.236 YOUNG STOCK. 



nettles, docks, and cresses are much relished, 

 mixed up with meal. A little fresh curd, hard- 

 boiled eggs, bread, groats, and buckwheat, are 

 also favourite items of their daily diet. Coop 

 the hens on grass, and do not, for the first 

 fortnight, allow them free range. After that, 

 let them out during the day, when fine and the 

 ground quite dry. Turkeys are careful, gentle 

 mothers, but the chicks are delicate, and in 

 damp seasons defy all care. They must have 

 shelter from too hot sun, as well as occasional 

 showers, for at least two months. When the 

 weather is very warm and sunny at this season, 

 this is a good time to dispose of adult birds of 

 all kinds, thus making room for the young. 

 I would advise poultry-rearers to exercise their 

 discretion, and allow the mother hens to roam 

 at large with her young brood for a few hours 

 daily, care being taken that she does not wander 

 too far ; but if she seeks the shade and shelter 

 of a hedge or plantation, and there takes her 

 dust-hath, and scrapes up food for her young, 

 the less she is interfered with the better. Place 

 water near, and throw down the usual food for 



