CHAPTER XV 



Turkeys 



As already indicated on page 40, the turkey readily 

 fits in with farm work and yet not everyone can 

 engage in turkey business because much depends 

 upon surroundings. The laws of trespass do not 

 permit animals and poultry to roam over the fields 

 of one's neighbors, so unless the neighbors are 

 willing to permit the wanderings of turkeys over 

 their fields, this branch of poultry raising had 

 better not be undertaken. It is essential that tur- 

 keys have range, and if one finds fields are not large 

 enough to permit ample forage, turkey raising had 

 best be abandoned as a leading branch of poultry 

 raising. To be sure, a few turkeys can be grown 

 on a small farm, even with limited range, but 

 usually it is not safe to grow in restricted quarters 

 more than will supply the demands of the home 

 table. 



So far as locality is concerned, turkeys can be 

 raised anywhere. It is not safe, however, to at- 

 tempt keeping them in damp places, nor heavy 

 soils. Light soils, well drained, especially on up- 

 lands, suit them best. Where such conditions can 

 be provided with abundant foraging ground, there 

 is no reason why the turkey should not prove prof- 

 itable. It does remarkably well in grain and stock 

 sections, since the fowls can pick up much of the 

 broken heads of grain left in the field and also 

 secure abundant insect diet, particularly after the 

 hay crop has been harvested. It must be remem- 



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