In addition to chufa and clover, specialists with Clemson Extension Forestry and Natural Resources recommend field corn, oats, ryegrass and sorghum. Turkeys will forage on field corn from fall into winter; be sure to plant at least an acre to allow enough corn for other wildlife foragers, such as deer.
What’s the best thing to plant for wild turkeys?
Turkeys prefer thinner vegetation when foraging and strutting. Some of the most popular and well known plants for turkeys include agricultural crops like rye, millet, oats, wheat, soybeans and sorghum. Chufa, a plant which forms small underground tubers, is also a favorite of wild turkeys.
Which clover is best for turkeys?
Durana is an intermediate type clover that is tolerant of deer pressure and produces more seed and smaller leaves for turkey. Since it is a perennial, Durana will last for several years and will provide a highly digestible, high protein food plot for deer, turkey and many other types of wildlife.
What should you not feed turkeys?
Foods You Should Never Feed to Turkeys
- Low-quality chicken feed. Turkeys require more protein than chickens do, therefore, a simple chicken feed will not contain the nutrition that a turkey needs.
- Other Livestock Feeds.
- Dried/Raw Beans.
- Avocados.
- Fruit Pits and Seeds.
- Tomato and Eggplant Leaves.
- Raw Meat.
- Onions.
Are oats good for turkeys?
All in all the re- sults of the first 4 trials show heavy oats (36 pounds per bushel) to be a satisfactory grain for turkeys.
Does clover attract turkey?
Clover can undoubtedly be one of the best choices for a turkey food plot. Not only does it provide a great source of food but, as a legume, it also attracts lots of insects for young poults and adult turkeys alike. Its low growth also provides an excellent location for gobblers to strut and young poults to forage.
Can you plant clover in the winter?
The theory behind frost seeding is that during winter, the soil surface freezes and thaws causing the soil to “honeycomb” or loosen. Broadcasting clover seed over these loose soils in mid to late winter (late January – early March) allows for excellent seed-soil contact.
What’s the best food plot for turkey and deer?
Food Plot Tips to Attract Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey
- If your goal is to attract whitetail deer, corn, alfalfa and clover are certainly effective.
- Corn supports many other species, alfalfa and clover are mainly important to deer.
- Diverse planting such as buckwheat, sunflowers and sorghum can attract more game animals.
How do you plant clover for turkey?
I’ll spread the clover seed over one corner or one small finger of the field. Clover is a productive food for both deer and turkeys. When the annuals that are planted to hunt over during deer season die off, the clover still will be in that corner of the field where I’ve spread it before hunting season.
Can turkeys eat bird seed?
Foods They Eat
Seeds and grains, including spilled birdseed or corn and wheat in agricultural fields. Berries, wild grapes, crabapples, and other small fruits. Small reptiles, including lizards and snakes.
Can turkeys eat potato peels?
Turkeys should not eat:
Potato Peels. Sprouts, and Leaves – The green areas of potatoes are poisonous to both humans and birds.
Do turkeys eat sunflower seeds?
Seeds- Another easily attainable food source, seeds provide even more nutrition for wild turkeys. Mixing seeds and cracked corn makes a great spread out meal. Sunflower, milo, and millet are all enjoyable types of seeds to put out for wild turkeys.
What are turkeys favorite food?
Preferred foods of wild turkeys
Generally, turkeys thrive in and near mature forests that produce abundant amounts of mast, the fruits and nuts of woody plants. In the spring, they tend to eat leaves and grasses, and in the fall, they feed more on fruits, berries, seeds and insects.
What is a good food plot for turkey?
A mixture of corn, cereal grains, and green field is the ideal mix for turkey food plots. If you need to create openings for food plots, concentrate on clearing timber or brush that isn’t producing valuable hard mast. Forage-rich openings, food plots and small fields will be prime bird-attracting tools.
What do turkeys eat in the winter?
The largest part of their diet is usually nuts, especially acorns, beechnuts, and hickory nuts. In most winters, there are ample supplies of nuts on the forest floor. Turkeys are vulnerable when deep snow stays on the ground for weeks at a time and covers their favorite feeding places.
How do I attract turkeys to my property?
Turkeys are omnivorous and will sample a wide variety of foods. To attract turkeys to your yard, you can provide them with a large ground feeding station containing cracked corn or mixed birdseed. Turkeys will also happily clean up any spills under hanging feeders you may have up for other birds.
Do turkeys like wheat fields?
Ag Fields With Clover, Alfalfa, Wheat, and Corn
Turkeys love these high-protein and high-fat foods and will feed on the tender leaves and leftover grains in areas that aren’t pressured too hard. Tip: Avoid tall, unharvested wheat fields.
Do turkeys like cereal rye?
Cereal grains such as rye and wheat will also benefit turkeys and quail in the spring and summer.
Can I just throw clover seed on the ground?
Planting Clover
You can plant clover by itself for ground cover, but it stands up better to foot traffic when combined with lawn grass. Only 5 to 10% by weight of tiny clover seed needs to be mixed with the recommended amount of grass seed to create a thick stand.
What is a good cover crop for winter?
Examples include winter field beans and peas, clover and vetch. These are all types of legume and are a great choice for sowing before nitrogen-hungry brassicas such as cabbage.
Can you frost seed in December?
Frost seeding can be done over a thin layer of snow. However, be aware that rapid snow melt can cause the seed to be washed off the pasture. Frost seeding can also be done in December once growth has stopped for the year and before snowfall.