Red golden pheasant questions

[Jim200]

I had a male red golden pheasant wander up to my chicken coop. I don't have a clue where he came from. I'm building a cage for him. It's about 20x25, 10' tall, and built in the woods. It's completely covered top to bottom with 2"x4" steel fencing. I need some ideas as to what type of structures I need to add for shelter and nesting. I would also like to know what other birds I can put with him. I was thinking of getting a female for him and possibly another pair of goldens and dividing the pen with chicken wire.

 

[The Phantom]

@007Sean

 

[The Phantom]

@Tony K T

 

[Tony K T]

He will walk right thru the 2x4 fencing.Not only that predators can grab him a lot easier with the big openings in the wire.I suggest hardware cloth everywhere.You cam house all males in 1 pen but they need to be put in at the same time.As for a structure,I wouldn't bother,they rarely go inside of a building.They need to be in the open so they can see what is around them.I would suggest a covered area above his perching area to keep the rain and snow from him.Even though he will probably roost in a spot that he will get wet.As for another pair,splitting the pen is fine but put a blinder between them so the males can't see each other.If not during breeding season you may see the 2 males trying to get at each other and not pay attention to their hens.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Jim200]

Thanks for the info Tony. Im a little confused. I have had him in my greenhouse for a few weeks now and it is fenced with 2x4 fencing.

 

[007Sean]

Your enclosure is large enough for a pair or 1 male to 5 - 6 females. Although, i don't think they can squeeze through 2 x 4 mesh, predators can and certainly can reach inside to catch pull the birds apart.
1inch square welded wire works pretty well at keeping most predators out. As far as shelter from the elements, siding on 3 sides with a cover over part of the enclosure will work fine, as long as they have a draft free place to get out of extreme weather events. Most of the time, mine stay outside of the sheltered part, unless it's raining heavy or extremely hot. HTH

 

[Jim200]

I think that I know what I need to do now. Now I just need to find some females. Are pheasant eggs good to eat?

 

[Tony K T]

Ive had birds walk right thru the 2x4 wire,I have used hardware cloth for many years now with no problems of birds getting out,or predators getting in,except those dumb squrriels.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[007Sean]

I think that I know what I need to do now. Now I just need to find some females. Are pheasant eggs good to eat?

Yes, but pheasants are seasonal layers, so you can expect from 25 to 50 eggs per hen during breeding season. Some may lay more, some less.