m^^ 



Figure 5. — Incubating coops employed on New York State Game Farms shown 

 in actual use. From 500 to 1,000 eggs are usually put under hens at one 

 time, 20 eggs to each hen. 



hundred eggs, 105 to be exact, will require 7 setting hens. If our beginner 

 has that number, he will be fortunate and it is, of course, good practice to 

 encourage all hens that become broody to continue in that state while the 

 first batch of pheasant eggs is accumulating by placing a few eggs of 

 domestic fowl under them, so that they will be ready when the time comes 

 to place the pheasant eggs under them. 



POINTS ABOUT SETTING HENS.— It is not unlikely, however, 

 that the breeder will have to call on his neighbors to help out with setting 

 hens. These rules are to be observed if such is the case: 



1. Always procure your hens at night. 



2. Never tie their legs, but confine them in a box or loosely-woven 

 sack, one sack to each hen being best. 



3. Have your nests prepared, placing a few eggs of domestic hens in 

 each, prior to going forth on the hunt for setting hens and place the hens 

 thereon as soon as you return, dusting them four or five days after they 

 have been placed on the nest thoroughly with pyrethrum, sometimes 

 called Persian powder. (Dusting will be explained in detail a little later.) 



4. Never employ a hen with feathers on her legs nor one afflicted with 

 scaly leg. The former harbor vermin and the latter will communicate the 

 disease to the pheasant chicks. Detailed information regarding scaly leg 

 is contained in the chapter on Disease and Its Prevention. 



5. Try out your hens for two or three days before placing pheasant 

 eggs under them, 



