The High-Protein Feed Schedule

The Protein Ladder: A 20-Week Plan

Turkeys have the highest protein requirement of any domestic poultry. If you miss the protein target in the first 8 weeks, you can never fix it later; the bird will stay stunted.

1. Turkey Starter (Weeks 0–8): This must be 28% Protein. It is the most expensive feed, but also the most important. It builds the frame (bones and organs). In many local shops, you might only find 20% or 24% Chick Starter – this is not enough for turkeys. You may need to ask your miller for a specific turkey mix or “Pre-Starter.”

2. Turkey Grower (Weeks 9–16): The protein drops to 24%. This is the Muscle Phase. The birds are now eating much more volume, and their weight will start to double every few weeks.

3. Turkey Finisher (Weeks 17–Market): The protein drops to 18–20%, but the energy (fats/carbs) increases. This is the Polishing Phase where the bird puts on the fat that makes the meat juicy and gives the skin that golden-brown color when roasted.

The Feed Conversion Math

To be a successful agripreneur, you must track your FCR. For a commercial Broad Breasted White:

• Target FCR: Around 2.5:1 to 3:1

• What this means: For every 3kg of feed the turkey eats, it should gain 1kg of body weight.

• The Warning: If you reach week 22 and the bird is only gaining 100g but eating 500g of feed a day, your FCR has flipped. You are losing money every day you keep that bird. This is your Sell Window.

Water: The Silent Growth Promoter

A turkey can go a day without food, but 12 hours without water will stop its growth for a week.

• Volume: A mature turkey drinks about 1 liter of water per day. In hot areas like Mombasa or Kano, they may drink double that.

• Temperature: If the water in the plastic drinkers gets hot under the sun, the turkeys won’t drink it. Hot water also grows bacteria. Keep drinkers in the shade and refill with cool water at midday.

Case Study: Chidera’s Protein Pivot in Enugu

Chidera was feeding his turkeys standard Broiler Starter (22% protein) because it was easy to find. At 10 weeks, his birds were small and many had bowed legs because their bones weren’t strong enough. He switched to a specialized 28% Turkey Starter (sourced from a larger city) for his next batch. Even though the bag cost 20% more, his birds reached 10kg three weeks faster than the previous batch. He saved more money on total days of labor than he spent on the extra cost of the high-protein feed.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Never switch feed suddenly: If you move from Starter to Grower, mix them 50/50 for three days. A sudden change can cause diarrhea.

• Check the Grit: Turkeys don’t have teeth. If they aren’t on a floor with small pebbles, you must provide “grit” (coarse sand or crushed stones) to help them grind the food in their gizzard.

• Feed Quality: Avoid dusty”feed. Turkeys have sensitive lungs and can get respiratory irritation from inhaling fine feed dust.