30 
PHEASANT RAISING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
her brood. When possible, however, it is better to leave the hen free 
to go and come with the chicks. 
While the young chicks require plenty of sunshine, it is important 
also that they be not exposed to the direct rays of the sun in very hot 
weather. They should not be given water that is not fresh and cool, 
and precaution should be taken that they do not drench or drown 
themselves in their drinking vessels. Shallow pans of water in which 
are placed stones the size of hickory nuts will avoid this danger. 
FOOD OF YOUNG PHEASANTS. 
Successful pheasant raisers agree that suitable food is most impor¬ 
tant in pheasant rearing, and each has his own formula. Certain gen- 
Fig. 16.—Coops used on a New Jersey preserve. (These coops are closer together than usual.) 
eral principles, which should always be kept in mind, are embodied 
in pheasant feeding. As with the old birds, it is better to err on 
the side of too little food than too much. Never feed more than the 
birds will eat up clean. In selecting food two things must be remem¬ 
bered—that variety tempts appetite and that a gradual transition 
from soft to hard food is required. Even seed-eating birds, such as 
sparrows and other finches, feed their young at first almost exclusively 
on soft-bodied insects. Young pheasants pick up many insects in the 
rearing field, but the supply must be supplemented. It is customary 
to depend on so-called ants’ eggs (really the pupse of ants), maggots, 
meal worms, or finely ground meat. Almost any soft-bodied insects 
would satisfy the need if they could be secured in sufficient quantity. 
Ants’ eggs are much relished by young pheasants and are excellent 
food; but it is difficult to obtain enough of them, and unless they 
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