PHEASANT RAISING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
33 
be used to vary the diet as the chicks approach maturity. In Avet or 
cold weather a little pepper in the food is beneficial at all stages, and 
at the age of five weeks, when the full strength of the young pheasant 
is demanded for growing feathers, a little tonic solution of sulphate 
of iron added to the water daily has been tried with good effect. 
As before stated, however, the change of food and the proportions 
in which different ingredients are combined must be determined 
largely by the judgment and experience of the one in charge of the 
birds. The nature of the locality, the character of the season, the 
abundance or scarcity of insect food, the kind of rearing field—these 
and other matters must be taken into account. The treatment here 
prescribed will serve as a foundation for the care of all kinds of 
pheasants. 
After the first twenty-four hours food should be given every two 
hours for the first week or two; thereafter the feeding should be gradu- 
ally reduced to three times a day at two or three months—that is, 
feedings should be two hours apart for the first and second weeks, 
three hours apart for the third week, and four hours apart for the 
fourth week and thereafter to about the tenth week. 
While small, pheasant chicks heed the call of the brooding hen, 
after they learn it; but as they grow they become more and more 
independent, and usually show a tendency to stray. When they no 
longer need the fostering care of the hen they should be placed in 
large pens. Their wings must now be clipped, unless the pen be 
wired above. 
CARE IN WINTER. 
Many species of pheasants are able to withstand cold. Even when 
the mercury is below zero, they generally prefer to roost in the open 
runs, and they seem to be little discommoded by snow. Neverthe¬ 
less, it is well to afford them shelter from severe storms and from 
excessive dampness; and some species normally inhabiting warm 
regions require housing in cold weather. Scrupulous cleanliness must 
be maintained throughout the winter, as at other seasons, and dust 
baths must be provided at all times. It is necessary to remember 
also that grit or fine gravel is essential to the proper digestion of food 
by pheasants. In winter it is not usually necessary to separate the 
cocks from each other or from the hens. 
MARKETING PHEASANTS. 
The successful raiser of pheasants will have surplus stock to dispose 
of. Cock pheasants are produced out of proportion to the number 
required for breeding; liens more than 2 years old are generally dis¬ 
carded for breeding purposes; and the natural increase will tend to 
outrun the limitations of the successful propagating plant. Under 
these circumstances many will wish to market their surplus. There 
is at present no lack of demand for pheasants for various purposes. 
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