272 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



is often used. When about two weeks old many 

 breeders give a mixture of equal parts of milk and 

 cornmeal, middlings or some other meal. This is 

 allowed to swell for several hours before being fed 

 so as to prevent any possible danger of swelling 

 after being eaten. About this 

 time cracked corn and wheat are 

 often given in the evening. 



Three times a day seems to be 



enough to feed little turkeys until 



they are well grown, especially 



if allowed more or less range and 



given an opportunity to pick 



grass, insects, etc. In fact, it is 



almost essential that they have 



something to pick at all the time. 



GRIT, SHELL AND For this reason a grass yard 



CHARCOAL should be given the preference to 



HOPPER all other quarters. Milk may be 



given instead of driking water if 



desired, but it seems best to have ample pure water 



before the brood at all times, whether milk is fed or 



not. It is also essential to have grit. Some turkey 



raisers, especially those who do not have grass 



runs, consider it necessary to feed every two or 



three hours until the birds are ten days or two 



weeks old. No more should be fed at a time than 



the poults will eat without waste. 



Many poultrymen feed johnnycake made of cheap 

 flour, preferably of the whole grain and cornmeal 

 mixed with milk and infertile eggs from the in- 

 cubator, but without soda or baking powder. The 

 ingredients may be of almost any ratio, but prefer- 

 ably about equal parts. After mixing to a rather soft 

 batter, the cake is thoroughly baked and allowed 



