260 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



regularly reared, it is well worth while to see there is a 

 supply, which is but too easy. When they have a choice, 

 they prefer this to all others, and its known tonic and biliary 

 properties explain the reason. At all events, nothing more 

 helps turkey chicks to thrive ; but it must not be overdone. 

 After a week or so, barley-meal and bread-crumbs may be 

 gradually added, till, at the end of three weeks, the egg is as 

 gradually left off altogether. By degrees, also, a little hard 

 grain and boiled potato may be given, but avoiding too soft 

 or new grain carefully. " Little and often " at first, but 

 gradually coming down to four and three times a day, and 

 feeding rather sparingly than otherwise. 



The following tonic, often used in France, is sometimes 

 useful. 



Powdered cassia bark ... ... ... 3 oz. 



ginger 10 



gentian i ,, 



,, aniseed .. ... ... I ,, 



Iron carbonate ... ... ... ... 5 ,, 



Or in like proportions. This may be mixed with the meal 

 food occasionally at the rate of a small to large teaspoonful 

 for a fair brood, especially at five to ten weeks old, choosing 

 the worst days, or if they seem to flag ; on signs of diarrhoea 

 it is also a useful corrective. 



In our damp climate it is very desirable to have ample 

 but open shedding or roofed coops, under which the chicks 

 can be cooped for at least a week. With Norfolk or Cam- 

 bridge birds, such shelter should be always at hand, and the 

 hen, at least, kept out of wet grass. But we may learn from 

 our American cousins that the more liberty they can have 

 almost from the first, on short dry grass, or on dry soil, the 

 better ; and with the semi-wild American bronze strains 

 now so widely distributed this is even more important, and 

 such may have freer range and exposure, if that range is 



