Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-01-24

Turkeys Are Particular
About Winter Quarters

turkey raising Is dlStInct ana sep
arate business from that of raising
chickens; the nature Of the turkey is
so different from that of the chicken
that it requires different management
many of its wild haunts. Then, OF
late years, serious diseases have played
sad havoc with the business in many
parts of the country. Blackhead, par
ticularly. has carried off many thou
sands, compelling some of the largest
growers to quit the business. The
farmer who has never had turkeys or
his farm is not likely to suffer, provid.
ed he starts with perfectly healthy
stock.
When diseases can be avoided, the
cost Of raising turkey is less than
that Of raising a chicken, while the
former weighs more and sells for more
per pound The fact that turkeys will
from the time they are eight weeks old
until winter sets in, obtain the greater
part of their living from the bugs,
grasshoppers, waste grain and weed
seeds picked up in their wanderings
over the farm, insures their mainte-
nance throughout the summer at low
cost to the grower.
Breeding stock should always be Sc
lected from the flock in the fall, before
any have been marketed, at which
time the choicest specimens can be
picked cut. If this has not been done
there should be no further delays.
Those selected probably would bring
q little more money than some OF
those marketed, but they are also
worth more as breeders than the poor
ones. Strong, active, healthy birds
those that have never been afflicted
with serious disease-are wanted If
the future turkey crops are to prove
profitable The old turkey raiser
should separate his breeders from
those that are to be marketed before
fattening commences, as breeding
stock is easily injured by becoming
overfat.
Up to their fifth year turkeys are
profitable as breeders, though it is a
good plan to change gobblers every
year, especially If some of the young
females are retained for breeding.
Hens are not fully matured until two
years old and they are at their best
during the next two or three years.
During the mating season the proper
proportion in which to divide the sexes
Is from six to ten hens with one COB
bier.
The breeding stock should receive
good care during the winter months.
without proper care and attention, as
well as suitable quarters, turkeys will
not go through winter in good health,
and, consequently, will not be in such
good condition for the breeding season,
and that means poor success with the
young. Young turkeys bred from
healthy stock are hard enough to raise,
without the extra handicap of I'M.
healthy parentage.
Turkeys do not thrive in damp, stuff
fy quarters in winter. A well-lighted
open shed or loft, fitted up so as to
prevent direct draughts but having
good ventilation at all times, makes a
good place. Turkeys can stand good
deal of cold, but they cannot stand
close, foul-smelling quarters. Fix up
some broad perches a couple of feet
from the floor; provide troughs for
grit and water and, in real cold wealth
er, put some straw or other litter on
the floor Feed corn and other grains
regularly and, during severe weather,
give an occasional warm mash