Seeing the turkey year through - Janice Houghton-Wallace concludes with advice on looking after the adult birds
	IT will only take a week or two for young poults to acclimatise to being outside, especially if the weather is kind. The sun on their backs does them a power of good - as well as being a source of Vitamin D and helping to promote smooth feathering - and they will revel in running around and playing in the grass. Always have them housed though before the evening starts to cool. With a broody turkey hen, if it does get cool during the day, she will soon order them under her and brood them to keep warm. However, to be fair to her usher them back into the housing in good time so that she does not start to get too concerned. I had a Bourbon Red broody hen once that always started to call me when she thought it was time to take them indoors.
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	Hens in hot weather - Francine Raymond gives tips to help keep your chickens cool
	ALTHOUGH weather patterns are less predictable nowadays, we can usually be sure of at least one really hot spell during high summer. Poultry don't thrive in hot weather, and my old ladies often bow out during the summer holidays, so care must be taken to provide a shady spot for your flock during heatwaves.

	The patter of tiny turkey feet
	ONCE the decision has been made to keep some turkeys, how they are obtained then needs to be addressed.

	How different are Call Ducks?
	LIVE birds at shows were a nineteenth century innovation. Birds became part of the great exhibitions, part and parcel of the showcase of the imperial world. Game cocks were removed from the cockpit (cockfighting became illegal in 1849) and, although cold carcasses of poultry were still on show, so too were the live, feathered birds.

Nutrition and common sense

DOMESTIC chickens are typically fed commercially prepared feeds that include a protein source, vitamins, minerals and fibre. This usually takes the form of crumbs, pellets or mash but, although there may be certain exceptions, generally all types of poultry also benefit from the addition of mixed corn in their diet.

	Egg showing is no yoke!
	THERE are many poultry keepers who never consider exhibiting their birds but enjoy great pleasure from showing the eggs that their hens have laid. Some readers might be surprised but I can assure them that egg showing is taken very seriously and anyone thinking of joining these exhibitors will receive a warm hearted welcome.

	Becoming a new turkey owner
	DECIDING on which breed of turkey to buy can be difficult as there are more than people generally realise. The Norfolk Black, the oldest breed originating in the UK, should be coal black all over, with no hint of other colour in the feathering.
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	Hatching waterfowl eggs
	IS the incubation temperature for waterfowl the same as for chickens?
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	Venturing into the world of turkeys
	TURKEYS are magnificent birds that are relatively easy to keep and once you have some around you will become truly smitten. However, before you purchase some do consider your neighbours, for sometimes the birds can be quite vocal.
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	Layers spring into action
	WINTER time is now hopefully on its way out and we are looking forward to spring and a productive new year is always on our minds. During the winter egg production drops quite rapidly due to the shorter days, the moult and the general temperature. What we all need now, including the hens, is a boost to get us back on track.
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