Protein is everywhere — but what does it mean for turkey production? In Episode 60 of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta are joined by Tim Moss and Dr. Megan Bible of Hamlet Protein to discuss the important role protein plays in the early development of turkey poults. The conversation dives into why young birds have different nutritional needs, how anti-nutritional factors in soybean meal can affect digestion, and why highly digestible “fast” proteins can be valuable during the brooder phase. The guests also discuss how early nutrition can influence gut health, body weight, feed conversion and flock uniformity. From protein on the grocery store shelf to protein in the turkey barn, this episode highlights an important takeaway: it's not just about how much protein a turkey gets - it's about providing the right protein at the right time to give the bird a strong start.
In this episode of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta take a closer look at one word that seems to be everywhere right now: protein. From protein-packed snacks at the grocery store to the role protein plays in turkey production, the conversation explores why protein quality, digestibility and timing are especially important for young poults.
Joining the conversation are Tim Moss and Dr. Megan Bible of Hamlet Protein, who explain how young poults process protein and why raw soybean meal can be difficult for young animals to digest. They discuss anti-nutritional factors, including trypsin inhibitors, oligosaccharides and beta-conglycinin, and how these factors can affect nutrient utilization, gut health and litter conditions.
The episode also explores the difference between fast and slow proteins, why young poults benefit from highly digestible protein early in life, and how nutrition during the brooder phase can influence growth, feed conversion, gut health and flock uniformity. Tim and Dr. Bible also discuss how the product is incorporated into feed and the potential return on investment for producers.