POULTRY RAISING TURKEYS 371 



stock from those intended for market. This practice soon undermines the 

 vitality of the flock. The very best should be kept for producing stock and 

 the others sent to market. Do not keep fowls for breeders that are poor and 

 thin in flesh. 



Condition for Egg Production. To secure the best results in egg produc- 

 tion hens should neither be too lean nor too fat. They should be kept in good 

 condition out of laying season and during it. When out of laying season they 

 should have food enough to maintain their physical condition and during it 

 they must have the food suitable for egg production. Too much fat in the 

 body comes from feeding an excess of fat producing material while the hen 

 is not laying. While laying a hen seldom becomes overfat. 



Feeds. 



1. Boiled Oats, Wheat, Corn. An excellent feed for stock turkeys is 

 boiled oats, drained of all moisture, a little corn, and some wheat. This ration 

 is one of the best known to make turkey hens lay. It can be successfully fed 

 if the hens are kept in condition before the laying season. 



Feeding For Market. 



Fall Feeding. At this time of the year the turkeys must be sure to be 

 fed. The cold weather and frosts make the natural food scarce and it must 

 be supplied them. Many turkeys die at this time of the year from neglect. 

 Feed must be given to begin their preparation for market. If it is not given 

 them they will lose fat and flesh in hunting for it. A mixture of corn and 

 wheat is the best for this purpose. Just a little should be fed at first, and the 

 supply gradually increased until they are fed all they will eat. Feed them three 

 times a day at the same place and they will soon form the habit of coming to 

 that place for their food. When their longing for food is satisfied, they will 

 cease taking such violent exercise and put on flesh. 



Fattening. 



Confinement. The most successful turkey raisers in this country never 

 confine their fowls to fatten them, but allow them free range and feed them 

 all the wholesome fattening grain they will eat. 



Feeding. The main thing is to keep the turkeys growing from start to 

 finish and have them ready for market by Thanksgiving. Prices are generally 

 higher at Thanksgiving than the holidays. To do this the birds should be 

 well fed when cold weather sets in and should be in robust condition. Wher 

 the turkeys are used to grain feeding as given above, they should be given 

 one of the following feeds : 



Feeds. 



1 Corn Give them all they will eat of sound old corn. If new corn 

 is fed in large quantities it often gives turkeys diarrhea and keeps them f 



