The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-04-18
SOMETHING ABOUT TURKEYS.

SOMETHING ABOUT TURKEYS.
At this season, and especially when
there are q few warm days with a gen
iAl sun, turkeys are restless, noisy, and
wandering from place to place, mani
testing strong disposition 70 use the
wing and break through enclosures.
Turkeys are impatient of T, straint and
love freedom. The turkey carries q
good deal o, wild blood in her veins
that has never been tanned, neither can
it be bred out. This uneasy state will
continue to a greater or less degree
until the hens have fairly settled down
to LAYING, when they will become the
quietest of all domestic fowls. They
are mischievOus birds about the gard
en- AMI flower beds, and their mischief
is conducted in so sly manner that
they often go unsupported. The male
seldom commits depreda:ions in the
spring. His principal business is to
spread his gay banne; on the sunny
lawn, and strut in his gorgeous full
dress, subject to all the whims and ca
prices Of the females, % follow wher-
ever they lead There are some yari-
eties that manifested less ofthIs roam
ing disposition, and a. more quiet and
domestic in their habits. One of these
is the Narragansett They are ta'Le
compared to the majestic Bronze, that
no dam per can check, or no enclosure
or confinement can tame.
Apart from this Uildnes5, there is
no doubt but the turkey is the most
profitable bird the farmer can raise il
only the thing can be done. TO do
this successfully requires a knowledge
Of their habits and disposition, and TO
become thoroughly acquainted with
these, the attendant needs to be con-
slant, strict and studiOus until the
hocks are thoroughly trained, and of
an age to be trusted with their natural
freedom. Not that they should be
constrained, for this will not answer
but their movements should have
careful eve over them, and their course
watched, that when necessary, the
broOds may be readily found. Turk
eys that are trained are generally very
regular in their habits, and can be
depended on. Counting the expendi
ture Of feed, the turkey is the easiest
and cheapest raised of any Of our do
mestic fowls, not excepting the goose,
which lives on next to nothing.
When we come 10 reckon the extra
care and trouble that begins with the
first advent Of the broOds until the
birds are brought to the block, the
profits depreciate in value. Frequent
ly turkeys are Matched and reared by
the common hen, and they are more
quiet and home like in their habits,
but are never SO large or valuable as
the birds that hunt their living and
gather the sweet succulent grasses and
insects that dwell in the mellow lands.
This staying at home gives them a
stunt from which they seldom recover.
Daily exercise strengthens and spreads
the limbs, and gives a broader ex-
panse Of body, which i5 not gained by
mere food alone.
For all their rowing prOpeIsities,
the turkey is a bird that seeks consid-
cradle ease and rest. Their first
move is to get out of sight and hear
ing of home then at midday, or IA
ther as soon as the sun comes out hot
and scOrching on a summer day, they
draw up under the deep shade, and
rest until toward nightfall, while the
home broods with the domestic hen
have been on the move from the first
rise of day, and continue ever on the
alert until sunset Turkeys require
warm, dry weather Broods to be
wholly successful should never be out
OF the shell before the Ist of June,
when they will be ready to rleet the
great harvest ofiusccts that are ahoat
at this season 1t will not answer to
put q boy a. the business of attending
the 1Ocks. unless he be aa apS one and
hls a foudness for the occupation, or
q strong interest therein. As gene
raj thing people raise turkeys at q
lose, simply because they are determi-
ned to raise them in their own way
Their wills are the strongest. and the
birds suffer in the flesh, while the own
ers depreciate in pocket. The turkey 5
way is the best only we must teach,
govern and control the natural habit
in a quiet manner and still not cross
the desires Of the mother to so great
an extent as to cause a restraint which
she will not endure. b. IN Country
Gentleman