The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-03-01
TURKEYS ARE
BEST HOPPER
KILLER IN Nd
Average Turkey Eats Four to
Six Bushels of GrasshOp-
pers in a Year
FARMERS INTERVIEWED
Many Find Considerable Pro-
fit in the Raising of
Turkeys in State
FARMERS INTERVIEWED

Editors Note--This is the sec
ond of a series of three articles
on turkey raising in North Da-
kota.
PART III
Grasshoppers with nerve enough to
invade NorthcDak ota farms are meet
ing a formidable adversary In Mr..
Turkey and all his family. Farmers
don't like hoppers but turkeys do.
The average North Oak ota turkey
ate between and 6 bushels of
grasshoppers last year, according to
an estimate by the state college Of
agriculture, given to the Northern
Pacific Railway.
We are fattening our turkeys on
grasshoppers, smiled one farmer,
and we are getting the best prices
on the birds. At the same time we
are safeguarding future crops from
the dcpredations Of the insects.
Some farmers declare that even if
turkeys could not be produced prof
itably for market, they would be
worth while raising as a protection
against the grasshoppers. Since they
are both profitable on the market
and insurance against the insects,
the argument for raising them is dou
bly, strong.
Another point North Dakota farm
ers emphasize in favor of the tur
key is that it helps to eliminate farm
waste and puts in available market
able form, much of the seeds, grains
etc. which othe rwise would be wasted
in the fields. No do this, the tur-
key flock does not browse in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the farmyard as
chickens do but scOurs the fields far
and wide. Unlimited range for tur-
keys is available in most localities
Of the state.
Many farmers interviewed by the
Northern. Pacific told clear stories Of
how they made use Of the advantages
for turkey raising which, they discov
cred, yielded them handsome profits,
with high percentages of return on
original investment.
In Some Years Turkeys Beat Wheat
MY neghbors said my turkey
flock in 1922 was better than whole
section of wheat, said Victor Hartl
of New Rockford, n. ID.
Il haven't sold all of my 1923 flock
yet, SO | cannot give any figures for
last year. But in 1922 | old 125 good
breeders and the culls were sold
commercially for as cents pound.
My gross return from the flock was
$4,000. After paying all expenses
and buying some new stock of high
quality had $4,000 clear.
Turkey raising beats grain farm
ing a mile. When | quit grain farm
ing in 1919 | had nothing but debts.
IN 1923 raised between 100 and
1875 turkeys. This year l am aiming
at 400 which | will raise from AZ
hens and four toms. | always plan
to have my birds average 10 pounds
dressed weight, about the time the
Thanksgiving market "opens, but l do
not always sell at that time
A New Use For Tents
Three pyramid army tents have
been brought into novel use by Mr..
Hartl to provide shelter for his tur-
key flock. The tents are cheaper
than wooden structures, are movable
and consequently more sanitary and
do not require space about the farm
when not in use.
Mr.. Hartl depends entirely upon
turkey mothers for his flock and
usually gives the young flock it's
freedom unless during unfavorable
weather. Raw potatoes and akalfa,
varied by the different grains, is his
ration for turkeys. This is fed only
when needed and when the birds cam
not secure sufficient feed by rang>
ing.
He does not make any special eff
fort to feed the newly Matched tur-
keys unless damp weather makes it
necessary to keep them under cover.
If the weather is good, the chicks
must roam with their mothers and
eat Natures, food The breeding
stock is fed oats and vegetables with
sprinkling Of corn in very cold
weather but it is never permitted to
get fat, and this insures stronger
chicks.
From March Is to May 10, Mr..
Hartl's turkeys are kept in two pens,
each having an area of about six
acres These pens are fenced with
26 inch woven wire The turkeys do
not make any strenuous attempt to
escape because they have ample
space, but to prevent them from fly |
ing out, one wing is clipped. The
turkeys nest in these mems. and closer !
attention can be given to them than |
if they were permitted to range
promiscuously and nest where they |
liked.
The tent shelters are provided as
a safeguard against adverse weather. !
They are set up in locations frequent
ed by the turkeys, and, for the. first |
time or two, the broods are induced |
to enter by the planning of food in
side. Each tent is 20 by 20 feet and
provides ample space for large num-
Der. During the hot weather water is
always kept in the tents and if feed
is scarce, a supply Of grain is placed
in each. The tents are frequently
moved to, clean ground. Mr.. Hartl
finds that the birds soon make the
tents their home and use them at
night and during storms and this
has reduced his losses of chicks and
'poults,
Not All Easy Work
Il would not give anybody the i'm
preston that turkey raising is easy
and brings easy profits said Mr.
Hartl. 1t has its ups and downs
and thesrainy days come, which may
spell disaster if one is not prepared.
For the benefit Of anyone who
may contemplate going into rearing /
turkeys I want to point out two
rlistakeS made. ! overfed my young,
4 believe there is more
4 q = Se,ar in nverfoedin1 the Young 4