---------------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------+---------- | | Yearling | | | | Adult | cock (1 | Cockerel | Hen | Pullet Variety | cock (2 | year old | (less | (1 year | (less | years old | and less | than 1 | old or | than 1 | or over) | than 2) | year old) | over) | year old) ---------------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------+---------- | _Pounds_ | _Pounds_ | _Pounds_ |_Pounds_ | _Pounds_ Bronze | 36 | 33 | 25 | 20 | 16 White Holland | 33 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 14 Bourbon Red | 33 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 14 Narragansett | 33 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 14 Black | 33 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 14 Slate | 33 | 30 | 23 | 18 | 14 ---------------+-----------+----------+-----------+---------+---------- [Illustration: Figure 5.--Narragansett turkey, female.] SELECTING BREEDING STOCK The breeding stock is the foundation of the turkey industry, and the greatest care must be used in selecting both male and female breeders. Failure in this respect has undoubtedly been one of the principal reasons why satisfactory results have not been obtained on many farms and commercial plants. One of the first steps in improving conditions, therefore, is more careful selection of the breeding stock. The most satisfactory time of the year to select breeding stock is in November or December, especially before large numbers of turkeys are sold for the Thanksgiving and Christmas markets. Selecting birds early in the season makes possible a choice from a larger number and, what is more important, saves the best-developed and most vigorous birds for breeding instead of marketing them. New blood may be introduced into the flock or a beginning with turkeys may be made by obtaining hatching eggs, day-old poults, or breeding stock, but the purchase of eggs or poults is recommended. New breeding stock should be treated for worms and lice and should be quarantined for 2 or 3 weeks to detect any disease. [Illustration: Figure 6.--Black turkey, male.]