LAYING AtfD HATCHING. 55 



times I have to drive them in several mornings, keeping 

 them shut in all the forenoon, but I always persevere un- 

 til I conquer them. After they have laid two or three 

 eggs, they will become attached to their nests. I like to 

 have them finish laying and begin to set about the first of 

 May." One man, who has great success with turkeys, 

 encloses a large space by a high fence of wire net- 

 ting, to prevent the turkeys laying and setting in 

 the woods and fields. Nests are provided within the en- 

 closure. During the laying season, the hen turkeys are 

 driven within the enclosure to roost, and confined during 

 the forenoon each day, until all have selected nests. 

 When hatching, they and their young are more readily 

 cared for and controlled. Humor the turkey's love for 

 secrecy, if you prefer to have her lay out of doors, by 

 netting laying coops for her in secluded places not far 

 from your house and barn. Barrels, or "A" coops, with 

 dried leaves or litter in them, will do. If she steals her 

 nest in some bushes not far from the house, leave her alone, 

 but remove the eggs daily, leaving a nest egg in the nest. 

 When she has layed her litter she will rest awhile, and 

 then lay another litter, when she should be allowed to 

 sit. The eggs should be taken into the house and kept in 

 a cool (not cold) place, packed in wheat bran, small end 

 downward. 



Turkey eggs require twenty-eight days for incubation. 

 Coincide with the hen turkey's desire for secrecy, and let 

 her sit in places hidden from the sight of men and dogs. 

 Bottomless boxes that will shed rain, old barrels with twc 

 or three staves knocked out, "A" coops, measur- 

 ing not less than three feet square at the base, plac- 

 ed in retired situations not far from the house, are all that 

 are necessary for hatching purposes. If the turkeys were 

 taught to lay in them, all the better. The nest should be 

 upon the ground, and made of forest leaves or chopped 

 bay. If turkeys are set in barrels laid on their sides, holea 



