TURKEYS 265 



bered, however, that turkeys are a side line; they 

 have not been raised in commercial quantities like 

 ducks or chickens. 



One advantage of turkey raising is that expensive 

 and extensive coops are not required. Probably the 

 majority of turkey raisers permit 

 their turkeys to roost in trees no 

 matter what the weather may be. 

 This is not considered as desirable 

 as formerly. There is no question 

 that turkeys intended for market feed trough 

 cannot make as good growth when for turkeys 

 exposed as when protected, at and roosters 

 least somewhat, and it is just as 

 unlikely that stock birds will do well when forced 

 or permitted to roost in trees where, during a sleet 

 storm they may freeze to the branches. On these 

 accounts, shelter of some sort should be provided 

 and the birds taught to roost under cover. The 

 sheds need be only sufficient to keep out snow and 

 rain and the severe wind. They may be somewhat 

 after the order of the open-air house illustrated on 

 page 60. These turkej^ sheds should, however, be 

 more lofty than for chickens and the roosts should 

 be several feet above the ground, preferably rather 

 close to the roof. There is no reason why a turkey 

 should not adopt more rational methods than it did 

 in the forest and the fact that it can be taught to do 

 so is distinctly in favor of the turkey raiser. 



TEMPORARY CONFINEMENT 



During the laying season, many turkey raisers 

 confine their flocks to comparatively small yards 

 at least until their hens have decided upon a place 



