Pheasants Rearing by Hand. 



27 



avoid the worry and disadvantage which would accrue were 

 the whole lot of hens turned off together, or were it 

 necessary to let out but two or three at a time, and, further- 

 more, the small limits of the pen preclude any unruly hen 

 from eluding capture when she seeks, intentionally or 

 otherwise, to allow her eggs to become cool. 



As will be seen, the hatching boxes are placed equi- 

 distant from one another at the back of the pen. They 

 may, with advantage, be of one or two descriptions. The 

 first (see Fig. 3) is easily made, and is simple in design. 



FIG. 3.-HATCHING BOX. 



It consists of a small run covered entirely with rat-proof wire 

 netting and a bottomless nest box. This is I5in. square 

 and i Sin. high, and it is desirable that it be sunk 3in. in the 

 ground, so that vermin cannot get underneath at the eggs, 

 and the nest is made on the soil and not on hay or other 

 lice-causing material. When the hen is sitting she can be 

 provided within the small run with water and food in case 

 she should desire it between meal times, and is thus able to 

 obtain it without having to stray about the pen, where there 

 is no wire guard. Some ashes or other suitable dusting 

 material may be placed in the run as well, but as the bottom 



