Or the Rearing and Management of Poultry, 



191 



the latter soon pecks vv^itli facility : on this account it is very re- 

 commendable to have two or three of them in every brood of the 

 former, so that they, by force of example, learn to peck much 

 sooner. This is accomplished by placuig two or three fowl's eggs 

 beneath the turkey at the end of the seventh day of incubation. 

 The food we have found answer best consists of equal portions 

 of oatm.eal and the crumbs of white bread, mixed with a little 

 boiling water, a light-boiled egg, and a considerable quantity of 

 the leaves of the dandelion chopped sm.all. This mixture should 

 be given very frequently in small quantities on a clean floor. 

 The reason why we have recommended the leaves of the dande- 

 lion before parsley, nettles, &c., is conclusive. A person I had 

 in my service (with abilities and acquirements far beyond her 

 sphere) had observed that turkeys when running about always 

 devoured with avidity the leaves of this plant ; and she, accord- 

 ingly, determined to try the experiment of mixing it with the 

 food for the turkey chicks, and such was her success, that during 

 the whole time (5 years) she was with us she never lost one chick. 

 And, moreover, when they were disposed of, they were not only 

 equal but superior to all others in the market. This person being 

 a great economist, always restricted herself to two eggs for one 

 brood. She was also most assiduous in her duties, never allowing 

 them to be exposed to a single drop of rain if it were possible to 

 prevent it, until she was pretty certain they were old enough to 

 bear it. About twice a week she gave them buttermilk to drink 

 (always giving it them in very shallow vessels) ; at other times she 

 gave them water or curds, than which nothing can be better. 

 They should be made fresh every day. She gradually discontinued 

 the use of oatmeal and the crumbs by substituting for them, at 

 first, a small quantity of barley-meal, and increasing it until the 

 chicks were eight or nine weeks old, at which age the oatmeal 

 was left off. A boiled potato, moderately warm, should occa- 

 sionally be given. 



Undoubtedly the greatest obstacle to the profitable rearing of 

 turkeys in our climate is dampness. It is therefore of the utmost 

 importance to have the house in which they are kept thoroughly 

 dry — never allow them to go out when it rains, or when there is 

 any dew ; — these rules must be strictly enforced until the chicks 

 are nine or ten weeks old, at which age their backs will be found 

 sufEciently well covered with feathers to withstand a shower of 

 rain ; still at this age they should not be too much exposed. Intense 

 sunshine should all this time be guarded against. 



Some turkey cocks trample the chicks to death, while others are 

 proud of their young offspring ; it is therefore necessary to watch 

 the movements of the cock when first introduced to his family, 

 and should a want of paternal affection be displayed he must be 



