120 
REPORT OF BOARD OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONERS. 
during the laying season, as the hens are so affected by the odor as to 
stop laying. 
HANDLING NEW BIRDS. 
When a shipment of pheasants is received, first of all consider that 
they will feel strange and timid; therefore, they must be quietly handled. 
Place the crate in the pen, with food and water near by. After arrang¬ 
ing it so that the birds can come out when they get ready, leave them 
and keep away from the pen, except when necessary to feed and water, 
as pheasants are easily scared when changed to new quarters. After a 
few days they will become accustomed to their new home and can be 
cared for without trouble. The same person should attend to the birds 
all the time if possible, and should always wear the same clothing when 
among them, as they are sensitive to any change of appearance and 
become frightened very easily. Strangers always bother the birds, and 
dogs and cats should never be allowed near the runs. Plandle the birds 
only when actually necessary, and then only by grasping them over the 
wings and around the body. Never grasp them by the wings or legs, as 
is commonly done with poultry. 
FEED FOR ADULT BIRDS. 
Those foods that contain the elements and properties of their natural 
food supply, and to which they have been accustomed through cen¬ 
turies of feeding in the wild state, are naturally best suited to the 
pheasant in captivity.- Do not overfeed, as it is sure to induce disease. 
The pheasant is a small feeder, needing only about half as much food as 
the chicken. 
Variety in food is very important, as the pheasant in his wild state 
eats practically every edible substance he finds. Adult birds require 
feeding morning and evening, no more food being given them than will 
be cleaned up. We have found the best food to be a mixture made after 
the following formula: 
Broken wheat (not screenings)_20 pounds 
Fine (granulated) cracked corn- 15 pounds 
Oat groats-15 pounds 
Coarse beef scrap-10 pounds 
Millet seed - 10 pounds 
Canary seed -10 pounds 
Rape seed --- 5 pounds 
Hemp seed_ 5 pounds 
Fine chicken grit- 5 pounds 
Fine granulated charcoal_ 5 pounds 
100 pounds 
We should say at this point that none of the various poultry foods 
that we have tested has proven suitable for pheasants. The birds must 
have plenty of green ground bone at all times and be given an abund¬ 
ance of green feed, such as cabbage, lettuce, swiss chard, fine cut lawn. 
