PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



second place, they are in danger of becoming infected with 

 certain diseases, such as coccidiosis, from the chickens. 



In fattening turkeys for market it is customary to feed a 

 mixture of grains, such as corn, wheat, and oats. If fed an 

 excess of new corn, diarrhea is likely to occur, and this may 

 lead to serious disease. If not shipped alive, turkeys should 

 be dry-picked, plumped by plunging into cold water, and 

 shipped undrawn. 



The diseases which attack turkeys are cholera, blackhead, 

 coccidiosis, limberneck, chicken pox, roup and intestinal 

 worms. The treatment of these diseases is given in Chapter 

 XIV. 



Guinea Fowl 



The number of guinea fowl on farms on Jan. 1, 1920, was 

 2,410,421, and the value of these was $1,582,313. 



The system of feeding guineas resembles that of chickens, 

 but they eat less food. Bread crumbs and hard-boiled egg 

 make a good feed for the guinea chicks. 



It is about as difficult to determine the sex of guineas as 

 of geese. The male has a longer helmet and wattles and 

 coarser features. The cry of the female resembles the word 

 "buck-wheat," while that of the male is a one-syllable shriek. 



Quoting from Farmers' Bulletin, No. 858: 



"Guinea fowl are growing in favor as a substitute for game 

 birds, with the result that guinea raising is becoming more 

 profitable. 



"They are raised usually in small flocks on general farms, 

 and need a large range for best results. 



"Domesticated guinea fowl are of three varieties: Pearl, 

 White and Lavender, of which the Pearl is by far the most 

 popular. Guinea fowl have a tendency to mate in pairs, but 

 one male may be mated successfully with three or four females. 



"Guinea hens usually begin to lay in April or May and will 

 lay 20 to 30 eggs before becoming broody. If not allowed to 

 sit they will continue to lay throughout the summer, laying 

 from 40 to 60 or more eggs. Eggs may be removed from the 

 nest when the guinea hen is not sitting, but two or more eggs 

 must be left in the nest. 



"Ordinary hens are used commonly to hatch and rear guinea 

 chicks. The period of incubation is 28 days. Guineas are 

 marketed late in the summer, when they weigh one to one and 



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