270 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



in warm water and the dead ones removed. Live ones 

 can be recognized from the fact that they move in 

 the water. Hatcliing usually commences on the 

 twenty-eighth day, though it may last or even not 

 start until the thirtieth day. It is just as important 

 to remove the hatchlings as little chicks. They 

 should be placed in a box lined with flannel or 

 woolen goods and kept in a warm room. 



REARING 



During the first day or two the turkeys do not 

 need any food. The mother hen must, however, 

 be fed liberally. It is a decided advantage to place 

 the coop over the nest if possible so the turkey 

 will feel at home and contented. Where this is 

 not possible the brood and mother should be moved 

 to desirable quarters ; a coop with a board bottom 

 should be given preference. After the first three 

 days when the young ones are beginning to run 

 around a small yard should be provided. A con- 

 venient yard may be made of three boards 14 inches 

 wide set up on edge in the form of a triangle with 

 a coop in one corner and the mother turkey allowed 

 her freedom. She will not go far from her brood. 

 The little ones may be kept in this kind of inclosure 

 until they are large enough to jump up and make 

 their escape. 



As with chicks, the coops should be moved from 

 place to place frequently. A space inclosing about 

 100 square feet will be ample for the ordinary sized 

 brood. Where the coop cannot be placed upon 

 short grass, ample green feed should be supplied 

 daily. It is also important to give plenty of grit 

 and charcoal and especially necessary to fight lice 



