QUAIL PROPAGATION METHODS 43 



Free Range. After the fourth or fifth day the young have 

 learned to obey the call of the hen, and they can be allowed 

 to run out at large, provided that the weather is good. They 

 are so small, however, that it is just as well to keep them 

 shut up the first week. Then they can be let out with 

 safety, for they will not desert the hen. 



The Hen. It is optional whether the hen shall be allowed 

 to wander with them, or remain shut up and the young run 

 back and forth through the slats. This is according to cir- 

 cumstances. If there are a nximber of broods in adjoining 

 coops, it is rather necessary to keep the hens shut up, as they 

 are Kable either to fight or to flock together, and mix the 

 broods or foul the ground. Where feasible, I should let the 

 brood out with the hen, as they will then range farther and 

 catch more insects. In large pheasantries it is customary 

 to let late broods roam with the hen in order to give them the 

 best chance to get strong and survive. 



Other Details. Fencing is unnecessary, provided that 

 there are no cats and dogs about, and that rats and other 

 vermin have been kept down. The coops can be scattered 

 about as convenient, in fields, on lawns, in openings at the 

 edge of shrubbery or groves, wherever it is fairly level and 

 grassy, and should be moved every other day. The hen will 

 not go very far, and will lead the young into the coop at 

 night or in case of hard showers. 



Whether the hen is at liberty or not, there should always 

 be some pile of brush, evergreen preferred, or clump of weeds 

 near the coop. The young love to hide, especially if alarmed, 

 and they must have shade on hot days. Moreover, a hiding- 

 place is a refuge from hawks or other dangers. If this is 

 provided they will stay better near the coop. 



Fenced Fields. If breeding operations are to be on any 

 considerable scale, it is best to have at least a couple of 



