New to being a pheseant parent

[Msoleyw]

Hi all,
My name is Soley, I live in southern Calif and I love birds. I have had many caged ones as pets ever since I was old enough to care for them. Currently I have a cockatoo named Blossom and was recently given a Red Golden pheasant with a curly foot. I don't have any experience with large birds but have been doing some research on this particular type. My concern and question is how to care for it? I believe it's a male about 3 or so years. Currently it is housed in a large pen but it will need it's own. I don't plan on breeding or adding any more birds, will it be OK by itself? How do I know if it's healthy, ex: weight, appearance ... and most importantly, what do I feed it? Any and all comments welcomed, thank you.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome!
Can you get pictures of your new bird and the area you plan on keeping it in?

 

[Kiki]

@007Sean @muddy75

 

[orloffer]

Welcome to BYC, Soley! There is so much to see, do, and learn here! You may also consider posting your questions on a Pheasant forum, if you haven't already.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Good luck with the pheasant. I would imagine Purina Flock Raiser would be a good starting point for the food. But @007Sean would know better.

 

[Starburst]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! So excited you joined!
Make yourself at home in this amazing community!

 

[sourland]

Hello, Soley, and welcome to BYC.

 

[featherhead007]

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Young birds with curled toes can many times be corrected with bandages. I am not sure adult feet, tendons and ligaments will stretch too far, but you might try wrapping the toes to straighten and strengthen the foot. Over time it may make a difference.

Good luck and welcome to our community!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Soley and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Golden pheasants are relatively easy to raise. A large pen is best for them in but a single bird can get by with a smaller area.
A single male will do ok by it's self.
If it has curly toes at 3 + years, they will not straighten out ....only breaking them and resetting would straighten them out, and would be stressful to the bird and require a vet performing the reset.
They should be fed a complete and balanced feed ration of 24% protein. Their habitat should be well landscaped, large smooth rocks, grasses, shrubs and small trees if the enclosure is large enough to do so....makes for healthier birds.
Another point...do not raise chickens anywhere near pheasants. Chickens have and can tolerate alot of diseases that will kill a pheasant, as well as other gamebirds

Thanks for joining our community! Good luck with your birds.