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THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



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RAISING YOUNG PHEASANTS 



BY 



'GENE M. SIMPSON 

 Superintendent of the State Game Farm 



(Note — Last month we published an article entitled "Pheasant Farming," 

 by Mr. Simpson, which attracted considerable attention. This article is a 

 continuation of last month's article and will be found equally valuable to 

 those interested in pheasant propagation. On page ten, line nine, of last 

 month's issue an error was made in printing 130° instead of 103°. — Editor.) 



^When forty-eight hours old, the young pheasant may be fed sparingly 

 on hard-boiled eggs chopped fine with a little green onion tops, fresh- 

 ground lean meat crumbled with shorts or corn meal, and later dry chick 

 food, boiled rice and curd. A custard made of eggs and milk and cooked 

 in the usual manner is also an excellent food for young pheasants. 



There is no trouble about hatching pheasants. Feeding is the most 

 serious problem. Don't try to experiment with foods. After the pheasants 

 are a month old, feed the chopped meat rolled with shorts, as I have 

 described and gradually change to a wheat diet. A stalk of lettuce hung 

 in the pen so that they can reach it will be relished. A tuft of grass sod 

 will be a pleasing variety. A few fish worms or grasshoppers thrown 

 into the pen will be eagerly devoured. Pheasants, like chickens, require 

 grit. It is also a good plan to give them a little charcoal occasionally. 

 In short, the grown pheasant may be fed the same as a chicken, but 

 being insectivorous, meat, insects and worms given occasionally are 

 desirable additions to his menu. 



After the first year's experience you will be encouraged to branch 

 out, and rear pheasants on a larger scale; and if you have any love for 

 birds, and particularly if there is any blood of the sportsman in your 

 veins, you will surely enjoy raising pheasants. It is a most interesting 

 occupation and the little time you will give to it will amply repay you in 

 the pleasure you receive. 



THE BEST FOOD FOR PHEASANT CHICKS 



The most successful method of feeding young pheasants is with the 

 larvae of the common blue fly (maggots). When this food is used, nothing 

 else need be fed except greens occasionally until the birds are a month old. 

 However, the chick food or cracked wheat should be kept before them 

 that they may learn to eat it and be prepared to adapt themselves to the 

 whole wheat diet when the larvae food has been discontinued, which 

 should be done gradually. 



The objection to the larvae food is the offensive odor ordinarily 

 associated with it. This may be overcome by raising the larvae scientific- 

 ally. Contrary to the commonly accepted idea, the larvae of the fly prefer 

 fresh to decaying meat. 



If the following method is employed, there will be little or no odor. 

 Secure a quantity of green bone and meat trimmings coarsely ground 



Faff* ten 



