PMCTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR RAISING TURKEYS. 



BY ERNEST EDWARD TYZZER, PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY, 

 AND MARSHAL FABYAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF COMPARATIVE PA- 

 THOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL, BOSTON, MASSA- 

 CHUSETTS. 



As compared with other hues of poultry, turkey raising has 

 lost ground, at least in many parts of the country. Here in 

 New England, where turkeys were formerly raised very ex- 

 tensively, we hear the statement made over and over again by 

 farmers and poultry raisers that they are through with turkeys. 

 That the turkey has disappeared from many localities where it 

 was formerly raised in large numbers is noted, therefore, with 

 more or less apprehension. The common experience is to have 

 a fine flock of growing turkeys sicken and die after some weeks 

 of careful attention and bother. Frequently an entire flock 

 is wiped out or only one or two somewhat damaged specimens 

 are left. From year to year results vary from comparative 

 success to utter failure on account of various unknown factors 

 which may or may not be present from season to season, and 

 a lack of real knowledge of the difficulties involved. 



The study of the turkey and of the disease which appears to 

 be the chief obstacle to turkey raising has established certain 

 facts which, although published in scientific journals, have not 

 become generally known to those interested in raising turkeys, 

 and numerous inquiries since we have undertaken our investi- 

 gations have emphasized this lack of knowledge. It is there- 

 fore with the view of pointing out those facts which may be 

 of importance to those engaged in raising turkeys that we 

 present a popular article on the subject. 



The rapid growth of the turkey, together with the relatively 

 small amount of grain required for its diet, makes it one of our 

 most economical meat-producing animals, and the popularity 

 of this meat at a time when young turkeys are approaching 

 maturity will undoubtedly continue to insure a ready market. 

 Furthermore, there is little expense in wintering stock, as it is 

 only necessary to keep a sufficient number for breeding purposes. 



