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These originated within feral stock in Europe over 100 years ago. The males are entirely dark with a glossy green, blue and purple shade to them. The females are black with less of the purple and blue feathering, mainly on the breast area. They lay small brown eggs and have an incubation period of 24-25 days. A favorite variety for release, they display a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets.
Hatchlings Melanistic Mutant Pheasants are very tiny when first hatched and are black in color with white or cream colored markings around the neck and sometime wing area. These tiny birds grow fast and can fly by two weeks of age. Start birds in a brooder just like other game birds or poultry. Feed hatchlings a game bird starter and keep fresh water available at all times. Placing marbles or small stones in chick waterer to avoid soaking or drowning of chicks.
Plumage
Pheasants grow fast and young males soon begin to grow in their colorful adult plumage which first shows as small blue feathers. The bright red facial wattle that adult males have, begins as a dull red patch around the eye area when they are several weeks old. At this time, females show small brown speckles on their backs and may have a few blue feathers also; however, they do not develop the red wattle like the male pheasant.
Canabalism If pecking begins, trim the very tip of the top-beak only, with fingernail clippers. This will work for a short period, and will need to be repeated at least weekly. Hanging a head of lettuce or broccolli from a string may also help keep young birds attention for a while. While maintaining temperature, keeping lighting to a low level using an infrared light will help avoid canabalism. Overcrowding leads to increased canabalism.
Peeping Pheasants At around 6 weeks of age pheasants intended for release should be placed in a flight pen. This allows the birds to develop and condition wing muscles before release to the wild. At this time, you may want to peep your pheasants to avoid canabalism. Peepers are small blinders that prevent pheasants from pecking each other. Copy and paste the informational video peeping pheasants/ how to peep pheasants for info on the correct way to peep a pheasant. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZr2-VPkXM
19 week old Melanistic Hen
19 week old Melanistic Male
More Information on Pheasants (first time owners)
Pheasants are wild birds, and require plenty of room. They are not household pets and will not do well inside a home. One or two per pen will get along well with chickens or other poultry. Ring neck pheasants have spurs. Although they will not attack you, great care must be taken while handling these birds to avoid being scratched. Wearing long sleves and gloves may help avoid injury. They have a tendancy to fly straight up when startled or released from captivity. It is best to be inside of the pen when you release the birds to avoid escape.
They can become trusting if the owner remains calm and doesn't startle them when feeding them. I feed a combination of game bird food, seeds/grains such as wild bird seed, a little scratch, and greens. Before & during breeding season they are given game bird breeder feed, and always pleanty of fresh clean water. Like other fowl, game birds need worming. You can find more information on when and how to worm birds online.
You may find more information on pheasants at your local library; or, by going to your favorite search engine: such as google, yahoo search etc. and typing in the search terms that you are interested in.
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