The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-23
RAISING TURKEYS.

There are lew farm pursu1tB InRt pay
better than raising turkeys, il 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 feathered,
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 the
hen turkeys in an inclosure, with
fence that young ones will be unable
to fiy over. If the baby turks are
hatched in such q place, it is very
much better, for the mother becomes
accustomed to it, and does not fret at
the captivity. e..
A building eight or ten feet square,
with an outside yard inclosed with net
ting and covered by O few greenhouse
ssshes, makes an ideal place for young
turkeys. There should be perches
where the old ones con jump to get
over the fence, thus giving them the
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 thirty-six hours,
then put them in we'll protected coop
with tight floor, and arrange the IN.
closure 80 that no rain or dew can ges
to the young birds.
It is an excellent idea to feed poultry
of all sorts in place as far removed
from their sleeping apartment as posi-
BILE. Some people make little runs
through which the fowls must pass to
a box where food is always prepared.
Tie noise of opening the box will at
tract them. They eat what they like,
then 80 away, and the floor OF the
building is not soiled by scattering
food and water. They will 60 to the
source of supply whenever thoy need
it, and will be in much better health
if this course is pursued.
Some successful poultry raisers feed
bread and milk, busted with black
pepper, for the first few days. Fresh
water is indispensable, and milk Is an
excellent thing for young turkeys pro-
yided it is never allowed to become
sour. Sour food of any kind will kill
Young turkeys. They eat but little
at time, and must be fed frequently.
Their diet should be much restricted
until they are from four to six weeks
old, then they may be given chopped
vegetables of various sorts, including
onions, which are excellent for them.
The scraps from the table are of great
advantage. When they have become
feathered they may have whole corn
at night. Before this they should eat
wheat, cracked corn and little oats,
buckwheat and any other grains that
are kept about the place.
Some poultry raisers give condition
powders in bran mash. It is said to
be good for them, but it must be al!
eaten up or removed as soon as they
leave it. If it becomes stale there Is
great risk in giving it.
After the critical period of youth Il
passed turkeys grow rapidly and, un.
der favorable conditions, are one OF
the most profitable of farm crops
New York Ledger.