Causes of Degeneracy . 
5 2 3 
than moderate-sized ones. As very finely grown turkeys command almost any price, the object 
of a breeder is to obtain such parent stock as will ensure the majority of the poults to be thus 
unexceptionable. Adults must form the brood stock, and every approach to wry-backs or wry- 
breasts must be discarded altogether as worthless. 
« But there is still another failing in turkeys when dressed for the table far more objectionable 
than even a wry-breast, viz., the so-called ‘ short-breasted ’ bird, thus named by poulterers from 
the fact that the keel of the breast-bone rarely measures above four inches in length, and 
sometimes barely as much as that. It is a strange coincidence that these ‘ short-breasted ’ birds 
are frequently very heavily laden with fat on the back and thighs, far beyond those daily receiving 
the same care, and running with them, but are almost unsaleable ; and I know this malformation 
is usually hereditary.” 
There can be no doubt that it is to the neglect of such reasoning as this, and the continual 
breeding from small and weakly specimens, that the degeneracy in size and constitution of the 
Norfolk Turkey was owing; and we owe much to American breeders for showing us what can be 
done by skill and care in producing birds beautiful to the eye, and even coming up to the 
requirements of a “ fancier,” yet surpassing in size our own strains. Something is no doubt owing 
to the fact that the gobblers are often not allowed to run with the hens, many breeders keeping 
no gobbler at all, but sending their hens to a neighbour, as it is found that one fecundation fertilises 
a whole batch of eggs. Of this there is no doubt whatever ; but we entertain a strong suspicion 
that the chicks thus produced are not equal in vigour to those bred on farms where the hens are 
left in company with the male, and should rather be disposed to recommend the permanent mating 
of a fine cock with a dozen or fifteen hens. The fact that with a greater number the stock is apt 
to prove weakly is itself strongly in favour of such a supposition. 
Much of the alleged delicacy of young turkeys is also no doubt owing to the degeneracy of 
the strain ; the produce of an American cross being always found much more hardy. It is, 
however, quite true that during the earlier weeks, and before the young birds “ shoot the red,” as 
it is expressively called, or develop the red carunculated protuberances about the neck and throat, 
they are peculiarly susceptible to wet, so that even one good wetting will perceptibly thin a large 
brood. After that period is passed, however, they become daily more hardy, so that they will 
roost in trees during winter, if permitted, without any injury, unless unusually severe frost may 
cause frost-bitten toes. The period of danger being thus limited, it is well worth while to take 
special care while it lasts. Special and ample shelter should therefore be provided, and if the hens 
are at liberty they should be driven under it on the approach of a shower ; by which means, if well 
fed, the dangers of infancy may be warded off. For a period of one to three weeks — depending on 
the weather — the hen should always be confined, the turkey chicks being, however, allowed to run 
out on the grass during dry days. Such management, with plenty of good meal as food, will bring 
the chicks on with little difficulty. Many farmers feed only on grain after a week or two, but on 
such diet the young birds never grow large, and rarely show good constitutions. 
There is another thing to be remarked. Many careful observers have recorded that, when 
given the option, turkeys seem to prefer the leaves of the dandelion to any other green food, and 
it has been found that such leaves, liberally given, conduce greatly to the health and vigour of the 
broods. The well-known medicinal properties of this plant (employed in medicine under the name 
of Taraxacum ) both as a tonic and alterative, make these effects easily understood ; and it is 
therefore well worth while to encourage the growth of the dandelion wherever turkeys are reared 
This object, as gardeners well know, is only too easily attained in most places; but even if 
necessary to scatter a few heads of seed over small patches of ground, it will pay well to do 
