6; Pheasants. 



The foster-hens should be fed and watered at the same 

 time as the chicks receive their first and last meal of the 

 day. 



In laying emphasis upon the absolute necessity of 

 extreme cleanliness and foresight at this very early 

 period of pheasant life, I do so with the conviction that 

 it is at this time that the seeds of disease enteritis, cramps, 

 and gapes are most likely to be sown in the bodies of the 

 young pheasants. Do not commence to exercise this care 

 and attention only when the stock is " making nice 

 young birds," for it is then often too late to prevent the 

 malady. Upon having the birds strong and healthy from 

 the very start and keeping them so depends the success 

 of the whole season's work. 



Every rearing-field should have its hospital, away from 

 the field and away from any hatching-nests. For the 

 purpose select one or more foster -hens, and give them a 

 few chicks to look after. Hens which have hatched out 

 reserve broods will do for this purpose. Then whenever 

 a sick or an ailing chick is seen, take it away at once from 

 its own brood and transfer it to the hospital for separate 

 observation and treatment. Better to lose a dozen or two 

 this way than to run the risk of contaminating a whole field. 

 If any of the chicks in the rearing-field die, take them 

 right away and burn them, unless it is desired to open them 

 and investigate. If the rearer knows enough of the in- 

 ternal economy of pheasant chicks to make this investiga- 

 tion, he should do it away from everything, at the same 

 time taking care to disinfect himself before returning to his 

 charges. If they are to be sent away to competent 

 authorities for investigation, adopt the same precautions, 

 because the rearer may carry the infection from coop to 

 coop and field to field just as easily as if a lot of infected 

 birds were set running riot amongst the healthy ones. 



F 2 



