TURKEY RAISING 



practice although the poults with clipped wings seem to 

 get around better and to keep cleaner. 



Shooting or Throwing the Red 



At four weeks of age no trace of red will be found 

 on the heads or necks of the poults. At five weeks the 

 caruncles begin to form and at six weeks of age a trace 

 of red can often be seen in the caruncles under the 

 feathery down of the neck, and the down begins to be 

 shed at this time from that section of the neck. At about 

 seven weeks of age the red on the under part of the 

 neck can be seen at some distance, particularly in the 

 males, but does not become easily visible on the females 

 until a week later. Too much dependence, however, 

 should not be placed upon being able to differentiate be- 

 tween the two sexes of young turkeys at this time, for 

 it is only by a very careful comparison that their sex 

 can be determined under three months of age. 



The appearance of the red on the head and neck is 

 oftentimes termed "shooting the red" or "throwing the 

 red," and this in the opinion of many turkey growers is 

 a delicate period. At this time the young turkeys are 

 inclined to be somewhat less active and some poults may 

 be lost at this stage. 



Distinguishing the Sexes 



At the age of about three months there appears on 

 the breast of the males a small fleshy protuberance. It 



