The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-11-06
The Management Of Young Turkeys.

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 avcrag-
ing Is to IA pounds, dressed for the
Eastern markets, which requires the
removal of crop and cntrails, are not
uncommon. On many farms it is a
reliable source of income, yielding from
two hundred to six hundred dollars an
nually. There is a great difference in
the 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
% to IS pounds, and if we had such
bird, should keep him for three or four
years without change If cockerel is
used, he should weigh from 20 to %
pounds at eight months old. If he
reaches thirty pounds, or about that, in
his second autumn, he is 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 a strong, healthy bird. and well bred,
he will leave his mark upon every one
of his offspring, however large the flock.
As single act fertilizes whole clutch
of eggs, one gobbler is sufficient for Is
to 90 hens, and that is as many as is
desirable to keep on any farm, however
large Some of our most successful
breeders keep only 10 or twelve hens
In selecting hens we prefer yearlings to
pullets, and if satisfactory in every re-
spect, should keep them four or five
years. They lay larger eggs and bring
stronger chicks. If pullets are taken,
use nothing under Is pounds at eight
months old, and if Is 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 Us
soon after February 1st as possible in
the Northern States. They will not
begin to lay before the last of March
They should have nests prepared for
them near the house or barn, in an old
barrel or box, that can be closed at
night, SO as to protect the bird while
sitting upon her eggs If the nest is
covered with brush or old boards, so as
to be screened from observation, they
will be much more likely to resort to it.
Thay will require some watching as the
laying season approaches, to prevent
them straying into the woods. 1t is a
matter of great importance that they
should lay near the house, where they
can be protected while sitting. The
eggs should he carried into the house
as fast as laid, be placed in large fiat
dish, and be turned bottom side up
every day. When the brooding season
comes on, place from Is to II eggs
under each hen. Cover the mouth of
the box or barrel every night, and keep
food near the nest, or watch for the
bird every day as she comes off, to see
that she is well fed The eggs, if well
cared for, hatch with more uniformity
than those of any other domestic fowls.
Let her take her own time to leave her
nest with her young ones. When the
mother bird is ready to take the field,
put the young ones in a triangular pen,
made of boards about twelve feet long
and one foot wide, set up edgewise.
This pen will restrain the young ones
for ten days or more, and when they
can fly over the boards it will be safe to
give them more liberty. Feed at first
with hard boiled egg, or with beef chop
ped fine. Also give them coarse ground
Indian meal scalded, and mixed with
milk. This meal and milk, as much as
they will eat clean, is about the best
food they can have for a month or six
weeks. If well fed early every morn
ing, which means as soon as birds come
off their roosts, they will not wander
much in the wet grass. AS the sun
gets up they should be driven afeld, if
they do not 60 of their own accord.
After about six weeks they will get
nearly all their living in the fields and
woods. If fed regularly at night they
will come home early and go to roost.
They should be seen and counted every
night upon the roost. Particular atten-
ton in these small things is generally
the measure of success in turkey rails