The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-05-22
TURKEY GROWING
IS PROFITABLE

able time and care to the growing of
hens, who are conspicuously success
full in that branch of poultry, never
think of venturing upon turkey rails
ing, although it is a fact, that there is
an opportunity for making considera-
BILE money in these homely birds.
Perhaps it may be that this is due to
the fact that not as much is written
and said about the turkey, as there is
about almost any other kind of poul-
try. AS the time approaches for be-
ginning with turkeys, it will perhaps
be helpful to many who have been
thinking about investing in this line
poultry growing to consider the fol-
lowing:
Experience teaches me-" says a
writer in The Farm Star, chat it is
better to set turkey eggs under the
chicken hen than under the turkey
hen" And better results may be OBJ
tanned from the incubator, this CORES
pondent thinks, than from either the
hen or the turkey. AS to the time
for setting the hen, our authority con-
tinues:
"Do not set the eggs too early in the
spring. The little poult cannot stand
much cold weather, and it is better to
postpone the incubation SO the birds
will not hatch till the middle of the
latter part of May. Then, too, about
that time of year the crop of insects
begins to multiply. This is an impor-
tant thing in the production of tur-
keys, since the greater part of the
birds ration is made up of insects"
1t is essential, we read further, to
keep the mother hen free from vermin,
by the use of common insect powder,
which may be busted on the wings and
fluffy feathers. After six weeks the
young poults may be permitted to
roam where they will. A lady, writ
ing for the Western Poultry Journal,
adds some valuable suggestions, as
follows:
"As the time approaches for the lit
tie ones to make their appearance an
open coop should be made of Stats or
laths, covered over with oil cloth or
tarred paper to prevent rain or hot
sun. This coop should be large
enough for the hen to move around in
and should be placed in as dry loca-
ton as possible away from the other
fowls"
This writer cautions against feeding
too much concentrated food, (Which
causes indigestion and liver trouble"
Overlooking, in the opinion of this
lady, causes more fatality than any
other one thing unless it may be YER
min. After the poults are Matched,
the writer continues:
Remove all shells and unless the
nest seems crowded and are liable to
become smothered or crushed, leave
them in the nest until dry and quite
strong. AS turkey eggs are nearly al
ways fertile, it quite often happens
that every egg in the nest matches. In
this case some of the first should be
removed and kept in a basket lined
with warm flannel and placed near the
stove to prevent chilling until all are
strong"
Nothing should be fed the poults UNI
til they are thirty-six hours old.
"Their first few feeds consist of
stale bread crumbs, soaked in sweet
milk squeezed very dry. They are fed
several times day just tiny little
bit at time. After they are few
days old cracked wheat, or steel cut
oats make an excellent food. Care
should be taken not to give them food
in a wet or sloppy form, as it causes
bowel trouble from which they seldom
recover. If there is no tender grass
or clover in their yard, chopped dande-
lion or onion tops make a fine relish,
If the weather is cold little black
pepper in their food helps to warm
them up and prevents chilling. SAM
tary conditions must be carefully
looked after, coops must be moved ev-
cry few days to clean,. fresh quarters,
and drinking fountains kept clean and
sweet. Coarse sand should always be
at their disposal. Dust each little
poult once week with some good in
sect powder to prevent lice"
Another lady tells The Dakota
Farmer that she has always raised
poults with the turkey hen, never Civ.
ing moro than fifteen to each hen;
"When first taken from the nest
place the turkey hens in roomy coops
to which small yards are attached to
keep the poults from running away
only using these yards or pens few
days until the little ones learn to re-
turn to the coops, as they do not dc
A..