The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1915-02-11
The Town Turkeys

The turkeys at the Glover nome,
which set at defiance about all the
rules laid down by turkey experts,
apparently have some private IN
formation from the weather bu-
reau, for two of the hens have set
tied down to Matching bee with
seventeen eggs apiece to cover,
These turkeys or their grand
mothers and mothers have been
living at the Glovers for five years
and this is the earliest date on
which they have started raising
families.
The sight of so many turkeys
existing successfully under surh
conditions and within the city al
ways starts arguments. A large
range is always stipulated by all
turkey experts as absolutely ne
cessary to raise a healthy flock
Moreover protection for the little
birds from dampness is another
necessity. Both of these things
are shown to be among the non
essentials so far as the Glover
flock is concerned.
Mrs. Glover started with a PAIR
of birds, Mommoth Bronze stock
five years ago. There is some
thing over two acres of land a.
Ibout the house over which the tur-
keys roam. When the big birds
are well fed at home they show
little disposition to wander far
If they do not happen to get the
needed quantity of ratlons at
home they will start foraging on
their own hook.
After the mammoth Bronze pair
Mrs. Glover tried Bourbon Reds
and for several years has found
the present variety best under the
conditions here.
The birds roost in the trees at
night and none have been dis
turbed by any animals and none
lost because of sickness contract
ed in that way.
No eggs have been sold for table
purposes or cooking. They all
go for settings, most of them
reaching families on the Keys,
especially Spaniards living down
the coast.
Last year was the poorest sea-
son with them. Out of ninety
hatched out only II were raised,
This death rate was due to the
carelessness of a maid who gave
the young ones some soured food
which started disease among them,
Contrary to the usual insistence
that the little turkeys are too deli
cate to endure dampness, Mrs.
Glover has never housed one of
the little things and has never
lost one because of any lack of
protection from the wet.
Very soon three more young
hens will join the two now on the
nests and when the five mothers
are followed around the grove by
their little brOodS the Glover
place is busy.
Wheat forms the chief article
of diet as corn is considered too
heating in this section.
Whether everyone would have a
like success with turkeys is a
question, and with wheat at its
:. present price it is doubtful wheth.
err % cents per pound would re.
suit in much profit. That was
the lowest figure for which they
: were offered locally last holiday
season. The early growth il
made at less expense than the fat
tening process. In restaurant
sections and among big hotels
broiled turkey poult is one of thu
great delicacies reserved for fint
eating While these always com
manded high price per pound they
are raised at less cost per pounC
and some private trade of thi'
sort may be possible soon in South
Florida. Turkey is heavier eat
ing than chicken or fowl anC
might well be used oftener on tn,
home tables of those who are abb,
to raise much of the feed for them
The Glover turkeys are certain
ly a demonstration of what can b,
done with them under restricted
conditions.