Cañon City record., 1899-04-20
Our pI,sasants.

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have been raising the Mongolion
Pheasants and desire that those hav-
ling our pheasants in chasge will fol-
low these instructions as near as pos
sible. The two essential points to be
observed in raising the pheasants are
properly constructed avisries and
feeding. Any plan of aviaries which
is clean. spacious. well lighted, thor
oughly ventilated, and erected on
well-drained grounds is acceptable.
Ayiaries tightly boarded on all sides
are preferable, as these birds, wild by
nature, enjoy seclusion.
Wire netting as roof admits suf-
dcient light and ventilation. Avoid
frightening the birds by giving them
but one attendant and by providing
numerous coverts. Evergreen boughs
are excellent for this purpose. Dry
ness under foot is important. In
providing shelter build the sheds
along walls, broad enough at all times
to afford dry earth, The pheasants
enjoy a dust bath. Numerous short
perches are better than one long one.
A supply of gritty matter and some
lime should be thrown in the runs.
I
The quantity of food is best deter
mined by the appetites of the birds,
and they prefer to search for it.
Conceal it in the grass, clean straw
or vegetable leaves. The vessel con-
tanning the drinking water should be
placed in the shade and must be kept
clean and the birds supplied with
water. The active, restless nature
of the bird is an advantage to the
breeder, as exercise promotes health.
At regular, early hour in the morn
ing they should be given some quickly
digested food soft. Avoid sticki-
ness. Ground oats, cracked wheat,
stale breai, cooked potatoes and
boiled eggs may be used constantly.
These birds are Unsuitable in their de-
sire for animal food, and some should
be given them about twice week
When insects are scarce, boiled beef
or mutton, finely chopped and mixed
with cracked wheat, is recommended.
II supplied at the regular feeding
hours, it tends to make the birds dis
satisfied with other foods. 1t is best
given at the noon hour. When ber-
ries and fruits are in season, green
foods and fresh water suffice. An
hour before dusk feed grain. Wheat
and oats may be fed at any season.
SunHower seeds. peas, corn and buck
wheat are added from time to time,
increasing the quantity slightly dur
ing cold weather. Grain in the sheaf
is the best preparation The birds
are thriftiest when frequent changes
in food are provided. A daily supply
of fresh, green food i indispensable
70 thrifty growth. Whsn garden
waste Is scarce green cod may be
substituted. The birds are poiyga-
nous, and If bred in confinement it is
best to mate three or four hens with
one cock. Never attempt to keep
two or more cocks in the same run
during the breeding season, as they
Sight to finish
A thrifty hen will lay sixty or more
eggs If they are daily collected and
placed under domestic hens for incu-
baton. A rank growth of grass en-
courages the laying in nests. No
other laying accommodations need be
provided. This wanting. they drop
their eggs promiscuously in the yard.
Always select tame broody hen, one
with smooth legs and light weight is
the best. Never neglect to free her
of body vermin. The eggs require
about twenty-four days for incuba
tion. When the chicks are thorough
ly dry carefully remove the hen and
brood to a roomy coop, constructed
so as to allow the chicks their freedom
from the first, but do not frighten
them by remaining near to admire or
attend them. They are active and
wary. and at one signal of alarm from
the hen scatter and creep through
the grass and are gone. They will
respond only to the cluck of the hen
at this stage. Leave them undis-
turbed for about twenty-four hours.
Every two hours for the first two
weeks feed a little hard-boiled egg
bruised small with fork and mixed
with cracked wheat. Let the hen
teach them to eat. As they grow, at
gradually increasing intervals, feed
stale bread, crumbs and other grains.
The chicks find green food and in
4 ...l.fx A.