192 



OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



most important tasks of the person who has charge of a flock 

 of turkeys is to see that the flock is at home before nightfall. 



After they begin to roost, young turkeys need no shelter in the 

 spring and summer. When chilly nights come in the fall, late- 

 hatched turkeys may do better housed than in the open. Tur- 

 keys that are well grown and fully feathered do not need to be 

 under cover in the winter except in protracted or very severe 

 storms. Turkey growers who wish to have the birds partially 



FIG. 159. House and yards for stock turkeys on a California ranch. (Photo- 

 graph from the Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department 

 of Agriculture) 



under control, and want to be able to catch any one when they 

 need it, often have the birds roost in a shed or other outbuilding 

 available for the purpose. Such places should be very well ven- 

 tilated, or the turkeys will become soft and take colds. 



Yards are made for turkeys only to enable the person in 

 charge of them to keep them under control when necessary. 

 The principal uses of the yards are to confine the hens at the 

 laying season and to separate birds from the general flock when 

 there is any occasion for this. A great deal of trouble is some- 

 times saved by having a small yard for such purposes. The 



