MANAGEMENT OF THE BREEDING STOCK 



ing the winter is also necessary if the birds are to be kept 

 in the best condition, as this takes the place of the insects 

 which they are able to secure at other seasons. Ordinary 

 commercial beef scrap such as is fed to hens, or beef livers 

 or lungs or skim milk, either sweet or sour, is suitable for 

 this purpose. 



Often a good laying mash such as is used for laying 

 hens can be fed to the breeding flock just previous to the 

 breeding season in order to start them laying. Unless 

 turkeys are used to eating a mash, however, it may be 

 some little time before they will eat it readily. Where 

 the breeding stock is confined to a breeding pen it is well 

 to sow some green crop such as grass, oats, rye, wheat, 

 barley, clover or alfalfa. It is not desirable to feed the 

 breeding stock on corn alone for a grain. Wheat and 

 oats are the best grains for the purpose. The laying hens 

 should also have access during the breeding season to 

 grit and charcoal and also to oyster shells for the pur- 

 pose of furnishing shell-forming material. 



It is especially necessary to supply grit when the soil 

 does not contain much gravel. Charcoal is an excellent 

 aid in keeping the birds in good condition as it is a good 

 corrective for digestive troubles. Unless the birds have 

 access to a stream of water, it is necessary to provide fresh 

 water daily in a pan, pail or other receptacle which can be 

 kept clean. Stagnant water is bad for turkeys, and they 

 prefer to drink from a stream. Such a stream is there- 

 fore a valuable asset on a farm where turkeys are 

 raised. 



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