should I get pheasants?

[DPC poultry]

I have been thinking about getting ringneck pheasants, what kind of cage do I need? Also what kind of nesting boxes? Are they hard to keep? Do they lay eggs often?

 

[flgardengirl]

I don't know the answer I am just waiting for someone else to answer you lol, because dh has been wanting pheasants as well.

 

[Illia]

Honestly I wouldn't know. This is a "chicken" section, however there is a Pheasant section.

All I know is that for where I live, I've been told they're not cold or rain-hardy, so if we had some, we'd need to really pamper them.

 

[Jacklynn]

Actually Pheasants are very weather resistant.

I went to a breeders house just last week. He takes plastic barrels, cut's them in half & lets them down, they are uninsulated. They live right outside in wire pens. They do need wire on the top of their cages, as they fly very well.

I don't know about eggs or anything though, sorry !

I'm in Southern Ontario, it gets in the teen to the 30s (30s being rare), temp. wise.

 

[Chris09]

Check with you local game warden or state. You will have to get a federal migratory bird permit and the pen that they are in might have to be inspected by the game warden before they give you a permit.
On the up side the premit should be good for ring-neck pheasants, mallard ducks, and chucker.

Chris

 

[Robo]

You need a big cage with some nest boxes. You can use a dog house like you do with your chickens. They lay pretty good in breeding season, but not in the winter.

 

[spectrumranch]

Quote:
Pheasants are not migratory birds and I have never heard of anyone needing a federal permit for pheasants. Alot of states do require a state gamebird permit, you would need to check with your state, as each one is different.

PS- as far as I know, Mallards are exempt from the federal migratory waterfowl permit also.

 

[spectrumranch]

Quote:
There are many threads on Ringnecks- read thru a few you should find the info.

 

[Talihofarms]

Pheasants are very winter hardy. I raise hundreds every year, You should cover with poultry netting on the top. Sides we use galv. poultry wire. We don't bother with nest boxes. We had them but they like to make their own. You can get away with clipping their wings to keep them from flying. Having said that.... If they ever get out of their run you can kiss them good bye. These suckers can run. Even my jumbo whites are known to never look back once they escape. Pheasants don't have the loyalty of Chickens.
Here in the Midwest I start to see eggs in late Feb. till Sept. Hope this helps.







Just my.02


Good Luck

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

Quote:
Pheasants are not migratory birds and I have never heard of anyone needing a federal permit for pheasants. Alot of states do require a state gamebird permit, you would need to check with your state, as each one is different.

PS- as far as I know, Mallards are exempt from the federal migratory waterfowl permit also.

That's right Randy, there's no such thing as a migratory bird permit for any upland game bird, as they are not migratory.
The only species that permit covers are ones on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, for us, mainly North American waterfowl.

and yes, whoever told you ringneck werent weather hardy, didnt know what they were talking about, LOL