Can Turkeys Eat Bread? Benefits and Risks

There are just two wild turkeys in the genus Meleagris, the Wild turkey of North America and the Ocellated turkey of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. There are established populations in 49 US states, and they’re one of the most well-studied birds on the planet.

Wild turkeys have rich and complex social lives and are intelligent birds. However, most people are familiar with turkeys because they eat them! But here, we’re going to answer, what do turkeys eat?

Turkeys are extremely adaptable in their diets, but they almost solely consume vegetable and plant matter. Invertebrates and snails consist of around 10% of their diets and are an important source of dietary protein in the first six months of a turkey’s life. Some of their staple foods are grains, acorns, bulbs, shoots, tubers, leaves and grasses.

When in season, turkeys consume berries and other low-lying fruits. Insects, invertebrates and vertebrates such as small reptiles and salamanders make up a small portion of their diet, especially in the case of the northeastern silvestris subspecies.

Turkeys feed by foraging from the ground and low-lying shrubs. Feeding is a communal activity, taking place in flocks of several birds.

Turkeys are a fun addition to any backyard flock. Their excited gobbling and curious personalities make them endearing birds. As a responsible turkey owner, it’s important to understand their nutritional needs. One common question is – can turkeys eat bread? Let’s explore the benefits and risks of feeding bread to turkeys.

An Overview of Feeding Turkeys

Before diving into bread specifically it helps to understand the general dietary requirements for turkeys. Here are some key facts

Turkeys need around 28% protein in their diet for proper growth and development. This is higher than chickens.
They benefit from formulated turkey-specific feed that contains vitamins minerals, and amino acids. Game bird feed can work too.
Turkeys enjoy treats like seeds, nuts, corn, peas, berries, and some fruits in moderation. Greens, bugs, and small reptiles add variety.
Some foods to avoid include chocolate, raw beans, onion, avocado, dried fruit with pits, moldy foods, and items high in salt or fat.

With this baseline established, how does bread fit into the picture?

The Benefits of Bread for Turkeys

In moderation, bread offers some potential benefits:

It provides energy from carbohydrates. Turkeys can use this quick boost.
The texture is soft and palatable. Turkeys seem to enjoy nibbling on bread.
It may supply some protein and fiber, depending on the type of bread. Whole grains are best.
Bread is often easily accessible and makes a convenient snack or treat.

Our turkeys come running when we walk out the door of the house, as we are almost always carrying a snack for the eager flock. By far, the turkey’s favorite snacks are small pieces of bananas. However they readily gobble down any type of bread, raisins and grapes.

Many backyard turkey keepers report that their birds relish bread, especially gluten-free varieties. The key is moderation, sticking to healthy whole grain options, and ensuring the main diet still meets nutritional requirements.

The Potential Risks of Bread for Turkeys

Despite some benefits, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of when feeding bread to turkeys:

Bread lacks key amino acids needed for growth, like lysine and methionine. It should not be a dietary staple.
High carb foods like bread can lead to obesity and related health issues if overfed.
Bread spoils quickly and moldy bread can make turkeys sick. Only feed fresh bread.
Wet, sticky bread may clog digestive tracts or lead to impactions.
Poor nutrition from too much bread can cause problems like angel wing.
Bread may fill up turkeys so they eat less of their balanced feed.
For wild or range turkeys, bread may discourage natural foraging.

For these reasons, many experts recommend limiting bread for turkeys. The nutrients and texture make it an occasional treat, but it shouldn’t become a mainstay of the diet. Follow these best practices for minimizing risk:

Best Practices for Feeding Bread to Turkeys

If you want to share a little bread with your turkeys, here are some tips to do it safely:

Only use fresh, mold-free bread a day or two old at most. Check carefully for any signs of mold.
Choose whole grain breads whenever possible for more nutrients. Avoid processed white breads.
Tear the bread into small pieces to prevent choking.
Feed bread in moderation – no more than 10% of daily food intake.
Make sure turkeys still have unlimited access to their regular feed.
Avoid feeding wet bread that could clog up the digestive tract.
Monitor turkeys for signs of malnutrition like lethargy or angel wing.
Offer bread as a sporadic treat, not a daily routine.

Following these precautions will allow you to share the joy of bread with your turkeys while avoiding potential pitfalls. Bread can be part of a varied diet, but should not become a staple. With some common sense, this fun, snackable food can be a healthy component. So go ahead and indulge your flock’s excitement for bread – in moderation. Those adorable beaks were made for nibbling after all! Stay tuned for more backyard poultry tips and tricks.

can turkeys eat bread

What not to feed Wild turkeys?

Wild turkeys shouldn’t be fed bread or large, hard foods that can choke a bird. The following foods should never be fed to any wild birds:

Close up of a wild turkey drinking water

How do Wild turkeys find food?

Turkeys are excellent at spatial mapping and have strong memories, which allows them to remember where food is abundant across their range. When it’s time to feed, turkeys form flocks that wander towards these food ‘hotspots’.

A foraging group of turkeys often walks in a line with the dominant hen in the centre, feeding as they rummage the undergrowth.

While feeding, turkeys rip or tear their food from the ground, tree or bush and usually swallow it in one swift movement. Food is either swallowed into the stomach or stored in the crop.

feeding the turkeys bread

FAQ

Is it okay to feed bread to turkeys?

Bread is really, really bad for birds. Basically, bread robs birds of the opportunity to take in the true nourishment their bodies require to survive. Bread offers wild birds absolutely ZERO nutrition.

What can you feed wild turkey?

Wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers and can eat a wide variety of leaves, grass, seeds, berries, insects, worms, snails, frogs, and small reptiles. This allows them to thrive in a variety of natural habitats. They also can inhabit residential areas, particularly where they are being fed.

Can turkeys eat meat?

Yes, they can. Turkeys are omnivores and that means they eat animal and vegetable matter. Turkeys can eat all kinds of fresh meat, be it from mammals, other birds, reptiles, amphibians, or insects.

Can one have turkey and carrots?

Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.

Can turkeys eat chicken food?

The answer is an easy yes. Your turkey can live off of chicken feed but, it isn’t the best option for him nutritionally. It’s kind of like feeding cat food to your dog. Much like dogs and cats, turkeys and chickens require differing nutritional makeups for their food.

Can turkeys eat dog food?

Yes, but only incidentally. Dog food is for dogs, not turkeys, and is nowhere near nutritionally balanced for them. If a turkey swipes a few bites of dog food it isn’t going to hurt it, but deliberately feeding it to them will cause problems. Can Turkeys Eat Eggs? Yes, turkeys can and will eat eggs.