Silver pheasant chicks

[kbgh]

In mid December our trio of young Silver Pheasants laid an egg. Then another, and another, 5 altogether.

These birds are about 18 months old and should start breeding this spring, but December?

What the heck we pulled out an incubator , put the eggs in, and waited. Thursday nite 2 eggs pipped and Friday morning we had 2 healthy Silver chicks. Two eggs were undeveloped and one that came late is in the incubator. Due to hatch later this week.

Anybody else experience this early egg laying?

Guess I should add we are in North East Pennsylvania and it has been cold since early December.

Kerry

 

[Tony K T]

Sounds like your gonna have a screwed up breeding season this year.Have any others laid eggs?Do you provide heat for them?
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[kbgh]

This is their first fertile year. I hope it was a fluke and they get the idea in the spring.

Our pens are protected but not heated. I know that a heated pen can screw up the breeding cycle.

KB

 

[Tony K T]

Are your pens fully wrapped?
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[kbgh]

Mostly but plenty of ventilation and it is definitely cold. We have to heat waterers and the floors are fozen.

 

[Tony K T]

I use to cover my pens completely and found that it screwed up their seasons.They started courtships around the same time,but slowed the laying season.



I have since changed the poly to just the top 3 ft and leave the bottom open with better results.The roof is covered yearround now with metal roofing.
In N.H.,Tony.