BREEDING TURKEYS. 257 



keep of large birds through the winter and get a better 

 price. Now repeated experiments have been made on this 

 point, of which we will only quote one, recorded in 

 America, where turkeys are reared far more systematically 

 than in England. A raiser bred from an unusually large 

 and strong gobbler, bred the preceding season, but weighing 

 25 lb., and very fine yearling hens. All were from a large 

 strain, and gave a fine flock, several pairs weighing 35 lb. 

 at seven months old. The birds were kept over, and next 

 year the cock weighed over 30 lb., and the hens 18 lb. : 

 there were that season more pairs weighing 40 lb. than 

 there had been 35 lb. the year before ; and they were 

 hardier and reared with less trouble. 



This 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, is avoided in America 

 by shutting up the gobblers a while before breeding, and 

 feeding sparingly, but on good food, so as to reduce their 

 weight. Both gobblers and hens, in fact, should be as large 

 in frame as possible, but not in the least fat and heavy. 

 The best chicks, with a very large father, come from hens 

 14 lb. to 17 lb. each, and chicks from plump, heavy 

 parents, are far less hardy. Special care should be exercised 

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

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

 carving most seriously. 



In regard to the housing of breeding stock, an important 

 lesson is to be drawn from the experience above cited. If 

 even a large and high roosting-house be enclosed, it will be 

 noticed how the birds hurry out in the morning they want 

 fresh air. A turkey-house should not face towards cold 

 aspects ; but having seen to that point, it should be entirely 

 open in front, and, if possible, the front of the shed higher 

 than the back. Then if the perch be as near the back wall 

 R 



