550 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



and if one wishes to obtain a second clutch of eggs, it is not diffi- 

 cult to break her of broodiness, whereupon she will soon start 

 laying again. The first clutch of eggs may either be sold or 

 placed under chicken hens to be hatched. The eggs should be 

 gathered as promptly as possible and stored in a clean, cool 

 place. They should not be kept too long, for their vitality de- 

 preciates rapidly. The poult issuing from the egg that is set 

 within a few days of its being laid is noticeably sturdy. 



As a rule i8 eggs are sufficient for a turkey hen to cover 

 properly, and lo eggs for the chicken hen to manage. If more 

 than these are placed under the birds there is danger of the eggs 

 being chilled at times, and poor hatches will result. Before set- 

 ting the hen dust her thoroughly with a lice-expelling powder, 

 also the nest and nesting material. This will prevent trouble 

 from lice or mites, either of which may cause the hen to desert 

 her nest. When the hatch is ready to come off the hen and nest 

 should be dusted for the second time. Nothing is more fatal to 

 turkey health than parasites. 



Eternal vigilance should be the watchword. When the little 

 ones droop search for vermin, and be satisfied with only the 

 closest scrutiny. Vermin is responsible for some of the greatest 

 losses. How the turkeys become infested is sometimes an 

 enigma — from coops, from other poultry, from sparrows — despite 

 the best care these pests will put in an appearance, and a vig- 

 orous campaign against them is necessary. Poults so afflicted 

 will sicken and die as though stricken with some wasting 

 disease. In fact, the poor little things are frequently dosed 

 internally with medicine, when their dire need is an insect 

 powder. 



From 27 to 29 days aire required to hatch turkey eggs, depend- 

 ing upon their freshness, weather conditions and the devotion of 

 the hen in charge. During this time she should not be disturbed 

 in any way. If frightened or driven from the nest the hen is 

 apt to abandon the eggs entirely-. Some hens will rear two 

 broods in a season, and while the late-hatched brood will not 

 mature early enough to meet the demand of roasters, nor are 



