MANAGEMENT OF THE BREEDING STOCK 



the paddle is thus tied in place across the shoulders the 

 bird is prevented from raising and spreading its wings 

 and cannot fly. 



Where hens have stolen a nest and started to lay be- 

 fore they have been shut up in the enclosure they will 

 make every effort for a few days to get out in order to 

 continue laying in the nest which they have selected for 

 themselves. In this case the eggs should be removed from 

 the nest which they have stolen and their wings should 

 be clipped or they should be paddled so as to prevent 

 their flying over the fence. As a rule they will begin lay- 

 ing in a few days in one of the nests provided in the en- 

 closure. 



Where wild turkeys are kept it is necessary to clip the 

 flight feathers of one wing in order to keep the birds 

 from flying over the fence. Even with one wing clipped, 

 a higher fence is necessary than is the case with the do- 

 mesticated varieties and it is best to use a fence 8 or 

 preferably 10 feet high. It is better to clip one wing only 

 rather than to clip both wings, as this tends to unbalance 

 the bird more when it tries to fly or climb. With both 

 wings clipped the birds are able to climb over quite a high 

 fence. In this connection, it should be stated that the 

 wing of the wild turkey torn should never be clipped until 

 after the breeding season is over. To do so makes it 

 difficult for the birds to balance when treading the hens 

 and therefore interferes with the breeding. On this ac- 

 count it may be necessary until after the breeding season 

 is over, to keep the wild turkeys in a run covered ovef 



53 



