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.
Can Turkeys Eat Grapes? A Nutritious Treat For Your Flock
Grapes make a delicious and nutritious treat for turkeys, but can they eat them safely? With proper precautions, yes, domestic turkeys can enjoy grapes in moderation.
In the wild, turkeys eat a diverse range of fruits, seeds, greens, insects, and small animals. Their varied diet provides a spectrum of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. As omnivores, turkeys evolved to consume both plant and animal matter.
Domestic turkeys retain the same nutritional needs as their wild cousins Grapes offer domestic turkeys many of the vitamins and minerals they require in a natural, healthy treat Let’s look at the benefits and potential risks of feeding grapes to turkeys.
Nutritional Benefits Of Grapes For Turkeys
Grapes provide some great nutritional perks for turkeys. A one cup serving of grapes offers:
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Vitamin C 27% of the RDI for turkeys Vitamin C boosts immunity and collagen production
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Vitamin K: 14% of the RDI. Vitamin K aids blood clotting and bone health.
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Potassium: 12% of the RDI. Potassium supports muscle function, nerve signaling, and electrolyte balance.
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Antioxidants like resveratrol that reduce inflammation and cellular damage.
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Carbohydrates for energy. The natural sugars in grapes provide a quick energy boost.
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Hydration from their high water content. Grapes help keep turkeys hydrated.
Grapes offer a nutritious diversity to supplement a turkey’s usual diet. Their antioxidants and vitamins strengthen immunity, bones, muscles, nerves, and more. The energy from carbohydrates gives active turkeys a noticeable pep.
Potential Risks Of Feeding Grapes To Turkeys
Too much of even a good thing can be problematic. Grapes pose some potential risks:
Sugar Content
Too many grapes may cause digestive upset in turkeys. Grapes are high in natural sugars. Excessive sugar can cause loose droppings or diarrhea in turkeys if overfed.
Choking Hazard
Whole grapes present a sizeable choking risk for baby turkeys and smaller breeds. Even some adults may try to swallow them whole. Cut grapes to avoid this hazard.
Pesticides
Non-organic grapes may contain pesticide residues. Always wash grapes thoroughly before feeding. Organic is ideal.
The risks are easily avoided by following some feeding guidelines. Overall, grapes make a safe, nutritious supplement in a turkey’s diet when fed properly.
Feeding Guidelines For Grapes
Follow these tips for safely feeding grapes to turkeys:
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Wash thoroughly before feeding to remove pesticides.
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Cut or slice grapes into pieces to prevent choking.
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Remove seeds if feeding young poults.
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Feed as occasional treats, not daily. 1-2 times a week is sufficient.
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Limit portion size to a handful per turkey.
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Mix with other fruits and treats for variety.
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Introduce slowly to chicks and young poults.
Following the feeding guidelines prevents overconsumption and allows turkeys to safely enjoy the nutrition of grapes.
The Verdict: Yes, Turkeys Can Eat Grapes!
Grapes offer a tasty way to provide turkeys with supplemental nutrition from vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Their natural sugars do present some risks if overfed, but these are easily avoided.
Overall, grapes make a nutritious, low-risk treat when fed properly a couple times a week. Watch your flock relish these sweet, hydrating morsels! A handful of cut grapes here and there gives turkeys a healthy boost without disrupting their balanced diet.
So relax and offer your turkeys a few grapes as a special snack. Just be sure to follow the guidelines to avoid overfeeding. If you want to try other fruits, check out our list of the fruits turkeys can and can’t eat. With some common sense precautions, grapes and other produce make great additions to your flock’s feed regimen.
What time of day do Wild turkeys feed?
Turkeys feed primarily at dawn and dusk. When they awake from their slumber, turkeys gather in flocks near their nighttime roosts and set off the forage.
Their morning foraging session lasts around 2 to 3 hours, longer if there’s limited food and they need to travel further to find it.
At dusk, turkeys again go out to forage in small flocks before bedding down into their nighttime roosts.
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
Wild Turkeys Eating Wild Grapes in Connecticut
FAQ
Can you feed turkeys grapes?
What fruits can turkeys eat?
What not to feed wild turkeys?
What is the best thing to feed turkeys?
Can turkeys eat grapes?
Turkeys love grapes. Matured turkeys can eat grapes whole, but you should remove the seeds from grapes for baby turkeys. Grapes contain a lot of moisture, sugars, and vitamins (among others) for your turkeys. Just do not give too many grapes to your turkeys. Turkeys will become happier if you give them a tomato-rich diet.
Can one eat grapes?
The grape can be consumed raw, with peel and seed, or it can be used in preparations such as juices, sweets, salads, popsicles, jellies, jellies, mousses and in the manufacture of wines. The mineral whose content stands out the most is potassium, with a moderate content of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Can turkeys eat wild fruits?
As wild birds, turkeys can eat wild fruits. Their instincts can tell them which fruit is safe or not. When foraging for food, turkeys do eat some wild fruits. To be safe, do not mix wild fruits with other fruits when feeding your turkeys. Your turkeys should select what they eat by themselves.
Can turkeys eat apples?
Well, so do turkeys. Apples are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, fibers, and other nutrients. Turkeys can eat apple whole, but you should be careful so they do not eat too many apple seeds. It is best to make a fruit salad with apples for your turkeys. Pineapples are among the favorite fruits of turkeys.