The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-04-13


ity weigh thirty-fve pounds and upward
Other things being equal, the larger and
stronger the stock, the more and better birds
the breeder may expect TO raise. The hens
of u year old will lay earlier, but they will
not produce so strong chicks.
Nests. Though the hens are prone 10
stray OFF and steal their nests in woods and
retired places, they may be induced to lay in
more convenient spots, by preparing nests for
them. Some build these OF small stones near
the fence by the road side, covering the top
with short boards. TO shed the rain, and
throwing over them handful OF brush, 10
screen the hen from observation. The more
rude and inartifcial thenest, tho better. An
old -four barrel answers very good purpose,
leaving out one head. The barrels should
be put in some quiet place, not too near each
other, where the mothers will not bedisturb-
ed. The nests may be made of old hay or
straw, with lining of forest leaves. a few
tobacco stalks, or refuse tobacco OF any kind,
will guard the nests against lice. To en-
ticc the hens into the nests, put in hens eggs
or artificial eggs made for the purpose. AS
they begin to lay before the hard trosts arc
over, the eggs should be carefully carried in
the house, and be kept in cool. dry place.
until they are ready to set. Eighteen to
twenty eggs make nest full for setting
To guard the mother against skunks, minks,
and other night walkers, put over the mouth
of the barrel u lattice work OF laths, rcmov-
ing it every morning.
Feeding. This is q matter oil great I'M
portance. The first day after Matching moth
ing is needed, and the lattice cover may be
kept over the barrel, to keep the mother ut
home. The second day the young birds may
be put into pen, made of four boards,
about eighteen inches wide and fourteen feet
in length, leaving the mother free. This
board pen will confnc the young ones, until
they are able to jump over it, when it will
be safe to give them more room. The pen
should be moved every fourth day, 10 give
the young chance ut fresh grass. For the
first week boiled eggs, chopped up fine, and
angle worms broken up small are the best
food After this, curds may be given, and
very coarse corn meal. 1t should be ground
for the purpose, more coarse even than hon.
inv. This NAV be scalded and mixed with
sour milk, and little sand or gravel thrown
in to prevent it from baking the crop
Many young turkeys are killed by too ex-
elusive diet of Indian meal AS tho young
ones grow, they may be fed with buckwheat
and other grains.
After they begin to range, care must be
taken to house them in cold, stormy wealth
er. Confne them in the barn cellar, or up.
on the barn floor, where they will have plen-
ly of room. II any OF them get chilled, and
droop, they should be put in basket with
wool or cotton, and set near tho kitchen fire,
where they may feel the warmth.
AS they grow and begin to shift for them
selves, roosts should be provided for them in
some place safe from the attacks of vermin.
\ common roOst is scaflold. made by put
ting poles upon crotchcd sticks, ten or fifteen
feet high The poles should be three or four
inches in diameter, that they may be easily
gr,sped with the claws. They should be
brought up regularly every night to the
roosting place, and fed there. The young
ones should have u rough pole, extending
from the ground or fence to the top of the
roost, on which they can walk up, until they
are strong enough to ny. After u few days
ofschooling, they win come home regularly,
and 90 10 their places withoutany oversight.
After month or two, they will forage for
themselves mainly living ON grasshoppers,
and such insects rs they pick up in the fields
and woods. The night feeding, however,
should be continued, to induce regular
habit.
Second broods are sometimes raised, but
where the first has been successful, the prac-
tice is not advisable. Any surplus eggs of
the first laying may be set under hens.