VIT. PHEASANT REARING (PART VI) 117 



THE SIXTH WEEK TO THE TIME THE BIRDS ARE SHOT 



One feed, of barley, two feeds of crushed, or, as it 

 is termed, split Indian corn up to ten weeks (it need 

 not after the birds are eight weeks old be boiled to 

 soften it, but may in very dry weather be steeped for 

 a short time in fresh water), afterwards whole or un- 

 crushed small Indian corn varied with barley and 

 wheat twice a day, morning and evening. Up to the 

 age of ten weeks continue to give the birds one feed a 

 day of scalded meal (Indian and barley meal only), 

 egg, rabbit, and lettuce ; after ten weeks the pheasants 

 should be well grown and able to forage for themselves, 

 and gather enough insect and green food to take the 

 place of the meat and lettuce hitherto supplied by 

 hand. 



A feed of dari seed may be given twice a week ; 

 this is capital food to keep the birds at home ; they 

 are devoted to it, and it is not expensive 16s. a bag 

 of 200 Ibs. 



I have said nothing about * rice ' for feeding young 

 pheasants, as I have purposely described as simple 

 and yet as reliable a course of diet as possible. If, 

 however, your birds are a little off their feed allow 

 them some rice as a change. Rice is a very cooling 

 food, and excellent to give in hot dusty weather on a 

 dry light soil ; it is also economical, as the proportion 

 of chopped egg may be curtailed when rice is added 

 to the usual food. Give the best cooking rice only 



