Tips on care of pheasants

[Sjisty]

I received some golden pheasant eggs which, of course, I put in the incubator. Well, today they are pipping! I have never had pheasants before, so can anyone give me tips on feeding and caring for the chicks?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SA Farm]

Copy and Pasted. I'm hatching some *Ringnecks* this weekend, so this is what I found when I was researching:

Lack of sanitation in keeping this pheasant is often the cause of failure to raise the maximum number possible. Clean feeders and waterers must be provided. If pheasants are brooded on litter, it should be replaced each week.
Pheasants must be observed carefully for nose or toe picking. Any pheasant that has been picked should be removed from the pen and kept isolated until the wounds are healed.
Pheasant babies like to be kept like chicks in about 90-95 degrees F. Keep a close eye on the temps because if they get too hot, they could eat each other and if they get too cold, they will suffocate each other trying to get to the heat.
Pheasant babies need a lot of space when they are young. Overcrowding and bright lights (use red light) can also result in cannibalism. For outdoor grow pens they should have about 15-20 sq Feet per bird. The brooder should be .25 -.75 sq feet per bird.
For the first week, the pheasants should be on paper towels, after that pine shavings work nicely.
Pheasants do well on chick, gamebird, or turkey starter. Protein should be about 24%.
By three weeks, they can be outside on warm, sunny days. Make sure the pen is covered to protect from predators and also to keep the pheasants from flying away.
By six to eight weeks, they can move out to their flight pen as long as there is proper cover for them to hide in.

 

[Sjisty]

Eat each other???!!! I don't think I'll be keeping these guys!

 

[Sjisty]

Oh, and thanks for the info!

 

[SA Farm]

No problem

I read in the pheasant threads that if you put some hay with them, they will be less likely to resort to cannibalism since it keeps them busy. It seems to be a chick issue. The adults are gorgeous and apparently delicious too.

 

[Sjisty]

First one hatched - it looks like a tiny chicken!

 

[SA Farm]

 

[ksp1]

Ill take them I you decide to get rid o them

 

[oddbirdranch]

The info you posted sounds like it is for ringnecks -- totally different although the heat, food and age outdoors requirements apply, the cannibalism isn't likely if they are all the same age and fed properly. I would stay away from pine shavings, I had trouble when starting out with mine eating them and impacting their crops. Paper towels are fine, rice hulls work nicely and are safe if you can get them at your feed store. gamebird or turkey feed is needed, they need higher protein than chickens etc. so supplementing with meal worms, cooked eggs things like that is great. Around 8 weeks I also start with greens, veggies, fruits and grains.

 

[Sjisty]

Grand total of five little cuties!