Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1875 — How to Raise Turkeys. [ARTICLE]

How to Raise Turkeys.

As this question has recently been asked in a number of papers, I will endeavor to answer it. In the first place select a good kind. If they are two or three years old so much the better. Turkeys do not attain their greatest vigor till two or three years old. Next, take good care of the eggs. These should be gathered as soon as possible after they are laid in the nest. Keep them in a cool, dry place, between layers of cot-ton-batting or flannel-cloth, and carefully turned over every day or every other day. Turkeys, when sitting, as well as hens, turn their eggs over often. Test the eggs by applying the tip of the tongue to the large end of the egg. It the egg is warm it will be sure to hatch. If not, reject it. All people do not know that the small end of a good egg is cold, while a perceptible warmth is at the large end. Confine the turkeys a few days before they commence laying. An old barn or shed is best. Then, after they have made their nests, there will be Jjttle danger of their roaming. Feed the young birds on bread and sweet milk for a few days, with a little sprinkling of pepper. Be sure and avoid salt. When about one week old feed the young turkeys on curd made of sour or loppered milk. If corn meal is fed it ought to be cooked first. Very much depends on taking care of the eggs. One year I sat forty eggs, and raised but one turkey. The next year I sat the same number, after taking care of them, and raised thirty-nine turkeys.—Cor. N. Y. Herald.