32 PRACTICAL PHEASANT REARING. 



between the string and the soft leather, obviating any 

 chance of entanglement ; and if the peg be cut with a 

 knob at the top, and a brass curtain ring run up it to 

 attach the cord to, all possibility of the hen winding 

 herself up to her peg is removed, the ring running 

 freely round the peg when the hen moves about whilst 

 feeding or dusting herself. A little bit of rock salt 

 within reach of every hen occasionally is, I really 

 believe, beneficial to their health, as it is to that of 

 most animals. 



A few hints as to the treatment of hens during the 

 winter, supposing that my reader keeps his own stock 

 throughout the year and has the house for their 

 accommodation, may very well be added to this 

 chapter. 



Hens should be kept in a warm place and not let 

 out in the day time during the bad months in wet 

 weather, for one good sound wetting will keep them 

 back for a fortnight. The dry cold, even in the 

 severest frost, if dry, is less injurious than even a 

 little wet in winter time ; if the feathers get wet in 

 our climate in winter or in short days, they do not get 

 dry for a long time, and this it is that spoils and kills 

 many of our fowls. In fact the protecting of the hens 

 in winter from the rain, has a material influence on the 

 rilling of the egg basket, and what is more important 

 to our purpose on their health and strength when 

 required for the incubation of the young pheasants. 



A movable house on wheels about two to three feet 



