Tell me about pheasent

[silverfilly]

When I was looking at the CAckle website I found the ornamental pheasent package here http://www.cacklehatchery.com/gamebirdpage.html

I placed my order but cant help going back to look at these birds. I dont know anything about pheasent but Im seriously thinking about this package, problem is its an asortment now with pheasent are these all just a mutation of one species or are the different? what would happen if you bred diff colors together?

What kind of housing do they need? I have a bunch of 10-12 ft long dog panels I could use to make 10X10 or larger pens, I am asuming they would need a top though right? how much room do they need? how many males per female?

how hard are they to brood?

I have not made a desicion yet and dont know if I will but I really love them. Any advise is apreciated.

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
I will tell you (and I hope I don't get censored or in trouble) that the origins of the Splash and Dark-throated are debated and I would be hesitant to house them with other Goldens. The Yellow is mutation of the Golden (called Red in captivitiy). The Golden and the Amherst are pure species (wish I could give you a link for more info, but they won't allow me to do so) and should be housed apart from each other.

Quote:
The larger is better, provide lots of shade as they are a natural forested species. Search the archives of this forum and you'll see more info on housing.

Very little issues in brooding, much like domestic fowl.

Dan Cowell

 

[silverfilly]

So if I got this package and I sold the splash or dark throated, then split up any lady amherst from the rest of the goldens Id have 2 pens of diff breeds and that would be ok? Then the goldens would just come out with different patterns depending what I got but they would still all be goldens correct?

Whats the minimum space required per bird so I have something to go by

 

[Kramer Farms]

10 x10 for a pair or trio would be about as small as you would want to go. As Dan said the bigger the better though.

I'm pushing our sale really hard right now, but in all honesty, come to it if your interested in pheasants. Come and look at the ones that are there and talk with the breeders selling them. and talk with me back in the back where all of the poultry will be. I'm the man in charge of that section of the sale.

If Dan was a really nice guy he could come and talk to us both and teach us both a thing or two about the birds.

Pheasants that are consigned as of right now.
1pr edwards
1pr silver
1pr lady amherst
red goldens
yellow goldens
reeves male
Possibly a pair of blue ear, swinhoe, and some odd and end ringneck varieties.

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
I would love to send you to look at my pheasant site to learn and read about the different species, but I guess I can no longer to so. Yes, you will need to keep the two species apart for a number of reasons that would have been included in the link.

If a normal Golden is bred with a Yellow Golden, you shouldn't have a variation in plumage - either one or the other. If you have variation in the plumage, they there is hybrid blood. The Splash Golden is fairly recent and in research on Golden mutations, I speculate their purity. The Dark-throat has been around for a 150 years, but they breed true, but their has been recent debate on their acutal origins.

I wouldn't worry about the space per bird, this is only relevant if you plan to cram a bunch in there for breeding and production. I would plan on an aviary that is about 6' high, 5' to 6' wide and 10' to 12' long for a pair of Goldens. Had a couple of feet on each side for the Amherst (bigger birds).

Be sure to include natural items such as logs, shrubs, rocks, and others in the aviary.

Some photos of our pheasants in planted aviaries:

Dan

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
I'm thinking about it, I read your updated post tonight and it has me intriguied. How far is it from KC?

Dan

 

[silverfilly]

What post are we talking about here? Id love to learn all I can.

 

[Teach97]

Listen to the Dan guy! That is some of the most sound advice I have heard about pheasants...

 

[silverfilly]

thanks, I think ill just buy some golden eggs. work with one breed before tring the lady amherst too. Lots of good info for me.

 

[Tony K T]

Hi Dan,Beautiful lewis silver.Do you have an extra hen?I have a pair I got from Mel Royal and they produced a pair of chicks for me,but the hen died.I still have the male,plus the original pair.Are yours also from Mel?
This is the guy(Dan) that can give you any answer to your questions.His site is the best.I visit it 2-3 times a day and can't imagine a day withouy it.Can I post your web site here Dan?
In N.H.,Tony.