Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-02-04
IN writing this communication will be fully
accomplished, 4 foRNER RKiDESr.
Lowell, Jan. Il, 1859.
rpm The cepu,y Gcu,l,man.
Breeding Turkeys


MrssRs. LurnER TucxER & SOS. The Sc
lection OF Turkeys for breeding, with view
Of improving the breed, Is SUBJECT on
which therc has been but little SAID, and
until within few years few persons were
auare that they were susceptible Of that
/ improvement, which tho eiIur,s Of few en-.
terprisins breeders have already shown. II
.. bat few years since farmers in this vi
ciuity have been heard TO boast that their
fuc ilock Of h't turkeys at New Years av.
eragod ten pounds each, dressed weight.
How i. il now? Unless their turkeys, at
tie same age. average at least IL or 10 lbs.
each. We hear no hoas,ings" (By ay-
crage, mean pairs, male and fcmalc.)
The next question il, how has all this
change bccn oIcciei2 would answer. by
simply selecting and breeding from tho lar
gcst and bcsi. instead Of killing these and
rcserying those for brcclers that were small
anl unthriity, or late, and perhaps onft to
slaughter.
The rule that like begcis like, applies TO
the Turkey with the same force it does to
any brcci OF domestic animals. Tho sane
form and color NAV be obtained, by a sclcc-
tom aud continuous crossing Of such a. are
dcslrcd. adhering 70 the same forms and
cniors tor a number Of generations. wheu In
time the breed will become - established
as to be- nearly similar 10 all respects. The
moro compact We can set turkey the
sooner IL will mature. the easier it will fat
ten, and consequently tho more profitable It
be- 90 ,hos, that breed Tor the market. The
ohj'ci then Is - =, those of tho larsc., slc
possible, with short lcs', and broad com.
rac, bodies ~ least this i, tho form
would choose.
As delormcI ones are liable 10 throw out
those similar, examine them and SO they
have no d,ilrmitics, such as crooked breast
loncs. or hunchcd backs. select those OF
ihr hr.c., and coar-e.i bone of ihi, form.
So alsl that they ar, both wide and deep
Ia proportion to their size. Discard all
that have a green unfinished coar,c look. -.
recially Il a female. Tor tho,' of tbi. stamp
are ap, ,o lay .oit.shcllsd eggs. and seldom
make good mothers 10 st, or rear young
ones. S,.cc, tac sirli,,, hai,h.l and fne,t
from your dock each year i,r your own uso
'or brcclins, and continue this for seric.
OF years, md assure any one who adopt,
tsi. mode Of bsrciin;, that they will ero
long inl their account IN u.
The improved domestic Turkey rs we
have them here, are all the different nric-
,ie, of cll,r but white. nave seen fine
one, Of light silver grey Dor, yollow
or bull ale, thoso between bronr, grey
and yellow. or nearly the color & the span
Eied lIambirs fowls, Bat the most con-.
mon collrs are j., black, and dark bronze
grey the plunass ol the males Of tho lat
Ter color. is glossy, much like that Of tho
wild turkey, bat of a darker hue. They
have, or those OF the latter color have. u
slight resemblance 20 the Mid one, in color.
bot none in form, being broader ami more
compact. and shorter IN toe legs, anl Ia.
stead Of beng Wild and 'hy like the wild
ones. they are naturally the mos, gentle Of
the turkey tribe consequently there is no
difficulty le, them lay whore they choose.
In removing them when they wish 70 set, To
any place you may de.ire. They are as
hardy a' any turkeys, and their natural do.
cility makes them much easier 20 mlnas,
when rririnS their young, than any breed
Of turkey. ever slw. T.. ALLS.
Pomfrei, Ci, Dec /, lSjs.