berries, but they are especially fond of cherries. Full of sugar and needed vitamins, berry bushes will be frequented by turkeys whenever they’re bearing fruit. Blueberries, elderberries, huckleberries, and more are all on the menu.

Ferns

Ferns, and various other evergreens besides, are common targets for turkeys. These plants are typically tender and easy for turkeys to eat, and they can get some calories and some vitamins and minerals out of them. This is another food source that’s especially important in the late fall and wintertime.

Seeds

Lots of seeds will be on the menu for turkeys at one point or another (though it’s worth mentioning that many, like coffee senna, are poisonous to them). Whether it is grass, shrub, tree, or something else, turkeys will gobble them up. Sunflower and flax seeds are their favorites, and highly nutritious. Seeds are a good source of protein, fat, calories, and minerals.

Snails and Slugs

Slow-moving snails have no chance of getting away from turkeys, and their sharp beaks can easily extract the soft body of the snail from the shell, and sometimes turkeys will eat the shell and all, crushing up the shell for its minerals inside their gizzard. A few examples:

• fence lizards
• small anoles
• salamanders
• skinks
• geckos

The issue with these is that they carry certain parasites, for example tapeworm.

Small Reptiles

Believe it or not, turkeys are opportunistic hunters of various small reptiles and sometimes amphibians. The payoff in protein is obvious, and most of these creatures aren’t quick enough to get away from a sharp-eyed turkey.

Beetles

Beetles are a major food source for turkeys, supplying protein, fat and various minerals. Many kinds are edible to them, and found all over the continent, meaning they are another mainstay for these big birds. Consider these:

• ground beetles
• leaf beetles
• scarab beetles
• weevils
• etc.

But not all beetles are good, some can be downright lethal. Some may have defensive mechanisms to protect them from their natural predators, like the blister beetles that produce a chemical called cantharidin that can kill various predators that would feed on them (though I couldn’t find turkeys named specifically).

Other Insects

All sorts of other insects are likewise good eating for turkeys, although they can’t eat quite everything. Some creatures can be toxic, but turkeys are pretty good about avoiding dangerous species. As always, insects are a terrific source of protein and minerals, and some supply much-needed dietary fat and amino acids.

Worms, Grubs, and other Critters

Just like so many other wild birds, turkeys enjoy a great variety of other tiny creatures like worms, grubs, and various other creepy crawlies. If they can find it, peck it out, or scratch it up, they will eat it. All supply protein and other nutrients that they need. Naturally, many of these sources are unavailable in the wintertime but turkeys will feast in the spring and summer.

What Can Domesticated Turkeys Eat?

If anything, domestic turkeys enjoy an even more varied menu than their wild cousins. They can still eat all the same things, make no mistake, but these domestic birds get access to all sorts of delicacies and treats that they would never conceivably get out in nature.

But just because that is so does not mean that these interesting foods aren’t healthy or good for them!

Turkey Feed

Turkeys kept in captivity have access, usually, to their own specially formulated feed, just like chickens and ducks do. Turkey-specific pellets and other mass-produced food have ideal ratios of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that depend on their development stage. It’s often expensive, at least it’s more expensive compared to chicken feed, but it is a mainstay item for most domestic birds.

Chicken Feed

Your turkeys will probably prove to be inveterate thieves of chicken feed (if they can get to it), but the good news is that chicken feed is pretty close to what turkey need nutritionally (though not identical)! Turkeys definitely need more protein in their feed than chickens, so don’t make it a habit of feeding them chicken feed.

The other thing is, chicken feed is nutritionally balanced for chickens and often medicated, so don’t let your turkeys get access to any medicated feed.

This means they could be getting too much medication, not to mention the active ingredients in them may be different from what they need. Now, this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be getting medicated feed at all, just that they should get one specifically made for them, and only when they need it.

So the verdict for chicken feed for turkeys: a cautious yes in limited amounts, and definitely not the medicated kinds…

Chick/Starter Feed

Just like chicken feed above, turkeys can eat chick starter feed safely as long as it isn’t medicated and in small amounts. Chick feed has the same problem, not enough protein for turkeys’ needs, so if you are feeding them this stuff periodically, make sure you meed their protein needs at the end of the day.

Seeds

Domestic turkeys love to get all kinds of seeds, with black oil sunflower seeds being among their very favorites, though they will eat grass seeds and anything else they can find. Seeds are packed with protein and some good fats along with some minerals that they need.

Acorns

Acorns are a good item for domestic turkeys, and one they are used to eating in a wild setting. Contrary to popular belief, unless turkeys are eating tons of acorns day in and day out, they won’t hurt them.

Tannins, a toxic compound that acorns have, are problematic but as long as your turkeys are getting them in low amounts, there should be no issue. Sadly, we don’t have a toxicity threshold for turkeys, but in chickens, anywhere between 0.5 to 5 g per kilo of feed has been deemed safe.

Meat

As genuinely omnivorous birds, turkeys can eat all kinds of meat- beef, pork, poultry, and more- and have even been known to peck at fresh carcasses in the wild. Owners can serve their flocks all sorts of nutritious meat on the homestead, but they should avoid any meat that is moldy or spoiled, and should ideally be cooked.

Small Reptiles

Turkeys eat little reptiles in the wild, and they’ll eat them in captivity also. No matter where you live, unless you live someplace that is truly frozen all the time, there are always tiny little lizards, skinks, and other critters running around – so long as they are on the smaller side. Turkeys will eat them all!

Insects

Turkeys can eat all sorts of insects on the homestead. They will chow down on flies, beetles, ticks, centipedes, ants, termites, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, crickets and a whole lot more.

All have different nutritional profiles but you can generally depend on them containing plenty of protein, good fats and minerals.

A great source of energy that you can serve to your flock deliberately or let them forage for when free-ranging.

Worms

Just like lizards and insects, turkeys are always going to have access to worms on the homestead. You can also supplement their diet with purchased mealworms or other types. They’re full of protein and good fats and minerals that will benefit turkeys. Let your turkeys free-range after a good rain, and they will get lots of worms to eat.

Watermelon

Watermelons are greatly loved by turkeys, and they’re wonderful for giving them a boost of energy and additional hydration on hot days. Watermelon is also a modest of vitamin C and vitamin A, but like most fruits should be a limited part of their diet because they are so sugary. And yes, turkeys can eat the seeds safely.

Honeydew

Honeydew is another melon that is great for turkeys, and one that they love to get as a treat. Soft and easy to digest, it is a good source of vitamins. But once again, watch the quantity because they are still pretty sugary with even more sugar per serving than watermelon at around 8.1 grams per 100 grams.

Cantaloupe

Another melon, and another kind that turkeys love. Cantaloupes are very nutritious and easy to digest, and they also contain edible seeds that turkeys will be more than happy to eat for some extra vitamins and minerals.

Apples

Turkeys can eat the skin and flesh of apples, and both are easy for them to digest, but the seeds are one of the few things that turkeys shouldn’t eat, and that’s because they have compounds (in particular, amygdalin) that release hydrogen cyanide when digested. One or two aren’t going to harm your turkeys, but make it a point to remove the seeds prior to serving.

Peaches

Another deliciously delectable treat for turkeys, peaches have vitamins A and C but aren’t as nutritious as some other fruits. Nonetheless, they are beneficial and are a wonderful treat. Serve sparingly, and discard the pit: it is too hard even for turkeys to break down and it is also toxic if digested in the same way that apple seeds are.

Strawberries

Strawberries, like all berries, are truly beloved by turkeys and they make a wonderful snack or supplement for them. Packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants, along with some manganese, strawberries are another healthy berry. But, as with all fruits, watch the quantity and the feeding schedule because too much sugar is bad.

Blueberries

No surprise here, turkeys can and will eat blueberries. But blueberries are even sweeter than strawberries, and have their own array of vitamins and antioxidants.

These are a great treat to dole out one at a time for bonding with or trying to train your turkeys. No issues with the seeds, no problems with the sugar content if fed in moderation, and there’s even some evidence that dried blueberry pomace is used as a feed ingredient for chickens. The paper I linked to only was about a 42 days trial, so they didn’t test this over the long term.

Grapes

Grapes are a good option for giving your turkeys a sweet treat, some easily digestible carbohydrates for energy and small amounts of some vitamins and antioxidants.

Like every fruit on this list, the sugar content is a drawback, so turkeys should only get grapes occasionally as part of a well-rounded diet. They can also eat the seeds of varieties that have them.

Raisins

Raisins are just dried grapes, but the drying process concentrates the sugar and removes moisture, meaning they have much more sugar per gram, so they are easy to overeat. Ask me how I know! Only be given to your turkeys as a rare treat…

Pineapple

Another food that turkeys would never, ever conceivably get in the wild, it is nonetheless a nutritious and sweet treat for them. But pay attention to what I said: it is a treat only!

Bananas

How in the world would a turkey ever get a banana in the wild? Doesn’t matter, because they can eat them! Bananas are a great source of nutrients that turkeys need like vitamin B6, potassium and other electrolytes. Turkeys can also eat the peels, but most don’t like them.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich, juicy and packed with vitamins, particularly vitamin A and vitamin C. Loaded with other antioxidants, they are good for the immune system of turkeys, but they should be fed on a limited basis because they have a tendency to cause watery droppings if they get too much.

Caution: turkeys should never eat any other part of the tomato plant because they contain these toxic compounds named glycoalkaloids, one of them being solanine.

Pumpkins

Pumpkin is a truly great food for turkeys, and is an easily digestible source of many vitamins and dietary fiber, with vitamins A, E and C being quite abundant. Compared to other fruits and veggies, pumpkins are also relatively low on sugar. You will, of course, need to bust open the pumpkin so they can get to the soft flesh inside.

Carrots

Carrots have a reputation as a healthy vegetable and that’s with good reason. They provide beta carotene (which the birds convert to vitamin A) along with B-complex vitamins that should help the nervous system and eye health in turkeys. And they have other benefits besides!

Turkeys can eat the greens and the taproot itself, but make sure you finely chop or gently cook the latter because they may be a little tough to swallow.

Celery

Don’t be fooled by the slander against celery: it’s a surprisingly nutritious veggie, and one that is easily digestible and beneficial for turkeys. Celery has some vitamins particularly vitamin K, and some minerals too.

Lettuce

Lettuce, like lots of other leafy vegetables, is a good choice for turkeys although each variety has a different nutritional profile with some being better and some being worse. The more nutritious varieties will have lots of vitamins and a few minerals, and all lettuce is easy for your birds to digest.

Kale

One of the most nutritionally complete leafy vegetables out there, kale is chock full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that will benefit turkeys.

But the good news is, it’s actually recommended by a University extension – the leaves at least, and they are in favor of the leaves of various other garden veggies such as carrots and cabbage. They also say this is a way to reduce the amount of turkey feed, but don’t interpret that as reducing most of it: turkeys still need most of their diet to consist of their special feed, so give kale as a treat only!

Potatoes

Potatoes can be a good source of carbohydrates and minerals for turkeys, but they can also be problematic. Ideally, potatoes will be cooked prior to serving and only served plain. On the other hand, green or sprouted potatoes as well as all other parts of the plant are toxic because they contain solanine (just like tomato plants elsewhere on this list).

Corn

Corn is a calorie-dense food, particularly important as a warming feed during the coldest months. It also has lots of minerals that are good for them. Corn has a marked tendency to cause weight gain, though, so watch the quantities. Keep in mind wild turkeys will eat it in the wild when available, so every now and then, but on the homestead, they can easily overeat it.

Rice

Turkeys can eat raw or cooked rice, but cooked rice, as long as it’s plain, might be easier for them to digest. I say “might” because I couldn’t find any research on rice being fed to turkeys in particular. Most of it is on chickens. Ideally you should feed your birds both cooked and uncooked and see which one they like best.

Don’t believe the myth that rice somehow swells inside a bird’s stomach. Nothing bad will happen to them. Also don’t worry about the starch; instead, worry about how much rice you give them (ideally, in moderation). All kinds of rice are loaded with readily-digestible starch and some minerals, but be aware that they are energy-dense, so mind the quantity!

Bread

Turkeys, like our ducks and chickens, can have bread as a treat every now and then. But you should keep in mind that it is sort of like junk food because of the lack of nutrients. Sure, it can give them a little bit of energy, but it’s also known to cause serious issues in birds when they get too much or get it too often. Don’t overdo it!