TURKEY NESTS 



549 



more practical than barrels laid on their sides and blocked to 

 keep them from rolling, and lined on the bottom with sod cov- 

 ered with straw or hay for nesting material. Sugar barrels 

 answer the purpose nicely; they are easy to handle, and not only 

 make an excellent protection from cold winds and rains, but hot 

 days as well. Later, when the brood is hatched a board may be 



Fig. 332. — Combination chicken and squab farm in New Jersey. 



nailed to the lower end so that the little turkeys cannot start to 

 roam at too tender an age. 



Turkeys usually commence laying about the first of April, 

 and the earlier the eggs can be hatched after the middle of May 

 the longer the period of growth before the first holiday demand. 

 Six months at least are required to bring them to a profitable 

 marketable size, yet If their environment and feeding are cor- 

 rect this can be readily done. 



The hen will lay from 15 to 20 eggs before becoming broody, 



