59 



Pheasants. 



chicks. The coops should be in position a day or two 

 before they will be occupied, as this gives time for any 

 excess of surface moisture to work off before the young 

 chicks tenant them. As mentioned at the end of the last 

 chapter, removal of the broods from the nesting-boxes 

 should take place twenty-four hours after the hatching 

 commences, as at this early period it is rather warmth than 

 food which is required for them. For the purposes of 

 removal proper carrying-boxes (Fig. n) must be provided 

 for the young chicks, so that they may not be chilled in the 



Fig. II. Carrying-Box for Pheasant Chicks. 



process. The broods being removed in batches of five or 

 six at a time, if there be any distance to be covered it is 

 advantageous to provide a suitable crate to take that 

 number of foster-hens, and carrying-boxes to contain the 

 corresponding number of broods. The latter should be 

 provided with a sliding lid, and some soft felt be placed 

 in the carrying-boxes, in which the compartments should 

 measure i2in. long by 4in. wide by pin. high, to accommo- 

 date clutches of fifteen chicks. Care must be taken that 

 no mistake is made in delivering the proper broods to the 



