Companions of the Hen. 95 



from two different breeders, and in mating use one from each breeder for 

 each pair, so as to have no possibility of inbreeding. 



For feed use coarse cracked corn three parts, whole corn two parts, 

 wheat two parts, Canada peas two parts, hemp seed one part. Always 

 be sure that the feed is sweet and sound, and never feed any new grain 

 until it is well dried out and hard. When convenient I prefer feeding 

 three times per day on the ground in the fly, giving them all they will 

 clean up; if not convenient to feed at noon, cracked corn may be kept 

 before them all the time in a feeder so arranged that it will be kept clean 

 and dry. Always give fresh water when feeding, and have a pan of water 

 large enough for them to bathe in. 



Keep good sharp grit and ground oyster shells before them all the time. 

 -Mso keep a mixture of ground charcoal six parts, old mortar or plaster 

 three parts and fine salt one part, where they may have free access to it, 

 and supply them with tobacco stems for them to make their nests with. 

 These may be either on the floor of the house or in the fly, and the birds 

 will use them as they need them. Any coarse hay or straw will answer in 

 place of the tobacco, but the tobacco is a protection against lice. The 

 squabs are ready for market when four to five weeks old, and first-class 

 squabs bring from $3 to $4.50 per dozen in New York markets, according 

 to the season. If you get good breeding stock and give them good care 

 they will repay you well. 



CARE OF TURKEYS.— We have found young turkeys as easy to 

 raise as chickens when cared for in the following manner : The method 

 of hatching is immaterial — a reliable incubator, hens or turkey hens, which- 

 ever is most convenient. The time, however, is important. As the 

 Springs here are cold and often wet we find it better to have poults hatch 

 about June 1. Have sufficient turkey hens sitting to care for the poults 

 when hatched. If they have been sitting but a week you may put the 

 newly-hatched, but thoroughly dried, little poults under them at night 

 and they will care for them. Never try to raise turkeys in a brooder or 

 with common hens. Do not give more than 20 poults to each hen to 

 mother, and place turkey and brood in a triangular pen made of boards 

 "12 inches wide and placed on edge. Place within this enclosure a house 

 of some kind. If the weather be warm an A-shaped lath coop will answer. 

 Have the pen movable, and move to fresh grass frequently. Feed the 

 turkey plenty of corn, but do not feed the poults until 36 hours after the 

 last one is hatched. Provide fresh water in clean drinking fountains 

 and grit. 



Sprinkle the hen with a good insect powder, and keep the poults at all 

 times free from lice. Between the third and sixth day spread the wing of 

 each little poult and pull out the six quills you will find starting to grow 

 along the outer edge. When the poults can fly over this pen let them 



