Advice on pheasant behavior and pens.

[taprock]

I hatched out pheasants without really knowing much. Blame it on my son and a local breeder with inexpensive eggs. I have golden and what he called mutant, I'm guessing melanastic. ?? I have looked at pheasant pens and have a temporary one but do not like it and have had two escapes. I have a few questions before I try rebuild.
Where should pheasants sleep? Ground, roost, outside, in enclosure? Mine will just pile on the ground, unless I move them into their box.
What age will I need to separate males? Or for that matter be able to tell sex? I have 7 two month olds in together.
Is there a good place to read and learn more?

 

[mistercooper]

The males need to be separated before their first breeding season. I assume you will want to do it by January or February before they pair up.

You should be able to discern sex around 5-8 weeks when the males' eyes start to lighten up gradually to yellow. Hen eyes will stay brown.

Mine seem to like to roost at night, usually outside but not always. Sometimes they will huddle together under cover.
I've found this forum and gbwf to be the best resources so far. There are books out there, but none of the ones I've read are particularly detailed.