The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-12

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be placed in the bottom Of the nest
Disinfect the hen with insect powder be-
fore placing her upon the nest.
The hen should be placed upon the nest
with some common eggs for at least two
days before placing the pheasant eggs I'M
der her. This Is done to test her staying
qualities. The eggs should then be placed
under the hen at night time. afteS remov-
ting the hens eggs.
Food and water should be placed in the
runway, so the hen can subsist during in
cubation.
The eggs should be examined every day,
and for this purpose the lid or roof of the
box should be lifted while the hen is out
Tn the runway, so that none become broken
or sotied. Should any Of the eggs become
soiled from broken eggs or otherwise. they
should be cieansed by taking rag wet
with tepid water and wiping them, but do
not place the eggs in water.
It.takes from twenty-five to twenty-four
days for the eggs TO hatch.
Afer the eggs have been under the hen
twenty days. they should be sprinkled with
lukewarm water twice day. This Is nee
essary in order to aid the young birds to
leave the she'll
The runway and box should fit close to
the ground to prevent the young birds
from leaving. as they will surely leave ehe
hen as soon as they are out of the shell,
unless this precaution Is needed. The hen
and young birds should be kept closely in
the box for twenty-four hours after they
are Matched and should not be allowed 10
have either food or drink. At the end of
twenty-four hours both the hen and young
birds may be let out into the runway. Give
the hen all the corn she will eat. This
will Keep her from eating the food of
her young.
The food for the young birds for the
first week should he of custard. made of
milk and eggs. and should be given fresh
at least five times day. Care should be
taken not TO feed too much at time. so
as to keep the coop clean. for If the place
becomes foul 1t will tend TO breed disease,
and the young birds may die from diAr-
rhoea.
The food for the young birds for the
second week should consist of custard and
milk curd. The custard should be given
three times a day. and milk curd. which
should be mixed with equal parts of
ground hemp and canary seed, should be
given twice a day. A common coffee mill
will answer the purpose for grinding the
seeds
Some young lettuce and young onion
tops, chopped fine. should be added to both
the custard and milk curd.
The young birds should be given plenty
OF green food by placing lettuce or young
clover I'm the coops.
The food should be frequently changed.
At the end of week the young birds
may be fed hard boiled eggs and boiled
potatoes, chopped fine and mixed together.
Ants and ant eggs. grasshoppers and flies
should be added to the bill OF fare for the
young birds.
AT the age of II days the young may be
fed chopped fresh beef.
Care should be taken in preparing the
eggs and potatoes not 10 form paste.
AT the age of one month a little canary
seed and wheat may be given.
When the young birds are three months
old they may be fed chopped oats and bar
ley mixed with cornmeal.
During the first week the birds should
not be given any water. as they viii get
quite enough from the custard.
To arrange a place for the young birds 10
drink. the vessel used should not be more
than one-haf inch deep. This is done so
they cannot get wet.
The birds should be kept in the runway
for about ten days, the young birds
learn the call of the hen.
This can be ascertained by watching the
hen and seeing when the young birds heed
her call.
After this the young may be allowed To
run at large but the hen must be confined
until the young birds are weaned. The
Young birds will then have learned to
reost In the box.
The water should he changed three times
a day, and the vessels should be kept clean
al all times.
The dimensions OF the box are twenty
inches made from barn siding. and the
runway is sixty inches by twenty inches
and twelve inches high.
Young pheasants require plenty of shade.
The best place to raise them Is an Old or
ehard where they can get shade as well
as some sunshine. WILLARD.