1134 



Breeding and Bearing of Turkeys. [Mar., 



rearing is done by a hen. A hen coop may be large enough 

 for 7 or 8 young turkeys for the first week, but they outgrow this 

 long before it is time to remove the mother hen, and the larger 

 coop is not of sufficient size to accommodate the young birds 

 for very long after the hen is taken away. A small open fronted 

 chicken house is probably the most economical for the hen and 

 turkey chicks ; this affords ample shelter in bad weather for the 

 chicks, and the accommodation will suffice until the stage when 

 roosting in the open air will be the most satisfactory method, 

 provided there is no risk from foxes or other enemies. 



The risk from exposure to wet and cold winds is greatly reduced 

 after the turkeys have reached ten or twelve weeks old, and an 

 ample supply of fresh air in the sleeping quarters, if the provision 

 of these is found necessary, is of chief importance. Unless given 

 a wide range, from this stage onwards, the cost of feeding will 

 be heavy. Facilities for placing the birds upon the stubbles fol- 

 lowing harvest go a considerable way towards the making of a 

 good profit. In the past it was no uncommon practice for farmers 

 to buy young turkeys in the autumn for placing on the stubbles, 

 finishing them for the Christmas markets, and this proved very 

 profitable. The birds came chiefly from Ireland, but the im- 

 proved knowledge of the Irish rearers and better facilities for 

 marketing has induced them to market their produce first hand, 

 by which they reap greater benefit. Many birds of the finest 

 quality are now supplied from Ireland. 



Marketing. — It should be the chief aim of the producer to 

 secure the trade in the best quality of produce. The English 

 breeder is in a favourable position to market his turkeys in the 

 best possible condition, but will find a keen competitor in Nor- 

 mandy which sends turkeys of very fine quality to the English 

 market. The Irish turkey is undoubtedly the most formidable 

 rival of the English bird of second grade. Of recent years the 

 demand has been for smaller turkeys, and size to some extent 

 has become of secondary importance to quality. The levelling 

 of the price per lb. for large and small birds is an advantage to 

 the producer since it has effected the raising of the price per lb. 

 of the small to that of the larger bird. Even then, provided the 

 quality of the birds are equal, the smaller bird is better value to 

 the consumer. The increase in demand for the smaller birds is, 

 therefore, generally in favour of the growers as the per- 

 centage of very large birds is not high. Whether the trade 

 is in large or small birds, quality will have its effect upon the 

 orice secured, and it is to the interest of the producer to offer 

 birds of the best type. 



