Blueberries are a nutritious snack that both humans and animals enjoy But can our feathered friends, namely turkeys, eat these tasty berries too? The short answer is yes, turkeys can and do eat blueberries!
In the wild, turkeys are omnivorous birds that will eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter. This includes fruits like blueberries that provide sugars, vitamins, and antioxidants. Though not a huge portion of their natural diet, wild turkeys will happily gobble up ripe blueberries when they come across bushes.
The same holds true for domestic turkeys. Blueberries make for a safe, healthy, and delicious supplemental treat for your flock. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of blueberries for turkeys, and some tips for feeding these jewel-toned berries.
Nutritional Benefits of Blueberries for Turkeys
Blueberries offer lots of great nutrition for turkeys in a petite package. Here are some of the top nutrients and compounds found in blueberries that are beneficial for turkeys:
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Vitamin C – This vitamin supports immune system health and function. The vitamin C in blueberries can help your turkeys fight off illness and disease.
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Manganese – This essential mineral is needed for healthy bones and egg production in turkeys It also aids in fat and carbohydrate metabolism,
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Antioxidants – Blueberries contain flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids that act as antioxidants. These compounds help counteract cellular damage and inflammation.
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Fiber – While not a huge source, blueberries do provide some dietary fiber. Fiber supports digestion and gut health in turkeys.
The combo of carbs, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in blueberries makes them a nutritious supplement for your flock.
Feeding Blueberries to Turkeys
When adding blueberries to your turkeys’ diet here are some tips to follow
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Give just a few berries per bird at a time as an occasional treat. Too many too often can cause loose droppings.
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Mash or chop berries for younger birds. Whole berries present a choking hazard for poults.
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Mix in with other fruits or treats. Variety is important, rather than just blueberries alone.
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Remove any spoiled or moldy berries first, as they can make your flock sick.
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Offer berries fresh, or frozen and thawed. Avoid giving processed types with added sugars.
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Provide access to fresh water. The juices in berries will make your flock thirsty.
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Monitor to ensure berries are actually being eaten, and not wasted.
Following these tips will allow you to safely incorporate blueberries into your turkeys’ diet.
Can Turkeys Overindulge on Blueberries?
While nutritious and safe in moderation, it is possible for turkeys to overindulge on blueberries. Eating too many berries at once can lead to digestive upset for your flock.
Signs that your turkeys have had too many blueberries include:
- Loose, wet droppings
- Lack of appetite
- Stained vents
- Reduced activity
Luckily these issues are temporary. Simply remove access to blueberries for a few days. Their systems will reset and return to normal.
To prevent overindulgence, stick to giving blueberries as an infrequent treat in limited amounts. Following the portion guidelines above will allow your turkeys to enjoy berries without adverse effects.
The Bottom Line
When given properly, ripe blueberries make for a safe, healthy, and tasty supplemental food for domestic turkeys. These colorful berries deliver key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
In moderation, blueberries can be a nutritious part of your turkeys’ balanced diet. Just be mindful of portion sizes to prevent digestive issues. Overall, blueberries are a delicious way to provide supplemental nutrition to your flock.
Access to Turkey “grit”
Do NOT feed – oyster shell grit
They need turkey grit, or access to small pebbles, dirt, gravel
Grazing is GREAT for turkeys! They love Grass and the bugs they can get and rocks for their grit
Wild Turkey’s eat – worms, insects, fruits, seeds, snails, berries, nuts, plants, and small vertebrates.
Homemade Turkey foods – veggie and fruit scraps,
Grains – Barley, Black oil sunflower seeds, Bulgar, Milo, Millet, Flax, Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rice (cooked), Pasta (cooked)
Fruits are treats, not stapes of the diet – Grapes, Raisins, Peaches, Apples, Pears, Bananas (no peel), Crabapples, Cherries, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries.
Veggies – pretty much all of them except ones listed in “Toxic foods” below
Nuts – if salted, wash the salt off. Acorns, Pine nuts, Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts, Brazil nuts, Beechnuts, Hickory nuts, Peanuts (food grade, not garden peanuts)
Dairy – Cheese, Yogurt
Poults or Chicks, 1-5 weeks old – need 26%-30% Protein feed, look for Turkey or Gamebird “Starter”
Young Turkeys, 5-12 weeks old – 20-24% Protein feed, Turkey or game bird “Grower”
Adult Turkeys, 13 weeks + need 14-16% Protein feed, regular turkey or game bird feed.
Do NOT feed Turkey’s MEDICATED chick starter
The following are Toxic to Turkeys, DO NOT FEED!
Rhubarb Leaves – poisonous to all animals!
Raw Peanuts – aflatoxin fungus
Avocado – deadly to all birds
Potato peels, sprouts, leaves – any green parts are poisonous to birds and people.
Moldy or rotting foods
Turkeys Eating Blueberries!!
FAQ
What fruits can turkeys eat?
What kind of berries do turkeys like?
What is a turkey’s favorite food?
What do turkeys not like to eat?
Can turkeys eat blueberries?
Yes. Turkeys love all kinds of berries and blueberries are no exception. Blueberries contain vitamins and minerals that are great for the immune system, and turkeys really love them, making them a great treat. Can Turkeys Eat Broccoli? Yes, in limited amounts.
Is it possible to eat too many blueberries?
The daily recommendation of blueberries is no more than 1 or 2 cups to avoid negative side effects. Consuming higher amounts, can lead to digestive issues, blood sugar imbalances, tooth decay, allergic reactions, and kidney stones.
Can turkeys eat blackberries?
Blackberries provide dense cover for young turkeys and plenty of edible berries and leaves for adult birds. Additional fruit-bearing shrubs and bushes you can plant include Raspberries, Snowberries, Strawberries, and other similar plants. You can plant them alone or in addition to a variety of other plants and trees.
What berries do turkeys eat?
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, and various other evergreens besides, are common targets for turkeys.