Wanting to get into Pheasants, but has questions

Okay, so I have Large and Bantams chickens, ducks, Royal Palm Turkeys, etc. I want to try pheasants, because I LOVE the golden pheasant. And I don't care much for Peacocks or Quails.

I am currently feeding Purina Flock Raiser and Medicated Chick Starter to the Chickens. The Flock Raiser to the Ducks and Turkeys. I am also trying to get into geese and guineas. Well, I am thinking switching Game Bird Feed and Layena Pellets.

Here are my questions:

Can the Pheasants be feed Game Bird Starter their whole life? Or do I switch to something else, when they reach adulthood?

What breed is best to start out with? I am thinking the Common Pheasant, would be good to start out with.

I forgot to ask. What protein percent to do I start at when they are "chicks"? Then what protein percent do I go to as a "finisher"? Then when they are adults?

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdboy15 

I would not recomend starting with ringnecks as they are fairly aggressive. Goldens ar amherst are good beginner birds. Can you get another feed other than Purina, its really not a high quality feed like advertised. Kent feeds has a nice gamebird feeding program.

I don't think so. I did the search on their site closest store with it is about 1 to 2 hours away.

I forgot to ask. What protein percent to do I start at when they are "chicks"? Then what protein percent do I go to as a "finisher"? Then when they are adults?

I know I put Has instead of Have. xD

Nevermind! I finally found my answers. I am thinking about just jumping in the Red Goldens, or Lady A's. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldenpheasantlover 

The starter is just for the chicks, you'll need to move onto adult bird food when they're about 6-8 weeks. I use turkey feed for the adult birds which seems to work well (my last lot lived for 4 years on turkey feed before a fox got them).

 

I would always suggest Golden Pheasants to start, partly because I'm biased and partly because they are extremely good natured. I've only had 1 yellow golden in my life and he turned out to be really nutty and ended up attacking me if I went in, so I would suggest red and red only until you are more comfortable with tiny ninjas with claws.

And that is another perk of the goldens, they are mini pheasants. Much smaller than your common garden pheasant :)

 

I believe as chicks they need about 20% protein. To be honest, I think they need that amount for most of their lives, but please don't quote me on that!

Thank you

I read 30% protein. But I am not sure on what adult food. They (purina) has Game bird Layer, Game Bird Maintenance, and a Game Bird Flight conditioner. :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldenpheasantlover 

Judging from the name, the Maintenance would probably be for most of the time, the Layer would probably be for the breeding season and I should imagine the Flight Conditioner would be during that period before/just after you release the birds for shooting.

When is breeding season for pheasants?