TURKEY-FARMING IN A DESERT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3139, 16 October 1922, Page 7

TURKEY-FARMING IN A DESERT.

On a ranch near Barstow, California, in the heart of the Mo.jave Desert, is an immense Flock of wild tnrke.ys that promises to make its owner rich. Seys a writer in Conquest (London'): — '•There are about 500 birds, the res'lllt of a singular experiment which proved' a surprising success. Mr M. A. Stutsman, a I,os Fngoles lawyer, conceived! the idea lour years ago that wild turkeys could bo raised at slight cost because they are able to forage lor themselves, lb' obtained eggs from nests in Virginia, and put bens on tbe hatching job. Fortune was with him. Each egg yielded a lively cltfek, and lus flock grew apace. The. birds quickly became accustomed' lo their new surroundings, and were extremely hardy and healthy. The second year Mr Stutsman raised (50 bens, and kept them ail lor breeding purposes. 'the third year there was an astonishing increase, and in I','li' be produced 1500 birds for the market. So large is the Hock now. and so tame the birds, that the herding i- like that of a Hock' of •-beep. Coyotes, eagles, hawks and snakes must be guarded against, and 1 the turkeys restrained from rambling, too many miles away. In this work the owner is greatly assisted by Ins dogs, line tollies bred to police the ranch and light oil' enemies. They encircle and turn and drive the herd' with amazing intelligence. The birds differ little from the domestic species except in that they are smaller ami more active. They lly like pheasants when alarmed, and with a mighty (lirring of wings. The cock birds will light each oilier literally to the death, and are proud and haughty. The turkeys hatch from .March Ist to June Ist. and are prolific, a. hen laying .'>() to :i.j eggs a season."