47'J: Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



type and colour, so there is no need to inbreed to fix these or any 

 other points. Up to ten or twelve hens may be mated to a vigorous 

 toin ; they should be at least twelve months old, but preferably two- 

 or three years, well grown, and vigorous, but not more than 20 lb. 

 in weight; abnormally large hens may win in the show pen, but as. 

 breeders are invariably a failure. 



To breed turkeys successfully free range is absolutely essential;, 

 thev are naturally of a restless and roving disposition, and if closely 

 confined quickly become listless and fall oft in condition. Adult 

 stock do not require any house or shelter, and remain in perfect health 

 and condition if roosting out all the year round. The roosting place 

 should, however, be enclosed by wire-netting to protect them from 

 thieves and vermin. The perches, which can be erected between trees 

 or substantial uprights, should not be more than 3 or 4 feet high, as 

 turkovs are liable to injure their feet in flying down from high 

 roosts; the perches, which can be of wattle or gum saplings sawn in 

 half should be smooth of surface and not less than three inches broad. 

 It is not advisable to keep other poultry with them, as both turkey 

 cocks and hens are apt to bully and often severely injure other birds. 



During the l)reeding season, turkey hens often suffer injury 

 through the attentions of a vigorous male, and such hens should be 

 removed until the back has healed. 



Feeding . 



The breeding stock may be fed as follows : Mash in the morning- 

 consisting of equal parts of bran and pollard mixed to a crumbly 

 consistency with water, or once or twice weekly in winter with soup ; 

 to this kitchen scraps of vegetables, meat, and bread may be added; 

 if plenty of insect life is obtainable soup and meat may be withheld. 

 In winter, when grass is scarce, cooked vegetables may with advantage 

 be added to the mash, and choi)ped cabbage, etc., fed at noon. Mash 

 should always be fed in troughs, and approximately one handful to 

 each bird will be found sufficient. In the evening grain may be 

 given ; oats and wheat are excellent, but maize and katfir corn should 

 be fed with discretion, especially near the beginning of the breeding 

 season. Flint grit and oyster-shell should always be available. The 

 amount of food fed to a flock of turkeys must necessarily depend to 

 a great extent on what they can find in the fields; for instance, it 

 wheat stubble is close at hand they can be driven there in the morning 

 and left until night, and feeding them is quite unnecessary. 



Hatching and Rearing. 



The first eggs may be expected about the end of June, and the 

 hens should be allowed to select their own nests, as they will sehh.ni 

 lay in nests prepared for them ; at this period they exhibit great 

 shyness and should on on account be interfered with so long as the 

 nest is in a safe and suitable place. As tlie eggs are laid they should 

 be removed and safely stored in a cool room and turned daily ; unless 

 a nest egg is left in the nest the hen will probably desert it. 



AVIien broody, unless under exceptional circumstances, it is 

 advisable to bring the hen in and set her in a suitable place where 

 no dogs or vermin are likely to disturb her. 



