POULTRY RAISING TURKEYS 361 



range, it is best to have not more than six females to one male. When the turkeys 

 are yarded in flocks of eight to twelve, it is better to use two males. When this 

 is done allow only one male with the hens at a time. Change the males at least 

 twice a week. 



Care of Breeding Stock. 



Range. The flock should have free range or a large inclosure after they 

 have been mated. Without plenty of range, turkey raising is seldom satisfactory 

 or profitable. Turkeys are by nature wild birds and wild or semi-wild habits 

 are necessary to their best welfare. Some flocks have done well on 8 to 20 acres 

 but only a few can be grown at a time in this way, and they require close atten- 

 tion and excellent care. A wide range of territory for them to go over undis- 

 turbed is of vital importance. If allowed free range they will pick up the kind 

 of foods suitable to their needs and liking, besides getting plenty of needed ex- 

 ercise. 



Roosting Places. Turkeys do the best when allowed to roost in the 

 open. They enjoy roosting in the trees or upon poles hung in the lee of some 

 building. A good roosting place can be made by planting posts that project 

 about 7 feet above the ground and placing upon these long poles about 2 inches 

 in diameter. Turkeys will roost the year around in such places and fare ex- 

 ceedingly well unless, of course, the weather should be extremely severe. If 

 housed at all their quarters should be roomy, perfectly clean and well ven- 

 tilated, and they should be permitted to come and go at will during the day. 

 Any house will' do, that will protect them from marauders of every kind and 

 from the weather. 



Condition of Stock and Feeding. The breeding stock should never be 

 allowed to become too fat. A turkey that is once fat seldom, if ever, regains its 

 former vigor. Access to granaries and barns often produce an overfat condition. 

 If they have a tendency to become overfat feed them boiled oats. Some corn and 

 wheat may also be fed to advantage. Although we say they should not be al- 

 lowed to become fat, we do not mean they can go without feed entirely. Do not 

 make them go underfed. If the birds have access to the whole farm there is 

 slight danger of their going hungry, especially if any stock is fed on the place. 

 When they are unable to find feed it should be supplied them. When oats, bar- 

 ley, corn or wheat are fed it should be scattered on the ground so that they will 

 have to pick up the grains, kernel by kernel. Avoid feeding much corn as it 

 tends to produce too much fat resulting in infertile eggs. The breeding stock 

 need vegetable food, grit, charcoal and some meat food. They will eat lots of 

 charcoal and it is fine to keep them in condition. 



The Tom should be well fed. He is generally underfed when fed with 

 the flock. It is well to give him an extra ration of corn every day. 



Laying. A properly managed hen turkey generally means one that is 

 allowed to run her own affairs. Such a bird begins laying from the middle of 

 March to the first of April depending upon the latitude and the season. She will 

 lay about 3 clutches in a season, about 30 eggs in all, if a good layer. When 

 she becomes broody she can be broken up by simply destroying her nest and 



