Pheasants and chickens together?

[Koipondduck]

These are old posts but when I search goodle, every time backyard chicken.com come up with the best answer.
I have ornamental water fowl like mandarines, wood ducks and a pair of pintales, I thought, I will just keep a pair of pheasants ( 2.5 months old) but
honestly the best thing I see after discussions that to keep them separeate.

 

[peleg]

in my cage there is lady amherst pheasants and ducc'le mile fluer and they sleep together and eating together....

 

[Koipondduck]

oh thta is nice. For some reason, I can not load pictures from this desk top and my lap top keep asking for the control CD. So much easier with a lap top

 

[angsaidso]

I have a trio of melanstics that live in a VERY large ground enclosure with silkies, chukars, guineas and a few quail sprinkled in. They all are fine together. The pheasant have a tendency to be bullies at feeding time though, so I scatter feed, offer two large feeders and also offer plenty of feed. I also have two three gallon waterers in there. As long as I do this, they all eat side by side and do just fine. None hatched nor were brooded together and they were introduced during the day when I could watch them since they are so different in breed. They seem to be used to the comings and goings of other birds and just look at the newcomers with curiosity and then wander off to do their own thing. My chukar and pheasant all return home in the evenings and do not fly away. I worry more that a hawk or fox will grab them while they are out scouring the grounds for bugs and yummy stuff! My experience has been that if you are introducing new stuff regularly, they get used to the newcomers and just don't seem to care.

 

[chicken gal]

Can you house them together? Sure. Is it recommended? No, for the reasons Tony stated. Some people may luck out and not have any problems. If you want to take the chance, go ahead. Just be aware of the possibilities. Everyone has to look at the risks and make the decision they feel OK with.

What are the risks?

 

[Tony K T]

What are the risks?

Chickens can pass diseases to pheasants,chickens can handle the diseases,but pheasants will die from them.Pheasants should not even be in a pen next to chickens or turkeys.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[chicken gal]

Thanks.

 

[downdabayou]

This is my first time posting. I've been reading the forum for quite a while now and I truly appreciate the useful information I have found here. I'd like to say thanks to everyone who contributes to the forum!

Now, back to the subject of the thread...while reading, I felt compelled to share my experience. I will not claim to have any documented evidence of the successful cohabitation of pheasants, chickens and other fowl. However, I can offer experience.

I have raised pheasants and chickens together in the same coop (along with ducks) for 12 years. In that time I've lost only 2 birds to unknown causes, both being chickens. I'm sure someone out there, who is way smarter than me, has done all kinds of research and figured out that it's not possible. Frankly, I'm not one to listen to someone who knows all. I'd much rather find out on my own, and I'm prepared to deal with the consequences. Too many times have I seen the odds defied. By the way, I've never heard that it shouldn't be done until I read this thread tonight. I guess I should get out more.

I just wanted to offer my experience. I'm not saying that there's no truth to the issues discussed in this thread. I'm just saying that in 12 years I have never experienced anything of the sort. I prefer the results of experience over here say any day. Experience just holds much more weight, in my mind. Which Is why I find this forum so incredibly helpful.

Thanks again, everyone, for your helpful input over the last couple of years. I hope someone can find my experience somewhat useful.

 

[Koeyohte]

Chickens can pass diseases to pheasants,chickens can handle the diseases,but pheasants will die from them.Pheasants should not even be in a pen next to chickens or turkeys.
In N.H.,Tony.

^
l
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This. From what I have learned, some individual pheasants make it but they shouldn't ever be kept near chickens, as both birds are immune to their own batches of diseases, but can cross-contaminate (which is why you should always have a sanitizing solution to spray your shoes/boots with and wash hands when working with the chickens then the pheasants or vice versa).

Pheasants also like their room.

If you do ever consider bringing new birds to your existing flock, they need to be kept totally separate (mine stay in a large rabbit crate on the back porch while the existing birds are out back), for at least 30 days. Then they can be introduced.

 

[RingedTeal]

You may have kept the birds together for 12 years but how do you know they won't get something from each other next week ? A songbird could bring something in to your chickens and then they pass it on. Also are you providing them both with the proper nutrition ? Pheasants and all other gamebirds require higher levels of protein than chickens.