Ornamental Pheasants

[Robo]

When I mix bloodlines I usually start them from chicks so it is easier to decide which ones to cull/sell. How often do you intregate different bloodlines to yours?

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

I only have 10 mo. DT's!!

I NEED TIPS ON SHOWING!!!

 

[Robo]

The judges really look at how the head is shaped, feet, and pigmentation of feathers. My show birds have to meet a certaint standard in each of these catagories before I show them.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Can you post pics of your show quality pheasants?
How do you prepare them?
Do they have to tame to show them?

 

[Robo]

I don't have that many at the moment, but I will post pics of what I do have tomorrow. I prepare them by soaking them in warm water 2 days before the show. When I transport them I haul them in large wire bottomed crates so their feet don't get dirty. They only have to be tame enough not to flop around in the pen to show them. they also need to stand sort of still when the judges come.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Any more suggestions?

 

[Robo]

Sometimes I clean their toenails with a soft toothbrush before shows. I also put just a tad of vasoline on their beaks to make them look cleaner.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

how can I tame chicks?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Bobwhite,

taming these really isnt a thing you can do to all of them. They arent like that, some have a better shot at hand feeding than others, but they are very few, and some will spur you in the head the second you turn away from them.
SO, if pets for shows is all you are wanting these pheasants for, your going to be disappointed, they are wild game bird species, not domestic chickens, they in no way are similar in their behavior, habits, and life needs. Like we all have said, you're eventually going to regret trying to take these to shows. A lot of the more sensitive species really dont need to be handled very much at any age, especially as chicks.
now goldens, amherst and silvers, they are pretty tough, you'll be fine playing around with them, but please dont buy all these other species with the intent of simply making a pet or show bird out of them, it's just not something you do with them, and for good reason, they'll die.....

 

[charlesT]

well said Boggy those rascals seem to kill over at a drop of a hat, i thought i was lucky just to feed up and them still be alive when i finsh and to bobwhite i would hate for you to spend several hundred dollars on these birds and loose them for a show ribbion like Boggy said golden, amherst, silver may have a chance but even them can be high strung so pick the calmest birds for shows but even at that if you still get the more expensive pheasant to keep for your self you run risk of bringing somthing in from a show so best keep them well away from show birds birds like trags and imp are proned to die on their on so no need to help them any.