FARM POULTRY PROBLEMS 149 



Turkeys do not need extensive and expensive housing 

 facilities. The roosts should be put up under a shade tree 

 and should be several feet off the ground. Turkeys roost on 

 the limbs of trees, roofs of low buildings, and fences. 



During the day turkeys range over a large territory gather- 

 ing bugs, worms, fruit, and in the fall acorns. Usually turkeys 

 will come home to roost at about sunset. At this time supple- 

 mentary feed should be given them in the form of a wet mash 

 or a mixture of equal parts corn, oats, and wheat. 



Do not breed birds that are deformed, such as wry tail, 

 crooked toes or legs, crooked back, blindness, lameness, or 

 any defect or deformity likely to be inherited. 



It must be remembered that while the turkey breeders aim 

 at large size, yet the popular market demand, which is gov- 

 erned by the demand of the average American family, which 

 is not large in number of members contained in it, is from 9 to 

 18 pounds. A bird larger than this is too large for the average 

 family. 



One torn should be mated to not more than fifteen hens. 



A building 40 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 10 feet high will 

 accommodate 40 turkeys. 



DUCKS 



In selecting ducks for breeding purposes one should take 

 the most vigorous, best shaped, and heaviest birds. 



By selecting the largest specimens to breed from the rapidity 

 of growth of the young may be increased. The average weight 

 of the young duck grown for the broiler market, if properly 

 fed and cared for, should be about 6 pounds dressed at the end 

 of eleven weeks. 



A drake is considered at his best the first two years of his 

 life, while the duck should be over two years old for breeding 

 purposes. There should be one drake to every four or five 

 ducks. 



In determining the duck from the drake in the solid white, 

 one will note that the drake seldom quacks, but has a harsh 

 voice and is usually larger than the ducks. He is a trifle 

 coarser' about the head and neck, and has two feathers near 

 the base of the tail which curl up toward the head. 



