TURKEY RAISING 



neck shows quite an even convex curve which is carried 

 out also in the line of the tail which, unlike that of the 

 ordinary domestic fowl, extends downward rather than 

 upward. The tail itself should not be too closely folded 

 but should show a fairly good spread both when closed 

 and when extended or spread. 



Turkeys of both sexes show a tuft of coarse hair 

 growing from the breast called the beard. This is longer 

 and more prominent in the male than in the female. The 

 feet should be of good size with strong well formed toes. 

 It is necessary in this connection to avoid a duck-toed 

 condition, that is to say, where the rear toe turns around 

 to the side or toward the front. It is desirable to select 

 birds with good bright eyes, because these birds are as a 

 rule the strongest individuals in the flock. In some speci- 

 mens there is a tendency for the back to be straight rather 

 than curved, and it is necessary to avoid these straight- 

 backed birds in breeding. Turkeys should have good 

 strong wings of moderately good size in proportion to 

 the size of the bird. Any tendency toward wings which 

 are too long so that when folded the ends are carried up 

 on the back and tend to lap should be avoided. 



In addition to the selection of birds on the basis of their 

 general body type or shape it is of primary importance to 

 make sure that the birds used for breeders are well ma- 

 tured, which means early hatched, and that they are strong 

 and vigorous individuals. It is also necessary in all of the 

 standard varieties to select the breeders which approach 

 as closely as possible to the standard or ideal in their color 



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