Overwintering pheasants

[snowflight1]

The harsh winter is quickly approaching my farm, and I have 2 pheasants I need to get ready for the winter. And I have a few questions:
1. Do I change their feed for the winter, or will turkey starter and chicken scratch (just a grain/corn mix) be enough?
2. Will a man made shelter be enough for them? I was thinking of filling it with straw and even some dried bull rushes, to keep it cozy for them. They will have a large pen connected to the small shelter to run around in.
3. Is there anything else I should keep in mind, when setting them up for winter?

 

[Austin81]

@007Sean do you have any answers for this? I’d like to know for my self.

 

[007Sean]

They need a complete and balanced feed of 24% protein. Scratch in very limited quantity can be fed during extremely cold weather, just before they go to roost for the night. The scratch grains will help them to keep their core temperature at a steady level through the night.

Adequate shelter should be provided, free from drafts and the elements. Wet, muddy and cold conditions can kill birds very rapidly. A run area should be adequate in size for the amount of birds you intend to keep in the enclosure. My enclosures are 6' in width, 6' to 7' in height and 25' to 30' in length. I typically run 5 to 6 birds in my enclosures. I'm in South Texas, so the cold climate is not an issue here, just the summer heat and humidity.

Most pheasants can survive the winter if given protection from direct contact with the elements....rain, wind, drafts, mud, snow, etc. Only tropical species would need a climate controlled enclosure.
Straw, hay etc will give some protection during extreme fridged conditions. It will help insulated the shelter from the cold. If the shelter is designed to be fully enclosed, then ventilation needs to be addressed as moisture can accumulate and lead to frost bite.
I would also recommend a heated waterer so as to keep fresh drinking water available at all times, even during extreme cold, birds drink alot of water. HTH

 

[Austin81]

They need a complete and balanced feed of 24% protein. Scratch in very limited quantity can be fed during extremely cold weather, just before they go to roost for the night. The scratch grains will help them to keep their core temperature at a steady level through the night.

Adequate shelter should be provided, free from drafts and the elements. Wet, muddy and cold conditions can kill birds very rapidly. A run area should be adequate in size for the amount of birds you intend to keep in the enclosure. My enclosures are 6' in width, 6' to 7' in height and 25' to 30' in length. I typically run 5 to 6 birds in my enclosures. I'm in South Texas, so the cold climate is not an issue here, just the summer heat and humidity.

Most pheasants can survive the winter if given protection from direct contact with the elements....rain, wind, drafts, mud, snow, etc. Only tropical species would need a climate controlled enclosure.
Straw, hay etc will give some protection during extreme fridged conditions. It will help insulated the shelter from the cold. If the shelter is designed to be fully enclosed, then ventilation needs to be addressed as moisture can accumulate and lead to frost bite.
I would also recommend a heated waterer so as to keep fresh drinking water available at all times, even during extreme cold, birds drink alot of water. HTH

Mine get game bird crumble (layer) they only have layer. So in the cold weather would giving them whole corn as well be good for keeping there core temp up ? I’m looking at putting down wood mulch (plain) for the run to keep it a bit not so Muky when it’s wet out.

 

[007Sean]

Mine get game bird crumble (layer) they only have layer. So in the cold weather would giving them whole corn as well be good for keeping there core temp up ? I’m looking at putting down wood mulch (plain) for the run to keep it a bit not so Muky when it’s wet out.

I wouldn't give them whole corn but cracked corn, milo, red winter wheat, and barley. Whole corn is harder to digest.

 

[Austin81]

I wouldn't give them whole corn but cracked corn, milo, red winter wheat, and barley. Whole corn is harder to digest.

Awesome thanx . What about soy beans. From what I’ve read there really good for feather growth?

 

[snowflight1]

They need a complete and balanced feed of 24% protein. Scratch in very limited quantity can be fed during extremely cold weather, just before they go to roost for the night. The scratch grains will help them to keep their core temperature at a steady level through the night.

Adequate shelter should be provided, free from drafts and the elements. Wet, muddy and cold conditions can kill birds very rapidly. A run area should be adequate in size for the amount of birds you intend to keep in the enclosure. My enclosures are 6' in width, 6' to 7' in height and 25' to 30' in length. I typically run 5 to 6 birds in my enclosures. I'm in South Texas, so the cold climate is not an issue here, just the summer heat and humidity.

Most pheasants can survive the winter if given protection from direct contact with the elements....rain, wind, drafts, mud, snow, etc. Only tropical species would need a climate controlled enclosure.
Straw, hay etc will give some protection during extreme fridged conditions. It will help insulated the shelter from the cold. If the shelter is designed to be fully enclosed, then ventilation needs to be addressed as moisture can accumulate and lead to frost bite.
I would also recommend a heated waterer so as to keep fresh drinking water available at all times, even during extreme cold, birds drink alot of water. HTH

Thank you very much!