Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 257, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1914 — POULTRY [ARTICLE]

POULTRY

FARM TURKEY RAISING. A Paying Business When Conducted With Intelligence. Turkeys need but little attention If kept away from fowls and ducks. Turkey farming pays best by itself. They lay their eggs in a secluded spot. A cement barrel laid op its side, with a brick each side to prevent from rolling, and a branch of a tree partially its entrance, is all they want to encourage them. It is best to permit the eggs to remain in the ndSt. The hen is usual—ly very cautious on entering and leaving the nest, and seldom breaks an egg, unless she has not had sufficient shell formers in her diet. See tnat she gets burnt dry oyster shells. Always provide the hen with an inviting spot of plenty of green grass for the nest. Too dry a nest often causes trouble from lack of moisture. Give the hen an opportunity to dust herself in a damp f spot; she will* get it , if-possible, and there will be little fear of dead chicks in the shell rnless breeding from immature birds is months is not the best. He should be at least two years old; likewise the hens. Above all, introduce fresh blood every second year. This is of great importance in raising turkeys for profit. Of one thing there can be no doubt—turkeys dJ best in fresh air and will not stand coddling. The adult birds usually find much of their own food; yet It is an absolute necessity to feed the flocks when natural foods are not available. When insect life is scarce, grass is of a poor quality and is also usually wet, the consequences is they scour and often die from the effects. Corn mdal and bran, one part each, with a fair amount of chopped-up boiled meat and, when available, a few slices of raw onions, all mixed with the ineat or other animal food has been boiled, should be used. Mix dry as possible. Turkeys do not thrive on slops. Curded milk is much relished and* is a spllSidid flesh former and a whitener of flesh. Nothing is more objectionable than a fat breast. Too much corn feeding or a constant supply of wheat will not improve the color of the flesh. Oats are by far the best grains to assist in keeping down fat. Always provide fresh clean water daily and keep the vessels out of the sun. Neglect in this regard will cause losses by disease, Add charcoal in case of bowel disorders. It is an absolute necessity in successful turkey raising. They must have an unlimited amount of grit, without which they suffer from indigestion. Small pebbles, coarse sand and broken crockery and smashed up burnt bone all aid in digesting their load. This is especially required,, previous to their going to roost. There is no necessity to boil any grain; they are better without it and prefer the hard food to that of a sloppy nature.—American Poultry Advocate.