444 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Avoid unsound grain.— Nothing equals good sound grain of all kinds for 

 feeding the growing turkeys. Do not use poor, shriveled, or musty grain 

 of any kind. It is a mistaken notion that it will pay to feed inferior grain 

 to any kind of growing fowl. It is a loss of both time and money to do so, 

 as nothing but disappointment can result from its use. The best results 

 always come from having the best quality of stock and giving it the best 

 food and care. 



FEEDING FOR THE MARKET— EARLY FALL FEEDING. 



The best ration. — As soon as the weather begins to turn cold and insect 

 food becomes scarce, an increased grain diet must be provided for the 

 growing turkeys. A ration of wheat and corn is the best. Do not feed 

 them too much at first, but gradually increase the supply until they are 

 having all they will eat. 



Plenty of food with no confinement . — Those who succeed best in having 

 the turkeys ready and in fine condition for the early market are those who 

 allow them their freedom and feed them all they will eat of wholesome fat- 

 tening grain. Even when finishing them, it is not well to confine them. 

 If they are fed each day at regular hours and at the same place, it will be 

 an easy matter to have them come three times a day to this place to be fed. 

 Their longing for food being fully supplied, less violent exercise will be 

 taken, and the energy that would be expended in their wanderings in search 

 of food will be directed in the more profitable channel of growing and 

 doveloping for market. Turkeys that are poorly fed during the fall expend 

 in seeking food that is no longer attainable, considerable of the flesh they 

 may have gained. 



Turkeys compared with hogs and cattle.— V^hen feeding turkeys for 

 market it must be remembered that they will sell for considerably more per 

 pound than can be obtained for hogs or cattle, while the actual food cost 

 per pound of turkey meat is but little if any more than for hogs or cattle. 

 It will always pay well to give to growing turkeys all the grain they can eat. 



HEAVY FEEDING. 



Advantage of the early market. — Keep them growing from start to finish, 

 and have them ready for the Thanksgiving market, when prices are usually 

 the best. This may be accomplished quite easily with all the early broods, 

 provided they are properly and liberally fed, as the fall weather begins to 

 remove their natural food supply of worms, bugs, seeds, and herbs of all 

 kinds. In feeding for market, the end most desired is complete growth and 

 the greatest possible weight by Thanksgiving time. The records of years 

 show the highest value for market turkeys to have been reached during the 

 last week of November. While the demand is not quite so brisk at Christ- 

 mas time, the prices are almost as high. 



What and when to feed. — Old corn is better than new for heavy feeding, 

 as the latter is apt to cause looseness of the bowels. If necessary to use 

 new corn, it should be introduced into the ration gradually. If the poults 

 have gained a strong, well-developed physique by early fall, they will be in 

 fine condition for heavy feeding. As soon as they have become accustomed 



