The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-05-04
Anrifhltnral department.
CONDUCTED BY ALBERT CHAPMAN.
Turkeys.

The business of raising turkeys is
carried on in some of the towns in the
northern part of this state TO a very
large extent. Stopping in Barre few
days in the fall of IA. we were astonish-
ed at seeing the immense fiocks of tur-
keys in different parts of the town, and
we suggested that an appropriate name
for Barre would be "Turkeytown."
The Barre farmers are very intelligent
men and 1t is quite possible that the
farmers in this region might enlarge
their focks to good advantage. We
commend the following to any who
may think of enlarging this branch of
their business. 1t is from the Agricul-
turist:
THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG TuR-
KEYS.
The turkey crop Is growing in i'm
portance every year, especially in the
older States, and without doubt increas-
ing in size and profit. Flocks averag-
ing thirteen to fourteen pounds, dressed
for the eastern markets, which require
the removal of crop and entrails, are
not uncommon. On many farms it is
a reliable source of income, yielding
from two hundred to six hundred dol
lars annually. There is a great differ
ence In tile success of farmers, owing to
the difference in the skill in managing
the young birds. The first step in
raising turkeys is to have them well
born. And to this end the stock should
be carefully selected, whether it is
young or old. We prefer an adult cock,
from twenty-three to twenty-five
pounds, and If we had such a bird,
should keep him for three or four years
without change. If a cockerel is used
he should weigh from twenty-five t.
twenty-eight pounds at eight months
old. If he reaches thirty pounds, or
about that, in his second autumn, he IL
good bird to breed from for the next
four or five years. The male bird, OF
whatever variety, should be as perfect
as possible In plumage, in shape, and
in weight. If strong, healthy bird
and we'll bred he will leave his mark
upon every one of his offspring, how
ever large the flock. A single act fer
LIKING whole clutch of eggs, one
obbler is sufficient for fifteen or
twenty hens, and that is as many as is
desirable to keep on a farm, however
large. Some of our most successful
breeders keep only ten or twelve hens.
In selecting hens we prefer yearlngs
to pullets, and if satisfactory in every
respect, should keep them four or five
years. They lay larger eggs and bring
stronger chicks. If pullets are taken,
use nothing under thirteen pounds al
eight months old, and if fifteen pound
birds can be had by paying double
prices for them, secure them by all
means The larger the adult hens the
better. The hens should be put with
the gobbler as soon after February as
possible in the northern states. They
will not begin to lay before the last o.
March. They should have nests pre-
pared for them near the house or barn
in an old barrel or box, and then be-
closed ut night, so as to protect the
bird while sitting upon her eggs. I
the nest is covered with brush or ole
boards, so as to be screened from
observation, they will be much more
likely to resort to it. They will require
some watching as the laying season
approaches, to prevent them strayine
into the woods. 1t is matter of grea
Importance that they should lay neal
the house. where they can be protected
while sitting. The eggs should be carried
into the house as fast as laid, he PLACED
in a large fiat dish, and be turned
bottom-side up every day. When tn,
brooding season comes on, place from
fifteen to eighteen eggs under each hen
Cover the mouth Of the box or barre
every night, and keep food near thu
nest, or watch for the bird every day a.
she comes of, to see that she is wei
fed. The eggs, if well cared for, hatcl
with more uniformity than those o
any other domestic fowl. Let her tax,
her own time to leave her nest will
her young ones. When the mothe
bird Is ready to take the field, put tn,
young ones in triangular pen, mad,
of boards about twelve feet long anC
one foot wide, set up edgewise. Thi,
pen will restrain the young ones for fer
days or more, and when they can fly
over the boards, it will be safe to Civ,
them more liberty. Feed at first will
hard boiled eggs, or with beef chopped
fine. Also give them coarse grount
Indian meal scalded, and mixed will
milk. This meal and milk, as muci
as they will eat clean, is about the bes
food they can have for month or 81,
weeks. If fed early every morning
which means as soon as birds come of
from their roosts, they will not wande
much in the wet grass. AS the sun get
up they should be driven afield, if the,
do not 20 of their own accord. Ate
about six weeks they will get nearly al
their living In the fields and woods. !
fed regularly at night they will com,
home early and go to roost The,
should be seen and counted every nigh
upon the roost. Particular attention il
these small things is generally tn,
measure of success in turkey-raising.