PHEASANT BREEDING

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 2

PHEASANT BREEDING

SOCIETY’S METHODS QUESTIONED DISCUSSION BY ACCLIMATISATION BODY The success of the method of breeding pheasants adopted by the Otago Acclimatisation Society at the hatchery at Waitati was questioned at the monthly meeting of the council last night. The matter was discussed at length, and it was finally resolved that no decision be made till the next meeting, when a detailed report on the costs of pheasant breeding would be submitted. The matter was brought before the meeting by a report on the season’s breeding work, submitted by the hatchery curator (Mr W. Claringbold), who wrote;—

“On October 11 111 eggs were placed under hens and bantams, and these were hatched out on November 12, 59 chickens being the result. “ On November 12 72 eggs were set and 22 chickens were hatched. “ On November 13 187 eggs were placed in an incubator, 28 chickens being hatched. Of the total number 20 eggs were not fertile and 136 had chicks in them. “ Of the last two lots 50 chicks were placed under a brooder, and up till January 8 only two were lost. Ten more died between that date and January 24. “ On November 30 475 eggs were set, only 10 chickens being hatched. Fiftyone eggs were not fertile, and 361 eggs had chicks in them. The others were broken. “ Of 120 eggs set under hens and bantams on November 9 91 hatched out, but five ducks were very weak and died. A further setting of 100 eggs was placed in an incubator on the same date. There were 21 eggs which were not fertile, 34 chickens were hatched, and 45 other eggs contained chicks. “ The following table summarises the settings and hatchings:—

“ On the whole the fertility of the eggs put down was good and the trouble occurred during the period of incubation, the eggs germinating satisfactorily and the embryo dying before hatching out. Hundreds of eggs were found to contain fully-fledged chicks, and. some of these were found to have chipped the shells- but failed to get any further. These observations apply to both incubation eggs and those under sitting hens.

“ The working of the incubators has been a failure, but it was not possible to obtain sitting bens to cover the number of eggs I have bandied. Had hens been used exclusively the number of separate rearing pens required would have been very large. “ The season for pheasants is now over, and 1 regret very much that 1 cannot make a more favourable report. For the future breeding of pheasants I would suggest no further building of housing, but I would recommend a large open run in which to keep &1I breeding birds during the off season until the laying time commences.” Mr G. Porter asked what the cost of the pheasant breeding had been to the society, and suggested that a tabulated report should be submitted to the nest meeting of the council. He thought that the time was ripe for an inquiry into the matter. The system adopted in Auckland appeared to be more satisfactory. The society there had two experienced men breeding for it, and about £4OO a year was spent on the purchase of pheasants. It appeared to him that the Otago Society was handling the matter in the wrong way. Mr W. G. Reid said that it had cost the society about £BOO since it had started, and it did not seem to be much farther on. It had been proved that the birds would not breed naturally, and it was a question how they should go about it. . The Auckland Society’s method seemed to be the best. Pheasants were liberated each _ year there, and the sale of licenses paid for the breeding He had always advocated the introduction of new birds into the country, instead of spending money on pheasants. Birds could not be made to breed naturally in places uncongenial to them. Chuckor and quail were doing well, but pheasants would never thrive in Otago. That the discussion should be held over till the next meeting, when a report on the cost of breeding' would be before the meeting, was the suggestion of Mr C. A. Wilson. They could then decide whether, to carry on with the present system or adopt another. Mr H. G. Williams supported the suggestion, which was adopted.

Eggs. Chicks, Ill 59 194 43 72 22 187 28 485 10 120’ 91 100 34 1,269 287