July 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.JF. 565 



American Bronze Turkeys— Breeding and 



Raising. 



A. L. WYNDHAM, 



Wagga Experiment Farm. 



The breefling of American Bronze Turkeys is within the reach of anyone who 

 can allow them a fiee range of not less than 2 acres. 



The flock may be commenced Wy ptxrchase of a sitting of eggs, when a turke}' 

 hen is available to mother the brood, or by btiying an unrelated gobbler and 

 he IS. A thoro iglibred male will improve the progeny of common tiirkevs at 

 <iny time, but it is impossible to arrive at pure bred ^tock by this means, as 

 the influence of the common turkey must predominate. 



One gobbler is sufficient to m>ite with ten hens on the average. Special 

 •c-are shotild be exercised in his selection. Choo-e a bird rather tmrler standard 

 weight (35 I'l.) than over, in geneial outline pleasing to the eye, thick and 

 medium short in shank, clean in mouth, atifl about IH months of age, though 

 they are fit for service from about 10 mouths. 



The hens are best for breeding from 2 yeiU'sof age and upwar.ls, being more 

 -sedate and matured. They lay, on the average, two settings a year, with odd 

 eufgs at times, and one service of the male is sufticient to fertili>e a setting. 



As it is generally necessary for saft-ty to shut them in a yard at night, 

 build the yard round some trees where they may i-oost — though the heavier 

 l)irds should be discoui-aged from roosting, or the place where they fly down 

 made soft, on account of the damage cause'! to their feet by corns, kc. Clean 

 water, grit, and shell, with gra,ntilated charcoal, should always be provided, 

 and green stuff when none is availal)le otitside their yard. A feed of grain 

 in the evening, to attract them home, is generally sufficient, but during 

 moultin.; time and winter give some soft food in the morning. 



Clean up the droppings often, and feed in troughs where possible. 



The chief laving season seems to be from July to September. The hen 

 utters a peculiar cry when ofl" to lay, and should be watched at a distcince. 

 It is well to leave a ne>t e^jg — a fov\rs egg will flo. 



There is no difticulty in dis'inguishing a clticky turkey ; their legs go red, 

 and the redness on neck and head goes away ; the breast al.so bee imes bare. 

 If they can be set on their own nest w- 11 and good, but should a change to 

 aiiMther nest be necessary, handle very quietly and flrmly, and give the hen 

 a few eggs, other than those you intend to set, for the first few days. The 

 change may be made from the old nest during the day time if the bird is 

 (|uiet, and there is no need of a dnse of wine or anything to keep her clucky. 

 but liave the new nest of such heiijht that the hen cannot stand upright. 

 Keep a board sci-een before the nest all the hatch. Release for a run every 



