CHICKS FROM DYING IN THE SHELL 



23 



advantages than you would a breed you do not like. Select females with 

 good bone and long, deep bodies, with head and wattles as red as possible, 

 as these qualities show good health. Avoid all extremes either in over- 

 grown or small, weak birds. Those who use great extremes usually round 

 up in the fall with very small flocks, while those who use better judgment 

 in selecting their breeding stock almost invariably raise good flocks. Do 

 not allow your breeders to become over-fat. Keep them in good condition 

 and give them plenty of exercise. Turkeys should be allowed free range at 

 all times, but keep them gentle and never frighten them. Teach them to 

 nest near the house, if you^an, by building appropriate nests for them. 



Bronze Turkeys 



This can be done by laying empty barrels in fence corners or under hedges 

 and placing brush and limbs over them. Put some straw in the barrel and 

 leave room for some brush over the front of the barrel. They like such a 

 nest and think they are hiding in a brush pile. If you let your turkeys go 

 to the timber and make their nest, the crows are sure to rob their nests, or 

 the eggs will chill, for we have some very cold nights after the turkeys begin 

 to lay in the spring. If you can induce them to lay in the nests you have 

 prepared for them, you can gather the eggs daily and place them where 

 you can turn them each day until ready for incubation. Turkey hens 



