THE CARE OF PHEASANTS IN CAPTIVITY 209 



numbered. Where pheasants are on large ranges, they may be given small quantities 

 of corn with safety, and in the winter months a handful two or three times weekly will 

 help ward off the cold. But during the warm months, aviary pheasants certainly are 

 better off without it. 



The important point in grain-feeding is to allow the birds just what they will eat 

 and no more. Some persons never acquire the ability to judge this amount with any 

 reasonable degree of accuracy, but others are able to do so with a little practice. These 

 details point the difference between a good gamekeeper and a poor one. 



Some breeders feed their birds from stationary lappens, particularly when on range. 

 This system, however, certainly is not to be recommended, as over-fed pheasants soon 

 become indolent and sluggish, with disastrous results. 



Pheasants will be found to do well on a simple grain feed once daily, with some 

 soft mixture substituted two or three times weekly. Many breeders advocate feeding 

 twice daily — a morning meal of grain with a mash in the evening. If this method is 

 followed, both meals must be very scant, or the birds will soon become too fat. 



Spratt's Game Food makes a good and convenient soft food. It must be well 

 scalded and allowed to absorb just enough water to swell it, without becoming too soft. 



During the laying season it is well to give the breeding birds a daily feed of mash. 

 Equal parts of barley meal, bran and alfalfa make a good combination, to which may be 

 added a small quantity of corn meal in the mixture — but it has all of the harmful 

 tendencies of the white grain, and must be used sparingly if at all. Alfalfa meal is a 

 wonderfully good food and is of great value in feeding pheasants. It should be 

 thoroughly scalded and allowed to stand for a while before mixing. It then swells 

 considerably and is at its best. 



Crissel must not be soaked for too long a time before mixing, as it soon begins to 

 decompose, once it has become thoroughly wet. It must be given sparingly at first, as 

 it will scour the birds until they are accustomed to it. All mashes should be scalded, 

 and given in a crumbly state. The proper consistency is easily obtained after very little 

 experience in mixing. 



Green food is essential to pheasants at all times. During the breeding season this 

 is generally supplied by the turf on which the cage is placed. If this is not the case, 

 finely chopped grass, chickweed, groundsel, chives, lettuce, cabbage, etc. may be 

 furnished. Grass should always be finely cut, as the birds will swallow very long blades, 

 if given, which are apt to become impacted in the crop. For the winter months most 

 breeders put aside a store of cabbage, which will last the birds until spring. Mangels, 

 turnips and similar vegetables are relished by the birds and make valuable additions to 

 their fare. 



Good sharp grit must be provided at all times. Fine quartz is excellent for purely 

 grinding purposes. Pulverized oyster shells soon wear smooth, and are therefore of 

 little value for crushing food, but they contain a very large percentage of easily- 

 assimilated lime, and therefore should be constantly before the birds. Fine charcoal is 

 an excellent purifier and should be used with the grit. Special boxes are sold for 

 charcoal and grit, and any amateur carpenter can easily construct his own. 



Water is a far more important item than is supposed by many. It should never be 

 placed in the direct rays of the sun and should be changed at least once daily. The 



