CHAPTER VL 



CARE OF BREEDING STOCK. 



The unanimous testimony of the one hundred and 

 seventy-seven turkey growers who responded to the call 

 of the Farm and Home for essays on Turkey culture, is, 

 that to have success in raising turkeys, attention must 

 be given to the care of the breeding stock. This must 

 begin "the fall before." 



In the northern part of the United States, and the 

 colder portions of the Middle, they should be housed in 

 winter, though they can stand more cold than common 

 fowls. Freedom to roam, on warm, sunny days, is req- 

 uisite. In the Southern and Pacific States, and some 

 portions of the Middle States, a shed open to the south is 

 sufficient protection, so far as the climate is concerned ; 

 even trees or high rails would be better, if the temperature 

 be not much below the freezing point. Some of the best 

 turkeys I ever saw were in Central Illinois, and never 

 knew shelter, their nightly perch the year round being 

 the ridge pole of a small barn. But the rule to "follow 

 nature' ' must not be misunderstood. Turkeys in their wild 

 state seek the shelter of forests and thick shrubbery in 

 cold weather; an open prairie, in zero weather, is not 

 recommended for domestic birds. 



Where but few turkeys are kept, they may be housed 

 with other fowls, and receive the same feed and care, but 

 are much more liable to disease. In all cases, the floor of 

 the house should be covered six or more inches deep with 

 forest leaves or straw litter, being renewed as often as it if 

 badly soiled and trodden down. 



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