Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-09-11
RAISING TURKEYS.
A Few Points That Must BE Under.
stood to Insure Success.


stood to Insure Success.
Young turkeys are very tender and
need to be carefully and intelligently
treated or the mortality among them
will be great. While turkey hen will
sometimes secrete her nest and bring
Dff a fine flock of little ones, the chances
are that If left to herself and permitted
to roam the fields unfettered she will
soon have but small number. Espe-
cially is this true of the first hatching.
Later in the season, when the weather
is warmer, the result will sometimes
prove satisfactory, but as a rule it is
best to contine the poults for week or
so at least.
To do this make tight pen of boards
a foot high in dry location where
there is sand or dirt for them to pick
at. The old turkey need not be confined
for she will not leave her young. In
one corner of the Enclosure make some
provision for shelter where the mother
may retire with her brood. The poults
are the silliest creatures imaginable.
Ivy VIII oCSh Oul Liz tlAlSSL IkCNtNS
and escape. wandering away farther
and farther from the nest until chilled
and exhausted.
The most common cause of failure
in growing turkeys lies in not properly
feeding during the first week. The
very best food for the little things is
sour milk cheese. Scald and drain
the thick milk as for cottage cheese.
This, fed quite dry. agrees with the
young turkeys perfectly. Boiled eggs
are also good. but quite expensive
fed very long, especially when the old
hen persists in gobbling down more
Of the feed than the little ones. A
turkey mother is the only one among
the animal creation which seems to
have no respect for the wants for her
young. She will eat everything within
reach. even driving them away or
selling mouthful and running away
with it to where she can eat it undis-
turbed. Well baked corn bread. crum-
bled and fed dry. is good food for little
turkeys Whatever is given must be
quite dry. Sloppy food almost inyari-
ably causes bowel trouble. Wheat
screenings are excellent. and as soon
as the poults are old enough to eat
this all other food may be discontin-
ued.
When the young poults are week
or two old. it is quite common for
them to begin to droop. The wing
feathers are seen to hang down. the
eyes are closed, and a general dumpish
condition exists. The turkey chirps
mournfully and is evidently sick If
neglected, death is sure to follow. An
examination will reveal the presence
Of lice. Look for these on the head
around the vent and at the root of the
wing quilts. The last named place is
a favorite haunt of the insects. Pure
lard may be applied. but never use
sulphur, kerosene or other powerful
agent Insect powder is safe and sure.
Sprinkle each turkey well with it ev-
cry week or so all summer. To do
this call them up to you with some
food. They will gather around fear
lessly. Then stoop without disturbing
them and sprinkle it thickly over them
as they eat.
Lice, sloppy food and dampness are
the principal causes of death in young
turkeys. Turkey hens are not apt to
be so lousy as common hens. When
Matched by the latter. constant watch
fulness is necessary to keep them free
from insects. especially if allowed to
remain in the henhouse. Be sure the
hen is freed from lice before the eggs
are Matched, and give her good sprin-
king from underneath when taken
from the nest. To do this hold her
head downward and dust the powder
well into the feathers. The large
striped louise will be found on the
heads and necks of young fowls almost
as soon as they are Matched If there
are any upon the hen. For these moth
ing is better than good greasing with
lard. Turkeys are perfectly hardy
after the red appears upon their heads
AS well grown young turkey ought
to bring at least 81 at Thanksgiving
or Christmas. there is good profit in
raising them.-Mrs. e. r. Wood in
American Agriculturist.