14 year old daughter interested in starting pheasants

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Hello all. My daughter is interested in starting pheasants. We have had quail, currently have ducks, chickens, turkeys and an assortment of other critters.
Please post suggestions on breeds, pens, feeding, anything really, never had them so it's all new.
Thanks in advance.

 

[007Sean]

Well, it happened.lol
Was able to trade some chickens for 5 ringneck pheasants. 1 cock, 4 hens.
Daughter is thrilled and full of ideas and questions and is doing more research.
So am I!!!
Also, it was suggested to me by Ravynscroft to get in touch with @007Sean and introduce myself and pick his brain.
Hope he doesn't mind..

Go ahead, pick away....hope I can be of some assistance!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Well, it happened.lol
Was able to trade some chickens for 5 ringneck pheasants. 1 cock, 4 hens.
Daughter is thrilled and full of ideas and questions and is doing more research.
So am I!!!
Also, it was suggested to me by Ravynscroft to get in touch with @007Sean and introduce myself and pick his brain.
Hope he doesn't mind..

 

[blackdust951]

Golden pheasants are the starter breed you can feed them much the same food as quail as they are both game birds i don't know much about them either so I can't say much also here is a link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-pheasant-pic-heavy-with-mutation-pics.67510/

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Thanks for the info...

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Go ahead, pick away....hope I can be of some assistance!

Thank you so much for answering.
OK, they are approx 4 months old.
I know there are alot of standard recommendations for pens, what I need to know is min size for a house and size for a run. Nest boxes? Preferred bedding, any supplements, is chick starter grower OK till I go to town Thursday, what grain do you recommend?
We did look up this I info but it varies so much from one source to another that it doesn't help me much.lol
Also, tips on handling. These are a bit skittish and she's hoping to tame them a bit.
Any other info you have other than the questions I came up with is also very welcome!
Thanks again!

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Myself i have never raised pheasents how ever a friend and my family has. And to be honest (they raisied ring neck) they all dislike them. They would eat each other and fight non stop. The only game bird they all liked was chukkars.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Best of luck to you with your pheasents wish you guys the best with them.

Thanks alot. I'll definitely keep an eye on them for aggressive behavior.
My daughter is in love with them already.lol

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Just took a look at your enclosure. A couple of things "jumped out" to my eye. A predator can easily dig under the enclosure. Also, appears that poly twine was used to hold the seperate sections of wire together? better to use wire or ring clips for joining the sections and closer spacing of the ties. A predator can easily gain access to the enclosure and ruin your day and your pheasants. Hope you don't think Im being too critical here but just looking out for whats best for your birds.

Thank you very much for the input.. Predators haven't been a problem at all here and all of the chickens free range 24/7 with no losses. Yes, there are Predators in our area but we have 5 large LGDs and 3 med herd dogs that have full access day and night to the entire place. Also it's up close to the barn and house where our 4 little dogs patrol..lol in the 4 1/2 years we've been here we haven't had issues..I realize it still a chance and will work twords more predator proofing.
Please don't think I'm being dismissive about it. I just wanted you to know our situation here for more understanding as to why we used what we did.
Above all, I greatly appreciate your advice and welcome all you are willing to give. Again.. Thank you!