=^^ 



35 



CHAPTER VIII 



Locating Broods in Rearing Field 



We left our beginner in pheasant breeding in the midst of the transfer 

 of his hatch to the place selected for rearing, in order to treat adequately 

 the selection and preparation of the rearing field; the foster mothers were 

 placed in coarse sacks, the chicks in a basket and the start had been made 

 for the home selected for the interesting newcomers. We will assume 

 that the New York type of coop (Figure 5) has been selected. The pro- 

 cedure is as follows: 



THE PROCEDURE.— There should have been previously provided 

 one coop more than necessary to accommodate the seven hens which were 

 employed in incubating the 105 eggs that were put down, making the 

 total number of coops eight. This eighth coop, before the first hatched 

 chicks were taken off should have been placed on the site determined on 

 for rearing purposes, facing the direction which will afford the greatest 

 amount of shade for its front, unless the weather be particularly cool. 

 The northwest is the direction which will usually give this condition. Mr. 

 Dunn faces his rearing coops south, using the "shutter" previously men- 

 tioned for shading them if the sun gets too hot. Having located the coop, 

 trample the grass within it well and uproot any long blades. Also, pull 

 up the grass from a small space directly in front of the coop in order that 

 the chicks may better see the food that will be thrown to them there. 

 Be sure that there is no space about the bottom of the coop that will 

 permit the chicks to escape. 



FRAME RUN IN FRONT OF COOP.— Next place in front of the 

 coop the board run or frame (Figure 6-A). This is employed on both the 

 New Jersey and New York Farms and is made of J^-inch stuff. It is 2 

 feet wide, 3 feet long and 1 foot high, and is braced at the closed end with 

 two strips nailed diagonally across the top at the closed end of the run. 

 Fasten securely the slat in front of the coop (New York type) that was 

 kept loose during the incubation period in order to give the hen ingress 

 from the wire run in front of the coop when she had finished feeding, and 

 all will be ready for the reception of the hen and her brood. Place the hen 

 and chicks in the coop, the chicks being put in first, in one corner. Place 

 the door in front of the coop and thus bar egress. The first feed is given 

 as soon as the chicks cease brooding and commence to search for food. 

 Mr. Rogers places the first feed inside the coop but most breeders put it 

 immediately outside unless the ground is wet. The chicks are allowed 



