TURKEYS, ORNAMENTAL POULTRY, 

 AND WATER-FOWL. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



TURKEYS. GUIXEA-FOWL. PEA-FOWL. 



TURKEYS. The most opposite opinions have been expressed by 

 different breeders as to whether or not the rearing of turkeys 

 in England is profitable. The general judgment seems to be 

 that they can barely be made to repay the cost of their food. 

 In the Eastern Counties, however, they are largely reared with 

 very satisfactory results, and we believe that where the 

 balance-sheet is unsatisfactory, the cause will generally be 

 found in heavy losses from want of care. The mortality in 

 turkey chicks is very often tremendous, and quite sufficient to 

 eat up any possible amount of profit ; but there are persons 

 who for years have reared almost every chick ; and, under 

 these circumstances, they will yield a very fair return, 



We have taken much pains to gather, from the best 

 authorities, the essentials of such successful management ; and 

 wherever our directions shall be found to differ from others, 

 the reader may rely with confidence that the treatment given 

 is such as has been thoroughly tested and proved to give the 

 best results. 



The main point to remember is, that for about the first six 

 weeks ot two months the turkey chicks are excessively delicate 

 as regards wet or cold. The very slightest shower, even in 

 warm weather, will often carry off half of a large brood. 

 When about two months old, however, the red naked protu- 

 berances about the neck and throat begin to appear, and as 

 soon as these are fairly developed, or the birds "shoot the red," 

 as it is called, the chicks become poults, and are soon hardier 

 than most other fowls, braving any weather with impunity. 



