VARIETIES, MATING AND SHOWING 



cult to keep the tail white. If the bird has a good deep 

 red body color there is a greater likelihood of more or 

 less red or buff occurring in the white sections of the 

 wings and tail. Red is more likely to occur in the main 

 tail feathers at the outer sides of the tail while the center 

 tail feathers are most likely to be clear white. 



i 



Preparing Turkeys for the Show 



There is not much that needs to be done in preparing 

 turkeys for exhibition. Since birds of good size and 

 weight are usually favored and because turkeys often 

 shrink as much as 2 or 3 pounds during their shipment 

 to the show it is necessary that they be in a good con- 

 dition of flesh. This does not mean that they need to 

 be especially fat, although turkeys are sometimes fat- 

 tened to quite an extent in order to have their weight 

 as high as possible when shown. Corn is as good a 

 material as any to feed in preparing turkeys for the 

 show so as to get them in good condition of flesh. If the 

 birds are used to eating any good mash feed this can be 

 used and will put them in condition quicker than corn. 

 However, if they are not used to eating mash they will 

 not take to it readily and will not eat it freely for some 

 time, with the result that they will not condition as 

 quickly. The birds should not be penned up in order to 

 fatten them or get them in good condition of flesh. This 

 is a mistake, as they will not eat well or do well when 

 confined for any length of time. In preparing turkeys 



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