The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-04-22

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF AgricultureJ
Turkeys, where there Is plenty OF
range, are n profitable side line upon
the general farm, for the cost of rails
ing them Is small and the profits large.
The number raised In the United
States II gradually decreasing. how
ever. This Is due TO number of
causes, n serious one being the high
mortality among the young poults.
Careful management will greatly re-
duce this loss. according to the United
States department of agriculture poul-
try specialists.
First Week Dangerous.
The average number of poults
raised under ordinary conditions is
about 80 per cent OF those hatched
out, or about Z poults for every turkey
hen. BY far the greater part of the
loss occurs when the poults are under
n week old. Seldom are any lost aft
er they are n month old unless there
IL an outbreak OF disease. The high
mortality among young poults is main
ly caused by exposure TO dampness
and cold. improper feeding. close con
finement. lice. predatory animals. or
inherent weakness. The iast-named
cause Is the result Of carelessness
in selection OF parent stock.
As soon as the hatch is completed
and the poults begin to run around
outside the nest the hen and brood
are ready 10 be removed to the coop
provided for them. The COOP should
be built 10 keep out rain; II should
be well ventilated. capable OF easy
movement. and be sufficiently roomy
for turkey hen to stand erect and
walk about. There should be sep
arate coop for each hen and brood,
and the coops should be scattered
about the farm in such places MS are
easily drained and where natural feed.
such as tender green vegetation
tgrass, clover. alfalfa. and other green
feed), and insects. particularly grass
hoppers, can he found. BY moving the
coop every day the ground will be
kept clean and opportunity will be
given the mother hen and pouts to
pick up fresh, green feed inside the
coop.
Plenty of exercise Is essential II the
poul;s are to thrive. At all times.
when rain or dampness does not pre-
vent the poults should be allowed 10
run In and out of the coop at will.
Too much stress cannot be given to
the necessity of exercise, and the only
way 20 provide for this Is to allow che
poults at every possible opportunity
10 range for feed outside the coop.
During long-continued rainy season
II D. better TO allow them to run out
OF the coop whenever Il Is not actu-
ally raining, even though the grass Is
somewhat damp. by cOnhning the
mother hen to the coop She will always
be ready TO cover the poults when
ever they run To her, which they will
do II they become chilled The great
est care should be taken 10 keep the
interior of the coop dry, and for this
reason II Is advisable To choose a
sandy slope where the water runs on
quickly and where there is also pro
lection from heavy rains.
Feeding the Pouits
Improper feeding, combined with
close confinement, has been the cause
of many failures In turkey raising. II
the range is plentifully supplied with
green feed. grasshoppers, and other
insects, and II the weather is favor
able. then the best plan is to allow the
pOults to feed themselves.
When, on account Of rainy weather
or unfnvorable range conditions, II is
advisable to raise the poults by the
coop method, more care must be given
TO their feeding. For the first two
days after Matching, poults require no
feed, the yolk of the egg which they
absorb before breaking out of the
shell being sufficient 10 maintain them
for that length OF time. Access to
coarse sand ana green feed TO pick
at Is all that is needed until the third
day.
Beginning with the third day, the
poults should be fed according To the
quantity of natural feed they are able
To pick up outside the coop. When nat
ural feed is scarce. or when the poults
have to he kept from ranging outside,
they should be fed lightly about five
times a day. II allowed to run outside
the coop there they can find insects,
leeds AMI green feed, they need not