Pheasants, anything I should know about hatching them?

[hinkjc]

Different species may have different incubation times. Ringnecks take 24-25 days. They require the same temp as chicken eggs and humidity, but be sure to have optimal hatching humidity or you'll get curled feet if they struggle to hatch because it's too dry. Otherwise, they are really pretty easy to hatch. Have fun.

Jody

 

[nccatnip]

I used game bird starter for mine and they did just fine. I did not care for them because as mentioned, they are very flighty, freak out everytime you go near them. Amazing that none of them died from breaking their darn necks.

 

[hinkjc]

We use game bird starter as well, then they are switched to flight conditioner and when they reach laying age they go on gamebird layena. Over winter when they stop laying, they are put on gamebird maintenance until the next lay season. Ringnecks are very picky and require optimal space. I would consider this carefully to make sure you can provide adequate space or you will find yourself very frustrated with the blood thirstyness they can develop when confined to small areas.

We have ours quite some time and as adults, they are pretty mellow (much calmer than they were as chicks) and don't really fly unless they are spooked. The males can be very aggressive towards each other. We use pop on peepers that are placed in the nostrils for the more aggressive males. They are also separated into separate breeding pens during breeding season.

Jody

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

pips&peeps :

I hatched a bunch for my veterinarian a few years ago. I believe they will hatch on day 19 like bantam eggs.

... Bantam eggs hatch on day nineteen?!

 

[WriterofWords]

I have several acres, but I have no intention of keeping pheasants here. If he doesn't want them back we'll sell them to raise money for our many projects we do.
K

 

[Leslie In North Pole]

I always used gamestarted for my pheasants. They definetely are very quick. After hatching, the biggest cause for losses is, peeping to death. There is always one or two that seem to be awake all of the time, I always felt they were peeping for momma and they would fall asleep standing or when I held them.

I found by brooding them under a ceramic reptile bulb with natural light in the room, it ended my losses. Both pheasant and quail are very light sensitive. Not have a bright light focused on them seemed to help, though I am sure a colored bulb would cut losses as well.

They can also be a little more aggressive to each other if any of them have a spot on them or get injured then chicks.

 

[hinkjc]

I didn't think to mention the light, but Leslie is absolutely correct in stating gamebirds do not do well with bright or white lights. We use red or blue lamps here when brooding pheasants.

Jody

 

[WriterofWords]

Thank you very much! I always use red lights now due to what someone else posted on here!