Thinking Ahead

[canucksar]

I plan on keeping 1 male and 2 females pheasants over the winter and will move them into the chicken coop with 6 chickens and 1 rooster. The coop is 10 x 12 and 6 feet high inside. Is this enough room? will they get along or is it going to be carnage? will the pheasants use the same nest boxes as the chickens or do I need something else?
Thanks

 

[farrier!]

I sure wish this forum was more active. I am getting some chukar eggs but after doing research decided against pheasants.
From what I had read the pheasants need lots of room and their own place and a much higher protein feed.
I would be pleased if someone with expedience will chime in here.....

 

[Birch Run Farm]

I am leaving my first three pheasants loose. I hatched them with chicken chicks and they were raised with them, ducklings and poults so they hang out with their buddies on the property. I assume as they get older they will expand their range but hope they stay around for winter feeding and shelter.

 

[canucksar]

Bump

 

[mellieb]

I have 2 female golden pheasants and a male who sleep seperate from my chickens but during the day i let them out loose with the chickens and ducks with no problems, they like to rooster up high at night, and just like a dark corner to lay and hatch eggs. hope this helps

 

[kikescove.com]

Its hard to answer your question canucksar because every pheasant is different. There is no right or wrong answer. It would depend on each individual birds personality. This can be influenced by how long you have had the bird, how close it is to being wild genetics, and even what species of pheasant you are talking about. It will depend on whether or not your pen is netted and will you be turning these birds out. If they are flighty, they may kill themselves on th ewire and enclosure every time you go in there. They will also stir up your chickens. Some roosters (chickens) are not tolerant and will pick fights and same goes withthe pheasant. We won't even get into the disease issues. I will assume you have a perfectly healthy flock and ideal conditions, but poultry often carry diseases that effect pheasants.

For the most part, I house and keep mine seperate, even if some do share the same building.

NOW, all the disclaimer stuff out of the way, I have kept pheasants with chickens just fine. I have had outside pheasants meander in with the chickens jsut fine. Its too late for this year, but for future reference, a real good way to make this happen is let a hen hatch a batch of pheasant eggs. She'll raise them and they will act a bit more like chickens. Some pheasants just never calm down though.

I hope this helps.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We went back and forth for awhile on getting pheasants. And when we finally did I was glad we did. They are "different" than other birds. Ours have don't pretty well with not picking and getting along. I had read somewhere about trimming the upper beak and that seems to stop the picking. I used dog toenail clippers and nipped about an 1/8 of an inch off the top beak, there was no bleeding and they didn't even flinch when I cut.

Steve in NC