CHAPTER VI. 



PHEASANTS: Hand-rearing. Coops and Runs. The Rear- 

 ing-Field. Transfer of the Poults to Covert. Disposal in 

 the Coverts. 



THE care and rearing of the young chicks must now com- 

 mand attention. I shall not, however, treat of the question 

 of their food and feeding at the present stage, but devote 

 an entirely separate chapter to these matters. 



The best type of coop to employ for rearing young 

 pheasants is a subject upon which game-rearers generally 

 appear to have agreed to differ. Every style and type, 

 from extensively provided coops and runs to the simplest 

 forms (Fig. 6), have been advocated for adoption as alone 

 contributing to success. The matter, however, lies upon a 

 simple basis, which has the nature and the position of the 

 ground as the chief points to influence it ; whilst the 

 amount of labour available, and the possible attacks from 

 vermin furred and feathered may be regarded as 

 secondary points bearing upon the subject. Wherever it 

 be possible, the simpler, in reason, the form of coop adopted 

 the better, but it is necessary that a certain adequate 

 quantity of suitable runs should be provided (Fig. 7). 

 Under normal circumstances, when it is possible continu- 

 ously to watch the coops by night and by day, the simpler 

 form of coop proves abundantly serviceable. The actual 

 type does not, however, matter very much, provided it 



E 2 



