FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 437 



better sheltered when located on the south side of a barn or building. The 

 writer has seen a flock of turkeys which go the year round to such a roost; 

 they belong to one of the most successful turkey growers of Rhode Island, 

 and they live continually in the open, not having even the shelter of the 

 trees. 



Buildine;s. — In colder climates, where shelter must be provided, a house 

 may be built that is fashioned after many of our poultry houses with the 

 slanting roof; an open ventilator should be placed in front, close to the roof, 

 and never be closed except in cold weather. The roosts should be placed on 

 a level in the front of the house, with a sliding or rolling door in the rear. 

 Only light enough is needed for the turkeys to see the way to and from the 

 roosts. The door should be left open all day that they may come and go at 

 pleasure. Within this house they may be fed in cold, snowy weather. 



In the cold northern climate of Canada one of the most successful turkey 

 growers has a double-inclosed apartment house for his breeding stock in 

 winter, connected with which is an inclosed run that will protect them from 

 the elements, at the same time furnishing opportunity for open-air exercise 

 during the day. This kind of house is most useful in cold climates, but it 

 might be used in all localities and prevent midnight marauders of all kinds 

 from carrying away the turkeys. 



EGG LAYING, INCUBATION, AND HATCHING. 



Egg laying .—The hen turkey will begin laying from the middle of March 

 to the first of April. In the warmer localities they begin to lay even earlier 

 than this. 



Pairing. — A feature of vital importance is assured fertility of the eggs. 

 As soon as the hen turkey has pared with the male she pays but little atten- 

 tion to him for the time, being fully intent on locating a nesting place where 

 she can lay her eggs. If perchance the pairing with the male has not been 

 complete, her whole clutch of eggs will be infertile and her time and labor a 

 total loss. The importance of vigor in the male is manifest at this most 

 critical time. There is danger in having extra males that may disturb each 

 other at the time or pairing. Therefore, never allow but one male turkey 

 at a time to run with a group of breeding hens. 



Gathering the eggs. — Much depends upon locality and climatic conditions. 

 It often occurs that the hen'turkey will begin to lay at a time when change- 

 able weather may endanger the vitality of her eggs. She should be closely 

 watched in her wanderings, so as to locate her nest and gather the eggs in 

 order to protect them from the cold nights that may come at this early sea- 

 son of the year. It is better, when the necessity arises of taking all or part 

 of the eggs from her nest, to leave eggs of some other kind in their place; 

 large-sized nest eggs of china are the best. If all the eggs are removed she 

 may become dissatisfied and wander away to locate her nest elsewhere, which 

 may prove a disadvantage in securing the best results. 



Hiding Nests. — If unrestrained the hen will naturally select some se- 

 cluded place, under a pile of lumber or logs, or in the brush, for example, 

 where she can hide her nest, hatch, and bring out her young after her 

 natural inclination. If she selects a place which is not well protected, it is 

 better to provide a box or coop with a suitable opening for ingress and 



