Hutchinson gazette., 1899-10-05

Turkey Talk.
From Farmers Review; .- What
profit IL there in turkeys? Is the thing
that farm wives want to know, as we'll
as the different methods OF rearing and
fattening them We held ours until
time for the Xmas trade which with
us closes near the 18th OF December.
We only received ~ cents per pound
last year, and considering their age,
they weighed we'll, II one doesn't
count their time and bother, all the
flock brings Is profit except tho cost
of the corn for fattening for IL the
turks are allowed their liberty they
will pick up most of their living, ox-
cept that One needs to begin fatten-
ing at least four weeks before market
Ing, and SIX Is better. Unless your
turks are early 1t Is better to not try
to fit them for the Thanksgiving mar
ket, keep them for the holiday trade,
or even later, One Missouri grower
cuts the wing and tall feathers Of her
poults off about half when they are
small. Not for the reason given by
some Lcghorn breeders that their
growth weakcns the young but be-
cause they drag tho poult down by
being so heavy, and also get wet ana
dragglcd, Why should clipping the
feathers help The cause as far as weak
enlng the poults are concerned, for tho
feathers have to grow again just the
same. 1t Is very necessary to keep
the poults strong and growing, then
they will manage to stand the growth
of feathers Let me urge again tho
necessity Of cleanliness and entire
freedom from lice in connection with
the turks and another thing as i'm
portant Is giving the breeders free
range; this will cause the eggs to
hatch strong, vigorous poults that can
stand n few hard knocks.
We don't advise using grease In any
shape or form or quantity on or about
poults, use fresh insect powder Of any
we'll known brand, fresh tobacco dust,
or cedar tea, Pixies lice killer and
Lees lice killer are also strongly rec
ommended, Keep the young dry and
warm for at least two weeks. Avoid
overlooking, unclean water and sur
roundlngs and soured food for they
will surely cause sickness II not speedy
fatalities. Don't overcrowd; to our
cost VIC learned II was not safe to give
one chicken hen more than fifteen and
they must be Of one age, else the older
will trample the younger to death,
then, too young turks require brood
ing the most OF the time and II the
hen has some that are old enough to
run about the pen she will not hover
as much as she should, they will like
ly get chilled, and II they do trouble
Is sure to follow. We used the same
style coops that we use for the other
poultry. A V style with Slated coop
in front, but we had them one-fourth
larger. Try to set the turk eggs under
a gentle hen, and one that is a persist
ent brooder and not in e hurry to wean
her young. They want mothering a
long time, II not too large and heavy
Cochins or BrahmUs would be the
thing to hatch and care for young
turks. p. r. hens are o. X, but the
pullets get tired two soon; they don't
like to stay with the young long
enough. Keep the turk eggs in dry
rather cool place. If not dark, exclude
the light by covering with cloths, turn
half over every day, and you may safe.
ly keep them three weeks before set
ting. Break up the hens when they
first want to sit, but let them sit the
next time. II you break thnm the sec
ond time their third litter will be SO