TURKEYS ON THE FARM, 295 
be used to hatch the eggs of hens, ducks and geese, and 
the raiser who does not have an artificial hatcher will 
not have to delay operations until hens get ready to sit, 
or until he can secure the desired number. 
REARING THE TURKEY CHICKS. 
The turkey chicks having been hatched, they will 
require the breeder’s utmost and constant attention for 
the first eight or ten weeks, for on the management of 
the chicks depends the success or failure of turkey rear- 
ing. Turkeys, when chicks, being exceeding delicate 
(the most delicate of any domesticated poultry), and 
liable to be not only decimated, but entire broods exter- 
minated by a sudden cold wind or a slight shower, and 
requiring, as they do, feeding every two hours, or six 
times a day, it is advisable for those who are unable to 
spare the time to give the necessary attention, not to 
attempt breeding turkeys, for they will only meet with 
severe losses and disappointment. 
The chicks, having broken the shells by themselves, 
without any fussy interference by the owner, may be left 
to themselves for twenty-four hours, though the shells 
may be removed and something placed in front of the 
nest, if it be made in a box, to prevent any of the chicks 
falling out and getting cold. The chicks having, just 
previously to emerging from the shell, drawn into their 
body the yolk, they are sufficiently sustained for twenty 
or twenty-four hours or so, and require no feeding until 
the following day. If the day be warm and fine, they 
may be placed outdoors, in a dry situation; if cold and 
damp, or windy, they are better kept under cover, 
though not in a close atmosphere, but where there is 
plenty of ventilation, a large open shed protected from 
the wind being the best. A warm bed having been pro- 
vided, made of chaff, dry sawdust or dry horse drop- 
pings, all over a bed of dry sand and coal ashes, to pre- 
