6 w. cook's turkev, goose, and pheasant book. 



become firm. It should then be lined with fine hay A 

 turkey hen can be set on from seventeen to twenty eggs 

 easily if set carefully. A larger number can be put under 

 her, but it is always better to put one or two less than too 

 many. The first batch of turkey eggs should be put under 

 ordinary hens. A good-sized hen can take nine or eleven 

 turkey eggs very well. Hens will take great care of them. 

 If a turkey hen is put up in a large coop with bars to it, as 

 soon as she becomes broody, and is fed liberally, she will 

 soon come on to lay again. Then when she conies on 

 broody the second time, if the owner has a sufficient number 

 of eggs, set the turkey, but if not, set the hens, and the 

 former will lay another batch of eggs the same as before. 

 While sitting, a turkey hen should always be covered or put 

 in a dark place, and if she does not come off in the morning 

 to feed, she should be lifted off steadily, and have proper 

 food given her. Maize, barley, and dry rice are the best 

 grains for turkeys while they are sitting. 



If they are fed well they will sit two months if allowed. 



After a turkey hen has been sitting nine days the eggs 

 should be tested before a candle or lamp in the evening. 

 The best way is to hold the large end of the egg between 

 the thumb and finger and turn steadily round before the 

 light. If the eggs are fertile they will be very cloudy, and 

 a dark speck will be seen rather nearer the large end, but if 

 they are unfertile, the eggs will be quite clear. They are 

 very easy to test on the ninth day. Turkey eggs as a rule 

 take 27 or 28 days to hatch out, but they should be left till 

 the morning of the 29th day, because they may be a little 

 late in hatching out. 



