520 The Illustrated Book of PouLTTiY. 



the chicks on with Httle difficulty. Many farmers feed only on grain after a week or two, but on 

 such diet the young birds never grow large, and rarely show good constitutions. 



There is another thing to be remarked. Many careful observers have recorded that, when 

 given the option, turkeys seem to. prefer the leaves of the dandelion to any other green food, and 

 it has been found that such leaves, liberally given, conduce greatly to the health and vigour of the 

 broods. The well-known medicinal properties of this plant (employed in medicine under the name 

 of Taraxacujii) both as a tonic and alterative, make these effects easily understood ; and it is 

 therefore well worth while to encourage the growth of the dandelion wherever turkeys are reared. 

 This object, as gardeners well know, is only too easily attained in most places ; but even if 

 necessary to scatter a few heads of seed over small patches of ground, it will pay well to do 

 so. In default of the dandelion, lettuce and onions chopped fine form the best substitute. 

 Dryness and cleanliness are however the chief requisites in turkey-rearing so far as prevention 

 of deaths is concerned. 



It seldom answers to try and induce turkeys to roost with other fowls. What they require, or 

 rather do best with, is a high perch in some lofty shed or barn, which if entirely open in front is all 

 the better. They should have, in fact, as much liberty and space in all respects as can be afforded. 



As a rule the turkey-hen lays about eighteen or twenty eggs ; and it^ is therefore best to give 

 the first six or seven — which is as many as she can cover — to a common hen, when the remainder 

 will probably be about enough for the Turkey herself. The period of incubation is about twenty- 

 eight days ; though sometimes the eggs will hatch in twenty-seven, and we have known hatching 

 delayed as long as thirty. The turkey-hen is a model of steadiness as a sitter ; indeed, she sits so 

 closely that unless many birds were removed by hand they would stay upon the nest and starve ; 

 this should therefore be done daily. The hen is, however, jealous and prudish, and hence none but 

 the regular attendant should be allowed to go near her. The way in which this passionate desire 

 to sit is taken advantage of in France we have described in a previous chapter. We may add that 

 it is particularly desirable to mark turkey eggs set under the natural mother, as she frequently 

 lays several after commencing incubation. She will often attempt to steal her nest, but may 

 almost always be induced to sit in the turkey-house without any difficulty, "by shutting her upon 

 the nest the first day, and only allowing her to come off within the house itself for the first time, 

 after that she will usually come back to the nest and eggs provided for her ; but should always 

 be watched to see she does not range away too far. It is well to give the nest a good cleaning the 

 day but one before hatching, carefully removing any dung or feathers, besides the application of 

 sulphur advised by Mr. Simpson. The hen should not again be disturbed or lifted off till hatching 

 is completed, but food and water left within her reach. 



The hard-boiled egg-diet for the first week is important, turkey chicks having a tendency to 

 diarrhoea, which is thus checked. It is better, indeed, for that space of time to add nothing to the 

 egg but minced dandelion leaves, or if they cannot be had, boiled nettles chopped fine. After that, 

 bread-crumbs, barley-meal, and oatmeal may be gradually added, with occasionally some boiled 

 potato, or small grain ; but grain must never form the staple of the diet till older. Curds squeezed 

 dry from the whey may be given in almost any quantity. They are easily prepared by adding a very 

 little alum to warm milk. The weather will, however, cause most anxiety, as both rain and cold 

 biting winds must be carefully guarded against. A very large weather-tight coop for the hen, with 

 the back turned to the wind, and a raised wooden floor covered with dry earth, will do in fine 

 weather ; but a spacious shed with a dry floor, open to the south, and a grass plot in front mown 

 short, is much better. When a month old the hen may be allowed her liberty on fine days, and 

 will generally find sufficient shelter herself from any merely passing shower. 



