Turkeys in California 111 



In starting in, it is always best to purchase stock from two p.arties 

 widely separated so that there is no danger of inbreeding, for to in- 

 breeding is due that fatal of all diseases of turkeys, "Blackhead." 



It is claimed that even when all the food must be purchased, turkeys 

 can be raised at a cost of eight cents a pound; whether this includes 

 losses from disease or not I do not know. All statistics are more 

 or less misleading because all facts are not included. However, there 

 is and will be good prices paid for all the turkeys that can be raised 

 on this Coast for a great many years, if not for all time. 



Turkey Troubles. — The diseases that attack turkeys are similar to 

 those of chickens in general. They get roup if crowded in poorly 

 ventilated coops, canker in the mouth, head and eyes from cold or 

 filth, and diseases of the crop and intestines. What will cure a chicken 

 will cure a turkey. But the very best cure in all cases is prevention, 

 one ounce of wliich is said to be worth a pound of cure, but believe 

 me, when it comes to turkeys, one ounce of prevention is worth many 

 times a pound of cure. Turkeys are a good deal like sheep, they 

 soon give up. A sick turkey has no ambition to live and it is hard 

 to arouse them. 



"Blackhead" is the one dread of turkey men, and yet, on this 

 Coast, it is very rare, and when properly bred it is never seen. The 

 following mixture will often eradicate it even after it gets a good 

 start in a flock: 



Sulphur, 20 grains; 

 Sulphate of Iron, 2 grains; 

 Sulphate of Quinine, 2 grains; 



mix the above and divide into two rather long pills, giving one to 

 each turkey weighing six pounds or over; under that weight, this 

 quantity may be divided into three pills. 



Another good liver medicine is Podophyllum; and yet another that 

 has been very successfully used in all kinds of turkey troubles is 

 "Carters Little Liver Pills." These are sold at all drug stores as a 

 cure for liver troubles in mankind, and I know of several cases where 

 they have been used for turkeys and chickens both. Give plenty of 

 onions and chopped garlic with the food and very little else will be 

 needed. 



Fattening Turkeys For Market. — To make a success of fattening 

 turkeys, it is better to have them all of one size and as near one 

 age as possible. This can easily be done by sorting out the largest or 

 first hatches of the season and putting them into separate yards. 



Fix one or two good high poles for roosts before putting the birds 

 in the yards and arrange the feed troughs so that you will annoy the 

 turks as little as possible after they are put in fattening quarters. 



Give them plenty of water, but no food the first day, unless they 

 get too restless, then a little grain may be fed. 



