Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-09-04
[(ULTRY.
TURKEY RAISING ON
DECLINE ON FARMS

prepared by the United StateE Department
of Agrioulture.)
Turkey raising in the United States
has been on the decline during the last
20 years especially as an enterprise
on the general farms of the country.
Formerly large numbers were raised
In New England, bur in recent years
there has been a decided decrease in
this section as well as in other parts
of the country. Several causes have
been assigned by the United States
Department Of Agriculture for the de-
crease In the Numbers now raised.
The rearing of the young stock, In
some respects at least, requires more
detailed attention than is the case
with most other classes Of poultry and
turkeys have given way to these other
classes. The prevalence Of blackhead
has been q dominant factor and re-
sponsible for the encouragement Of
many raisers. The birds range widely
and frequently trespass upon the
property of neighbors, the vexation
tending to discourage turkey raising.
Finally, little attention has been given
the most important problems of the
industry by investigators.
On the other hand, there Is, accord
ing to the United States Department
Of Agriculture, good opportunity for
further development. Turkey raising
is profitable, particularly where con-
ditions are suitable and where proper
methods Of management are followed.
The department has issued a new
bulletin on turkey raising, Farmers
Bulletin 1409, which discusses the I'm
portant points of the business and Of
fers suggestions for making the in
dustry q more profitable enterprise.
The bulletin sums up some Of these
fundamental factors as follows:
To be successful in turkey raising,
one must give the most careful con-
sideration to certain fundamental fac
tors. The turkeys, especially the grow
ing stock, must be kept under the
best possible conditions.
Free range neems indispensable, al
though there are few who have
made a success in raising turkeys In
confinement. A. more thorough test
of this method Is necessary, however,
before 1t can be advocated. Certainly
abundance Of free range on clean soil
is greatly to be preferred. Every eff
fort should be made to keep the soil
sweet and clean. This Is particularly
true Of the ground on which the birds
90 !,
Another fundamental essential is to
keep healthy and vigorous breeding
stock In the best possible breeding con-
dition. The breeding birds should get
plenty of exercise and should not be
fed too heavily on fattening rations.
The great difficulty is to get stock that
is free from blackhead, but one can
at least select breeding stock based
on constitutional vigor. BY breeding
from the most vigorous birds every
year, flock Of healthy birds may be
developed and maintained. Certainly
much more care should be exercised
In the selection of male breeders each
year. A.
Both old and young turkeys should
be protected from dampnesS. In Sec
lions Of the country where dampness
is prevalent or where transforms are
frequent the birds should be provided
with suitable protection.
1t Is very important not to feed the
poults too heavily, especially the first
few weeks. Keep them just little
hungry.
A copy Of this bulletin may be Sc
cured, as long as the supply lasts,
from the United States Department
Of Agriculture, Washington, D. @.