THE CARE OF PHEASANTS IN CAPTIVITY 213 



With the pheasant meal various ingredients are mixed, such as boiled egg, crissel, or 

 other meat meal, and some finely chopped green food, such as chickweed, groundsel, 

 chives or lettuce. Many breeders do not care for meat meal, and it is true that if fed in 

 too great proportion it has a tendency to scour the birds, especially if it has stood long. 

 It undoubtedly is beneficial, however, if used in proper quantities and with judgment. 

 Green food is probably not necessary when the birds are on range, but it certainly can 

 do no harm, and will ensure the young birds eating enough of this necessary item. For 

 the more delicate species animal food in more abundance is necessary, and this is usually 

 provided for the hardier birds, especially when on range, but will be found beneficial and 

 even necessary for many birds. 



The cheapest and one of the very best methods of procuring live food is in the 

 propagation of maggots. Many persons are opposed to these larvae, but there is no 

 doubt that they form a very valuable food if properly prepared. Young pheasants on 

 range, especially Ring-necks, are able to find a quantity of live food sufficient for their 

 needs, but even they, and certainly all birds in small quarters, are greatly benefited by a 

 judicious use of maggots. If these are allowed to live and feed for a good forty-eight 

 hours in dry bran, they are perfectly wholesome and can do no possible harm to the 

 young birds. It is safer to scald them before feeding, but they are often given while 

 still alive. It is the custom of many rearers to suspend meat about the field, allowing 

 the young pheasants to eat the maggots as they drop to the ground. This is, of course, 

 a very reprehensible habit, and doubtless has given rise to the condemnation of maggots 

 as pheasant food. 



THE REARING FIELD 



Light, loamy or sandy soil is best adapted for the rearing of pheasants, and good 

 drainage and a southern exposure should be secured if possible. The size of the field 

 must depend, of course, on the extent of the ground available, but the head of birds to 

 be reared should be governed by the field. Young pheasants cannot be overcrowded if 

 they are to do well. 



It is best to surround the field with poultry netting, to exclude foxes and dogs. If 

 fine wire can be run into the ground, it will keep out ground vermin, and a good 

 overhang will exclude rats. The field should be cultivated in the usual manner, and the 

 approved rotation of crops applied. Of course, on a small field, a simple ploughing or 

 spading will suffice, if grass seed is planted. The coops for the chicks should be placed 

 at good distances apart in the field in the midst of the crop, so that the young birds may 

 have room for foraging without interfering with their neighbours. 



As soon as the chicks are strong enough, the coop which served them as a nesting 

 house may be moved to the rearing field, where it will serve as a shelter for the growing 

 brood. If the range is sufficiently large to allow the hen to run at liberty, this may be 

 done after a few days. The chicks must be confined for three or four days in a small 

 run of wire or boards (the one which served for the hen will do very well, although 

 boards are better). They are very wild at first, and will leave the hen and hide in the 

 grass until they have become accustomed to her. On the other hand, if it is necessary to 

 confine her, it is easy to place slats on the door, or, better still, the door may be formed 



