TURKEYS. 173 



A similar treatment should be adopted with 

 the chicks, as with those of the common hen. 

 Leave them for twenty -four hours with the 

 mother ; then offer them the yolk of hard boiled 

 eggs, bread crumbs, curd, minced green food, 

 and confine the hen to her coop for a few days, 

 and always till the grass is dry. 



She will, when at liberty, lead them into the 

 unmown hay, and dry plantations, where they 

 will pick up much food, in the shape of seeds 

 and insects, but they must also be fed by hand, 

 three or four times a day, and at regular intervals. 



Porridge and milk, chopped nettles, onions, 

 docks, and cabbage, are all favourite items in 

 their dietary ; some are nourishing, some stimu- 

 lating ; they must also have their share of the 

 soft balls described in my chapter on food, and 

 grain of any or every sort. Por some years I 

 have made use of Durant & Co.'s* patent meal, 

 for mixing with the other food, and I have found 

 it very beneficial. The poults eat it greedily, 

 and it keeps them in good health and spirits 



* Agent, Mr Daniel Brown, taxidermist, Perth. 



