The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-11-10
RAISING TURKEYS.

There are few farm pursuits that pay
better than raising turkeys, if one can
succeed in it; but there are very few
people who seem to have the faculty
of getting these delicate and capri
cious creatures through their first few
weeks. Once they are fully feGthered,
they are not at all hard to manage,
provided one can bring them home at
night.
One might be led to wonder how
wild turkeys ever grow up, when it is
declared again and again that young
turkeys must never go out in the morn
ing, while the dew is on the grass, and
must always know enough to go in
when it rains.
Many people hatch turkey eggs nm
der hens, others use incubators; but
incubator turkeys have not thus far
been such profound success as to lead
the whole world to turn in and try to
hatch turkeys eggs in this way.
One OF the best plans is to keep tho
hen turkeys in an inclosure, with
fence that young ones will be unable
to fly over. If the baby turks are
Matched in such a place, it is very
much better, for the mother becomes
accustomed to it, and does not fret of
the captivity.
"A building eight or ten feet square,
with an outside yard inclosed with net
ting and covered by few greenhouse
feshes, makes an ideal place for young
turkeys. There should be perches
where the old ones can lump to Get
over the fence, thus giving them tho
freedom which they require for their
health.
Great care must be taken of turkeys
eggs, as they chill very easily. After
the birds are Matched, leave them in
the nest for about thjrty-six hours,
then put them in q well protected coop
with tight floor, and arrange the in.
closure so that no rain or dew can get
to the young birds.
It's m excellent idea to feed poultry
OF all sorts in n place as far removed
from their sleeping apartment rs posi-
bic. Some people make little runs
through which the fowls must pass to
box where food is always prepared.
Tie noise of opening the box will at-
tract them. They eat what they like,
then 20 away, and the floor of the
building Is not soiled by scattering
food and water. They will 90 TO the
source Of supply whenever they need
IT, and will be ~ much better health
II this course is pursued.
Some auccesslul poultry rnisCrs feed
bread AMI milk, busted with black
pepper, for the first few days. Fresh
water is Indispensable, and milk is nm
excellent thing for young turkeys pro-
vidcd ~ IS never allowed 10 become
sour. Sour food Of my kind will kill
young turkeys. They eat but little
MT q time, and must be fed frequently.
Their diet should be much restricted
until they nre from four to six weeks
old, then they may DO given chopped
vegetables OF various sorts, including
onions, which are excellent for Thorn.
The scraps from the table arc of great
advantage. When they have become
ionthoreI they may havo whole corn
at night Before this they should cut
wheat, cracked corn and n little oats.
buck"heat and my other grains that
arc kept about the place.
Some poultry raiscrs give condition
powder ia bran mash 10 is said 10
be good for them, but it must be all
eaten NIP or removed MS soon as they
lroyc IT. Tit becomes stale there is
great risk IN uvn3it.
After the critical period Of youth is
passed turkeys grow rapidly and, un.
| der favorable conditions, are one of
the most profitable of farm crops. -
Now York Ledger.