\. PHEASANT REARING (PAKT IV} 81 



I always set my pheasant eggs in the coops after- 

 wards used for rearing. I find this is the simplest and 

 cheapest method, and it gives fuller hatchings and 

 healthier birds than ever result from the use of 

 nesting boxes. 



The eggs should be placed in artificially made 

 nests in the boxes or coops. Raise the nest off the 

 ground on a large sod of turf, so as to prevent the 

 hen and eggs being flooded in the event of heavy 

 rain. 



To make the nest, hammer a small round indenta- 

 tion in the cut turf with a broad mallet or smooth 

 stone, and line the hollow so formed with a twist of 

 fine hay. 



The nest requires some care in its formation ; if 

 too deep the eggs in its centre cannot be turned by 

 the hen, and eggs left unturned will not hatch. If, 

 however, the eggs are all in touch of the hen as she 

 she will rarely fail to roll them over from time 

 to time herself as she moves about. 



Place a few small hen eggs in each nest, then 

 introduce the broody hens, and if they sit tight, for 

 at least three days, you may remove the trial eggs 

 and substitute fresh pheasant eggs, fourteen to each 

 nest, doing this always in the evening. On no 

 account clap a hen down nolens vole us on a nest of 

 fresh eggs and take it for granted she will sit on 

 them. Try her first, if but for a couple of days. 



I prefer fourteen eggs to a sitting, as this allows 



II G 



