CHAPTEE XL 



SHELTER MARKING. 



As mentioned before, much housing of turkeys is not 

 needed. Health, vigor and strength of constitution, both 

 in the parent and young stock, are the all-important con- 

 siderations. High roosts, if they perch out of doors, are 

 necessary, that foxes, etc, do not get them. Large fence 

 rails set horizontally on uprights, ten or twelve feet from 

 the ground, are the next best things to the large limbs of 

 trees. In the more northern latitudes the housing need 

 not begin until snow falls. The birds should always roost 

 near the house or barn, that they may be kept tame. 



There is more danger that turkeys will be kept in too 

 warm houses, than in too cold. A tight house with 

 draughts from a ventilator, such as is used with common 

 hens, would be too confining for turkeys. The healthy 

 adult can stand almost any amount of cold, rain or snow, 

 but must have cold, pure air, and a dry place to roost and 

 to stay in when he feels like it. Observe the nature of 

 wild turkeys in this respect. A windbreak is highly de- 

 sirable, but a house is not the thing for old turkeys unless 

 it is the size of a barn and built as open. 



At the Khode Island Station, although the turkey house 

 was airy and high, the young turkeys which were allowed 

 to roost therein did not thrive. The slat door was open 

 after dark, that they might leave in the morning as early 

 as they chose, but they seemed to be affected unfavorably. 

 Those allowed full liberty and outdoor roosts were much 

 more thrifty. During the winter it was the same with the 

 old turkeys that roosted in the house. Young and old were 

 out of condition and had colds, with swelled faces, vhile 



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