The limited-range method with full feeding, as described, is recommended in preference to free range with limited feeding. However, conditions sometimes demand that free range be permitted, and limited feeding practiced. In such cases, when natural feed is abundant, good results can be obtained by feeding the poults, after they are from 8 to 10 weeks old, only once daily, as previously suggested. Any of the growing mashes previously listed should make a good supplement to range feeds. This extra feed will tend to keep the birds nearer home and keep them growing at a reasonably good rate. Scratch grains should also be fed and as marketing time approaches, will be eaten more liberally by the birds. For turkeys on free range, plenty of water in convenient locations should be provided. Water helps to maintain good health and may help to prevent the condition known as "crop bound."
Turkeys which are well fed should make increases in weight comparable to those given in [table 2], which gives the average weights, at various ages, ox Bronze turkeys raised in an experiment conducted at the United States Range Livestock Experiment Station at Miles City, Mont. These birds were fed starting and growing mashes containing about 22 percent of protein.
Table 2.—Average weights of Bronze turkey poults from hatching time to market age
| Age | Average live weight | |
| Males | Females | |
| Pounds | Pounds | |
| Newly hatched | 0.13 | 0.13 |
| 2 weeks | 0.33 | 0.30 |
| 4 weeks | 0.86 | 0.75 |
| 8 weeks | 3.13 | 2.68 |
| 12 weeks | 6.64 | 5.28 |
| 16 weeks | 10.35 | 7.67 |
| 20 weeks | 14.47 | 9.67 |
| 24 weeks | 18.23 | 11.15 |
| 26 weeks | 20.18 | 12.04 |
| 28 weeks | 21.35 | 12.48 |
FEED CONSUMPTION AND COST OF GROWING
The quantity and cost of feed used in raising a flock of 156 Bronze turkeys in Montana in 1934 are shown in tables [3] and [4]. These poults (70 males and 86 females) had well-balanced dry mashes (containing 22 percent of protein) before them at all times and scratch grain beginning with the second week. The birds were allowed to range on 2-acre nonirrigated lots after they were 8 weeks of age. The costs were based on local feed prices in Miles City, Mont., in 1934. By using the data in tables [2] and [3], the feed consumption and cost for an average turkey can be estimated for any period of growth.
Table 3.—Average feed consumption and cost per pound of gain in 4-week periods for 70 male and 86 female Bronze turkeys in 1934 at Miles City, Mont.
| Age | Feed consumed per pound of gain in live weight | Cost of feed for each pound of gain in live weight | ||
| Mash | Scratch grain | Total | ||
| Pounds | Pounds | Pounds | Cents | |
| 1 to 4 weeks | 2.44 | 0.21 | 2.65 | 5.9 |
| 5 to 8 weeks | 2.41 | 0.16 | 2.57 | 5.7 |
| 9 to 12 weeks | 2.42 | 0.43 | 2.85 | 6.1 |
| 13 to 16 weeks | 3.47 | 0.42 | 3.90 | 8.8 |
| 17 to 20 weeks | 3.05 | 1.52 | 4.57 | 9.8 |
| 21 to 24 weeks | 3.09 | 3.45 | 6.54 | 13.5 |
| 25 to 28 weeks | 2.46 | 5.64 | 8.10 | 16.1 |
Table 4.—Average feed consumption per bird in periods for 70 male and 86 female Bronze turkeys in 1934 at Miles City, Mont.
| Age | Mash | Scratch grain | Total |
| Pounds | Pounds | Pounds | |
| 1 to 4 weeks | 1.39 | 0.12 | 1.51 |
| 5 to 8 weeks | 4.45 | 0.29 | 4.74 |
| 9 to 12 weeks | 6.67 | 1.19 | 7.86 |
| 13 to 16 weeks | 9.96 | 1.21 | 11.17 |
| 17 to 20 weeks | 9.05 | 4.52 | 13.57 |
| 21 to 24 weeks | 7.64 | 8.53 | 16.17 |
| 25 to 28 weeks | 5.19 | 11.89 | 17.08 |