BREEDING TURKEYS. 217 



30 Ibs., and the hens 18 Ibs. : there were that season more pairs 

 weighing 40 Ibs. than there had been 35 Ibs. the year before ; and 

 they were hardier and reared with less trouble. 



Th is rule is universal. The only thing to be said against it 

 is, that a very heavy gobbler is sometimes too much for the 

 hens. This, however, can be avoided, and is avoided in 

 America, by shutting up the gobblers a while before breeding, 

 and feeding rather sparingly, but on good food, so as to reduce 

 their weight. The gobbler should be as large in frame as 

 possible ; but the best chicks, with such a father, come from 

 hens 14 Ibs. to 17 Ibs. each. Special care should be selected to 

 weed out birds which have a short keel or breast-bone, which 

 is a great fault, and will reduce the price immensely, affecting 

 the carver most seriously. 



The turkey-hen generally lays about eighteen eggs some- 

 times only ten or a dozen, and when each egg has been taken 

 away when laid, it may be more. We once heard of ninety 

 eggs being laid by a turkey-hen, but can scarcely credit such a 

 statement A very good plan is to give a turkey's first seven 

 eggs to a common hen quite as many as she can cover when 

 there will be generally just about enough laid subsequently to 

 be hatched by the turkey herself. The best time to hatch the 

 chicks out is in the months of May and June, or even July ; 

 and all eggs set should be marked, as the turkey often lays 

 several after commencing incubation. 



In a state of nature, the turkey-cock is constantly seeking 

 to destroy both the eggs and chickens, which the female as 

 sedulously endeavours to conceal from him. There is generally 

 more or less of the same disposition when domesticated, and, 

 when it appeara, it must be carefully provided against ; but 

 the behaviour of very many cocks is quite unexceptionable ; 

 and as such a quiet disposition saves a great deal of trouble, 

 it is always worth while to ascertain the character of the cock 

 of the year in this respect. If he be friendly to the chicks 



