sick wild pheasant - can you ID what is wrong and is it a threat to the health of my chickens?

[Perris]

He definitely has mites, ticks and bumble foot, so this is not a wild bird, it has escaped from someone's avariry or they released him because of all the problems with him.

If you can catch him and have a pen you can put him in, away from your chickens and be able to treat him then do so....I don't know the game laws in Wales but he isn't indigenous to Wales.

That bumblefoot has been going on for quite awhile, he was most likely raised on wire. That will be the most difficult issue to treat, that and the scaley leg mites. Mites and ticks can be treated just as you would with chickens.

I wish you the best of luck if you choose to help him to recover!

Indeed ringneck pheasants aren't indigenous here but they went feral a long time ago and now are commonly living wild all over the country. But you think he wouldn't make it living wild in this condition so he got like this in confinement? If I have understood that aright, it's both sad for him and comforting for me, because my main worry was for my own flock and that he might have something contagious causing that swollen foot. I've not had bumblefoot or SLM here so didn't recognize them. Your explanation would also explain why he came towards me rather than ran away, as a wild bird would normally do. If I can find and catch him today I'll take him to the bird sanctuary.
Many thanks.

 

[007Sean]

Indeed ringneck pheasants aren't indigenous here but they went feral a long time ago and now are commonly living wild all over the country. But you think he wouldn't make it living wild in this condition so he got like this in confinement? If I have understood that aright, it's both sad for him and comforting for me, because my main worry was for my own flock and that he might have something contagious causing that swollen foot. I've not had bumblefoot or SLM here so didn't recognize them. Your explanation would also explain why he came towards me rather than ran away, as a wild bird would normally do. If I can find and catch him today I'll take him to the bird sanctuary.
Many thanks.

No problem, that would probably best for him and you. I'd wear different clothing while your catching him, just incase he has a disease that 'we' can't see! Good Luck!

 

[Perris]

I'd wear different clothing while your catching him, just incase he has a disease that 'we' can't see! Good Luck!

good idea! Thanks again; hadn't thought of that (though should have ). I did one circuit this morning but didn't see him. I'll look again lunchtime - in different clothes and with large towel to wrap him in if I can catch him...

 

[007Sean]

good idea! Thanks again; hadn't thought of that (though should have ). I did one circuit this morning but didn't see him. I'll look again lunchtime - in different clothes and with large towel to wrap him in if I can catch him...

Yeah, that way you can change and wash up before tending to your chickens or when you come back from the rehab!

 

[ChikaInu]

I've always contacted SSPCA (RSPCA in England and Wales) concerning ilness and/or injuries in wild birds and racing pigeons. They've been happy to help!
If you find him and can't get in touch with the bird sanctuary I would give them a call.

 

[Perris]

I've always contacted SSPCA (RSPCA in England and Wales) concerning ilness and/or injuries in wild birds and racing pigeons. They've been happy to help!
If you find him and can't get in touch with the bird sanctuary I would give them a call.

thanks for this, but I haven't seen him since that first (and only) encounter.

 

[ChikaInu]

thanks for this, but I haven't seen him since that first (and only) encounter.

Awh, well... I sort of hope he has passed away then and nature has done its thing. <3
It's always good to know that they do help wild things too though. I sort of doubted they would come for an injured pigeon or jackdaw, but they do!