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The Illustrated Book of Poultry . 
so. In default of the dandelion, lettuce and onions chopped fine form the best substitute. 
Dryness and cleanliness are however the chief requisites in turkey-rearing so far as prevention 
of deaths is concerned. 
It seldom answers to try and induce turkeys to roost with other fowls. What they require, or 
rather do best with, is a high perch in some lofty shed or barn, which if entirely open in front is all 
the better. They should have, in fact, as much liberty and space in all respects as can be afforded. 
As a rule the turkey-hen lays about eighteen or twenty eggs ; and it is therefore best to give 
the first six or seven — which is as many as she can cover — to a common hen, when the remainder 
will probably be about enough for the Turkey herself. The period of incubation is about twenty- 
eight days ; though sometimes the eggs will hatch in twenty-seven, and we have known hatching 
delayed as long as thirty. The turkey-hen is a model of steadiness as a sitter ; indeed, she sits so 
closely that unless many birds were removed by hand they would stay upon the nest and starve ; 
this should therefore be done daily. The hen is, however, jealous and prudish, and hence none but 
the regular attendant should be allowed to go near her. The way in which this passionate desire 
to sit is taken advantage of in France we have described in a previous chapter. We may add that 
it is particularly desirable to mark turkey eggs set under the natural mother, as she frequently 
lays several after commencing incubation. She will often attempt to steal her nest, but may 
almost always be induced to sit in the turkey-house without any difficulty, by shutting her upon 
the nest the first day, and only allowing her to come off within the house itself for the first time, 
after that she will usually come back to the nest and eggs provided for her ; but should always 
be watched to see she does not range away too far. It is well to give the nest a good cleaning the 
day but one before hatching, carefully removing any dung or feathers, besides the application of 
sulphur advised by Mr. Simpson. The hen should not again be disturbed or lifted off till hatching 
is completed, but food and water left within her reach. 
The hard-boiled egg-diet for the first week is important, turkey chicks having a tendency to 
diarrhoea, which is thus checked. It is better, indeed, for that space of time to add nothing to the 
egg but minced dandelion leaves, or if they cannot be had, boiled nettles chopped fine. After that, 
bread-crumbs, barley-meal, and oatmeal may be gradually added, with occasionally some boiled 
potato, or small grain ; but grain must never form the staple of the diet till older. Curds squeezed 
dry from the whey may be given in almost any quantity. They are easily prepared by adding a veiy 
little alum to warm milk. The weather will, however, cause most anxiety, as both rain and cold 
biting winds must be carefully guarded against. A very large weather-tight coop for the hen, with 
the back turned to the wind, and a raised wooden floor covered with dry earth, will do in fine 
weather ; but a spacious shed with a dry floor, open to the south, and a grass plot in front mown 
short, is much better. When a month old the hen may be allowed her liberty on fine days, and 
will generally find sufficient shelter herself from any merely passing shower. 
Sometimes turkey chicks are very stupid when first hatched, not seeming to know how to peck. 
The best plan we know of to meet this difficulty is to put a few common hen’s eggs under the hen 
about the seventh day of incubation, so as to hatch out at the same time as the turkey chicks. 
These little youngsters will be sharp enough, and by their example teach the duller turkey chicks 
how to feed. We may also remark that nearly, if not quite, all kinds of pulse, such as peas, tares, 
&c., are very injurious to turkeys of any age, and should be kept from their food. 4 his precaution 
is specially necessary if pigeons are kept, which are so fond of this very kind of diet. 
In a state of nature the turkey-cock seeks to destroy the eggs and chickens during the 
processes of incubation and rearing. Many domestic birds evince the same instinct ; which in that 
case must of course be duly guarded against by shutting up the offender, or at least secluding him 
