TURKEY RAISING 



and the other the following day. If the two toms are 

 allowed to run with the flock at the same time they will 

 fight frequently and seriously and may injure each other 

 so that they will not be in the most vigorous breeding 

 condition or may even be killed. In addition to that, 

 the stronger torn intimidates the weaker to such an extent 

 that the stronger does practically all of the mating. The 

 presence of the weaker torn then serves only as a detri- 

 ment to the mating for he is not allowed to mate with any 

 of the hens and he attempts to interfere with the stronger 

 torn when mating. 



A torn which struts about and spreads his tail fre- 

 quently is usually in good health while one which mopes 

 around with his tail down is not. A glossy clean condition 

 of the plumage is also an indication of good health. 

 Where a flock of 40 or 50 hens is kept, three toms can be 

 used, alternating them each day or perhaps what is better 

 practice, each half day. Whatever may be the number of 

 gobblers necessary in order to insure fertility from the" 

 flock of hens kept, it is well to select and hold over an 

 extra gobbler. This will insure against loss of time in 

 case anything happens to one of the breeding males as it 

 may be difficult to secure the kind of male desired on 

 short notice during the breeding season. 



Breeding Yards 



As turkeys are usually kept with only a few hens in 

 a flock, it is common practice to allow the breeders free 



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