CHAPTER VI. 
MANAGEMENT OF PHEASANTS IN CONFINEMENT. 
& 
ys ae FORMATION OF PENS AND AVIARIES. 
H “ AVING treated of pheasants as wild birds, their rearing and 
management in enclosed pens and aviaries have next to be 
W@ considered. When pheasants are bred for turning out into the 
‘ coverts, and not as merely ornamental aviary birds, the system 
" of movable enclosures, constructed of rough hurdles, will be found 
far superior to any more elaborate contrivances, for, when the 
=; breeding birds are kept in the same place year after year, the 
> ground becomes, in spite of all the care that may be bestowed on 
it, foul and tainted, disease breaks out even amongst the old birds, 
@ and the successful rearing of young ones is nearly hopeless. 
The pens should be situated in a dry situation, sandy or chalky if 
possible, but any soil not retentive of wet will answer. If the surface is sloping 
it is to be preferred, as the rain is less likely to render the ground permanently 
damp. Although cold is not injurious to the mature birds, and they require no 
special shelter, the south side of a hill or rising ground is to be chosen in 
preference, as the young stock are delicate. Common wattled hurdles, made seven 
feet long, and set up on end, make as good pens as can be desired; they should 
be supported by posts or fir poles driven firmly into the ground, with a horizontal 
pole at the top, to which the hurdles are bound by tarred cord, or, still better, 
very stout flexible binding wire, which should also be used to secure them together 
at top and bottom. The posts should be inside the pen, as better calculated to 
resist any pressure from without. 
The hurdles should rest on the ground without any opening below, and if 
they are sunk three or four inches below the surface, the pens will be more 
‘ secure against dogs and foxes or any animals likely to scratch their way under. 
The size of these pens should be as large as convenient; for a cock and three to 
five hens—the utmost number that should be placed together—as many hurdles 
