272 Farm Poultry 



poults are very delicate and require close atten- 

 tion on the part of the attendant. First of all, 

 they must be kept dry. Wet or damp quarters 

 should be avoided. A dry, porous soil is consid- 

 ered much more satisfactory than a heavy one, 

 though the latter be underdrained. "Young tur- 

 keys should not be out in heavy showers until 

 their backs are well covered with feathers. If 

 they get wet they may die from chill unless put 

 in a warm room to dry. Black or red pepper 

 and ginger in the food or drinking water aid 

 them to overcome a chill, and are of great value 

 on cold or damp days and are a preventive of 

 bowel troubles in both old and young turkeys."* 



For the first few weeks the young should be 

 kept in dry places and not permitted to travel 

 through tall grass when it is wet. During the 

 warm and dry parts of the day they may be 

 given a run on short grass or cultivated land. 

 Many poultrymen prefer placing the hen in a 

 large, airy coop and giving the young a free 

 run, rather than to confine the young and give the 

 hen her freedom. In either case it is advisable 

 to restrict the run of the young for a few days. 

 It should not be omitted to move the coops 

 frequently, that the young may be brooded on 

 fresh ground. 



The first food should be soft and easily di- 



* Bulletin No. 25, Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station. 



