26 
PHEASANT RAISING IN THE UNITED STATES. 
uj) to 30, while silver, Swinhoe, and Soemmerring pheasants breed in 
pairs. An extra number of cocks should be kept to replace any that 
die or are killed. In some pheasantries all the pheasants of one 
species are placed in one large pen (fig. 14), the proper proportion of 
cocks and hens being maintained, on the theory that while a smaller 
number of eggs results from this method, the chicks are stronger. 
But during the breeding season pheasant cocks are very pugnacious, 
and if not kept separate are apt to injure one another. Hence it is 
customary to have a small pen, not less than 9 by 18 feet or more than 
30 by 30 feet, for each cock and his hens. Breeding pens should be 
on well-drained ground, and should have plenty of cover, to furnish 
retired places in which the hens may deposit their eggs. Shelter is 
not usually necessary for the birds, but a dusting place must be pro- 
Fig. 14.—Breeding pen on a New Jersey preserve. Measures 100 
feet by 200 feet, and accommodates 150 pheasants, which breed 
without separation. Note brush shelter provided. 
and the golden and silver lay from April 1 to about the middle of 
June. No nest is required. The eggs should be gathered once or 
twice daily. They should be placed in bran as gathered, and should 
be set as soon as possible; but if it is not convenient to set them at 
once, they will remain in good condition for not more than two 
weeks in a covered box of fresh bran kept cool and dry; they should 
be turned daily. During the laying period the birds should have a 
plentiful supply of fresh gravel, old mortar, cinders, and ashes. Iron 
tonic in the water once a week is beneficial. 
vided, and for this 
purpose a shed should 
be placed at the side 
of the pen from which 
storms usually come, 
or some other means 
provided by which a 
spot ma}^ be kept 
dry. 
The laying period 
varies somewhat with 
the species and local¬ 
ity. In northern New 
Jersey the ringneck, 
English, English ring- 
neck, and Beeves be¬ 
gin about March 1 
and continue to about 
the middle of July, 
HATCHING. 
Eggs should be hatched under barnyard hens unless it is conven¬ 
ient to procure turkeys, which are excellent for hatching and for 
brooding the chicks. Pheasant hens are broody but very wild, and 
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