How to Raise Turkeys.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2093, 5 December 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

How to Raise Turkeys.

PKAIKIi: I'AitMblt. To be</in with, restrain your desire to count your young tuike\s and let them alone, for iihe in Hi, twcnty-foiii hours niter they get into tins "cold and unfeeling" vroild. At the cxpiiation of tlmt time they will be »|uito ntrong and decidedly hungry ; remove them to n clean, airy, roomy coop, and give thorn their first meal— ouly it mustn't be meal at all — but boiled eggs, Btale wheat, bread crumbs just moistened with milk or water, " Dutch " cheese, or a mixture of all these. For the first two weeks feed entirely with the eggs, bread, curds, cooked rice, and •ooked cornraeal ; and from that on they may b« given any cooked food that would bo suitable for chickens of the same age. Sea&on all food slightly with salt and pepper, and twice a week odd a level teftspoonful of bone meal to a pint of feed. Never feed any sour food or sloppy food of any kind, except sour milk, and never feed any uncooked food of any kind until after they have thrown out the red on their heads. Feed often, five or six times a day, until they are three months old : then, if insects are numerous, you may gradually reduce the number of meals per day to three, or even tyro. After they me three months old, they may be given wheat, cracked corn, etc., but no whole com until they are some flvo months old. Keep tho crops dry and clean and the turkeys out of the dew and rains until they are fully feathered, and hare thrown out ihe red. Dampness and filth will kill young turkeys ns surely as a dose of poison. For the first few day* confine the poults tj the limits of the coop and safety run ; then, if all appear strong and well, give the mother hen and her brood liberty on pleasant days after the dew is off. If they get caught oat in a shower, get them to shelter as toon as possible ; and if they are chilled take them to the house and thoroughly dry and warm them. See that the turkeys come home every night. A lien mother wilt come homo at night-fall, but the turkey mother must, for the first few night*, be hunted up and driven home. After they are three months old, turkeys are quite hardy, and may be allowed range at all times. If turkeys arc well cared for, and have always seemed all right, show signs of drooping when about six weeki or two months old, give Douglas mixture in the drink or food, and add a little cooked meat to the food once a day.