Pheasant House Questions

[sweetshoplady]

I am building a good sized run for my pheasants. I have 5, 1 male and 4 hens. I've transplanted some tall grass, planted a mulberry tree, a hawthorne tree, and 2 hibiscus bushes in there. It's almost done. The netting should be here before weeks end.

I'm trying to make it as "natural" a home as possible.

My queston is this:

If I make a shelter for them to get out of the rain, will they use it? Will they like it? I was thinking a 3 sided thing with a roof.

And when they get in there I will be posting pictures.

 

[Lophura]

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Sounds like you've got a nice aviary going, what species are they?

I've had it go both ways - some species will use a shelter and others refuse. Most do appreciate the shade they provide from the summer sun and I always make sure there is something in the aviary - be it a lean-to or cut barrel for them to escape the sun or rain if they so choose. The trees and bushes you are planning, awesome!!

Dan

 

[sweetshoplady]

They're silver pheasants. I'm hoping to get some ringnecks. They'll get their own pen. It's taken me forever to get this one done. Or it seemed like it. The trees are little but should grow fast and the tall grass should give them some "cover".

 

[Bossroo]

Planting any large tree in an aviary is never a good thing especially a huge, brittle and WEED TREE such as a Mulberry will soon overwelm you with pruning and destroying the overhead wire and the girding and killing of the branches when they grow through the wire. Much better idea is to plant the trees some distance OUTSIDE of the pens. Go look at a 5 then 10 year old tree to see what I mean.

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
Silvers are a great species (I'm pretty partial to all Lophura!!) and your set-up sounds like it will great for them. Shade will be most important.


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They do grow fast and yes, be prepared for lots of pruning, but do not deny the pheasants a natural setting INSIDE where they are. We use willows, which grow like weeds and require constant pruning, but the branches provide natural perching, shade, and enrichment. The mulberry, while a "WEED", provides the birds with all the mentioned - plus a natural food source!! I'd use them, but the birds keep killing them before they take off!!

You just have to stay on top of things to prevent damage, the extra work is worth it.

Dan