VARIETIES, MATING AND SHOWING 



tically never, unless they are hatched and raised with 

 chicken hens or are allowed to roost with other poultry. 



Catching and Handling Turkeys 



With wild turkeys or with wild specimens of the 

 domesticated varieties, perhaps the most satisfactory way 

 to catch them is to use a net constructed of stout cord 

 and of suitable diameter, so that it can be cast over the 

 birds. Stand so that the bird to be caught has to pass 

 between you and the side of the building or a fence. 

 As the bird runs by place the net in its path so that it 

 will run into the net. Let the net give before the advance 

 of the bird rather than try to pull the net over the bird, 

 as the latter practice is more likely to injure its feathers. 

 When the turkey is in the net it cannot struggle to any 

 extent. 



The left hand can then be inserted in the net, worked 

 along the turkey's back until both wings can be grasped at 

 their base or the point where they are attached to the 

 body. The right hand can then be worked under the bird 

 until it grasps both legs below the hocks. The left arm 

 can then be thrown over the bird's wings and around its 

 body in such a way as to support the bird and at the same 

 time hold down its wings. In this position the bird can be 

 carried under the left arm, the head facing back under the 

 arm, the right hand grasping both shanks. In carrying 

 the bird keep its legs straightened out as this will render it 

 less likely to struggle. If it does try to struggle tilt its 



35 



