TURKEYS AND GUINKA-FOWLS. lOI 



clabbered milk and pressing out the whey, makes a 

 wholesome side-dish, and so does a custard of egg 

 and milk mixed with bran and corn meal. Grit and 

 water should be supplied from the beginning, as both 

 are essential to health. 



When the poults are able to hop out of their board 

 pen they are strong enough to follow their mother. 

 But as dampness is particularly injurious until they 

 are ten or twelve weeks old, they should not be let out 

 of the coop in the morning until the dew is off ihe 

 grass, and it is always well to get them under shelter 

 when a shower conies. Eternal vigilance is the price 

 of sound and health}- turkeys at this earl 3- stage of their 

 existence. If overtaken in a storm it is sometimes nec- 

 essary to bring the little fellows in the house and dry 

 them by the fire. As soon as they feather out and 

 *.' siioot the red," as it is said when the red appears in 

 their faces, they take on new vitalit}- and can stand 

 more hardships than chicks. 



After this time they ma}- be allowed to forage at 

 pleasure. With a suitable range they will be able to 

 gather in the fields and woods the greater part of their 

 living. It is always prudent, however, to feed them 

 twice a day, supplying them a light meal in the morn- 

 ing early and giving them all they will eat when they 

 return at night. By taking care to feed them regu- 

 larly in this manner they may be trained to come 

 home every evening instead of perching on the 

 fences out in the fields, or in the woods. But as 

 " turkeys will be turkeys" now and then, and remain 

 away from the premises, they should be hunted up 

 the ver}^ first time their absence is noticed and driven 

 home and fed. 



