The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-04-04
Turkcy-Eaising.

have Il little paper here on the sub.
.ject Of turkey.raising, about which |
havc had considerable practical expert
cncc. For the last ten years II multi
titudo of farmers east Of the Hudson,
and not II few west, have made more
money from their turkeys than from
any other kind Of stock. Ten well
managed turkey hens will give a larger
net profit than ten cows il, in addition
to good management, the farmer has
good luck. The first six weeks IN
the life Of the young are the most per-
iIons. After that time they are COM
puratiyely safe. Some men out OF a
batch of a hundred never lose one, and
this is the way they manage them.
Let the mother of the newborn brood
choose their own time to leave the
nest. Taking of is always bad policy.
As soon rs the nest is left, make ayard
twelve feet square, by setting boards
cdgewise. Remove the turkey and
her brood into this little pen, wherein
they should be kept for at least six
day. After which they may be let out
in the middle Of thcday, and permitted
the range Of on acre; but they must
always be gathered at least an hour
before shutdown into the pens, to re-
main until the dew is OIL the next morn
ing, and all the day if there is the least
appearance of astorm. The time the
mother leaves the nest, wash thenaked
part of her body thoroughly with to-
bacco juice, to kill the inevitable hcc,
and ut the same time dust thoroughly
the youngwith some Notwithstanding
powder. No one thing kills SO many
young turkeys as these parasites. As
Il preventive, sulphur and snuff
mixed in equal quantities, and busted
after the turkey has been sitting two
weeks, is recommended; but nothing
should prevent the washing Of the
mother or the busting Of the young
the day the mother leaves the nest,
and two days after the young have lett
the smell. Young turkeys require but
little food, but they need to be fed rs
often rs once an hour for the first week.
COarsc-grOumd Indian meal mixed with
sour-miiIi curds, and tine-choppcd
hmd-bol!cd eggs IS the best feed for
the first month. After that the eggs
may be left cut, the meal ground Il lit
tie coarscr, and the Gurds, if you have
them, used in larger measur than
at the first. As soon as they can swal-
ow whole grain give them that, and
then nil trouble III this direction is ut
IN end. Until they arc two months
old they must be driven to some shell
ter every night, and never be allowed
TO remain IN the fields through u long
or heavy rain. Even when o%ne-quarter
grown, they vii! die from exhaustion,
trying to follow the vigorous and un-
reasonable mothers, if wet with but n
heavy dew. Three rules then must be
observed, if those who attempt to raise
turkeys would secure success-First,
DC sure to free both old and young
from lice Immediately upon the old
ones leaving the nest. Second, feed
frequently at the beginning with
strengthening food. Third, never let
the young turkeys get wet, either from
pew or ram, until their feathers afford
their bodies, if not complete, at least
partial protection.
think one reason why breeders
have 50 much trouble is, that they
oycrfeed their fowls. On the Plains
wild turkeys and prairie chickens are
most prolific, and they are nOttrOublcu
with diseases. -E rchunyc.