Author Topic: Can anyone tell me about keeping pheasants? (Read 3279 times)

waterbuffalofarmer · « **on:** January 26, 2016, 01:25:26 pm »

Hi
I am interested in keeping pheasants, for meat of course. I can get hold of proper ring necked pheasants hatching eggs; I would like to know how long do I incubate them for? Would it be possible to let a hen incubate and raise them for me? What do i feed the chicks? how do I keep them in without them flying away and separate from my chickens? Also do they carry things which could be lethal to my chickens? Sorry for all the questions, but I would really like to raise game fowl for the table and I have never eaten homegrown pheasant before

verdifish · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2016, 02:01:04 pm »

Yep. Not unlike sheep they love to die!!!

verdifish · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2016, 02:02:51 pm »

Alternatively, join The gamekeeper forum they will answer all of your Q,s.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2016, 05:28:16 pm »

We once put wild pheasant eggs under a broody when a fox killed Mama and had a successful hatch, although the hen was rather puzzled when the poults dashed straight outside and started pecking for themselves and completely ignored her calling them to her. They were very flighty and when we judged them able to look after themselves and let them out they flew straight up to the top of the barn roof. They hung around the bird feeder quite a lot through the Winter, though.

Louise Gaunt · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2016, 01:33:45 pm »

Definitely ask a game keeper, they will know all the answers to your questions.

landroverroy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2016, 02:02:18 pm »

In answer to your questions:

A hen will incubate them nicely. Only problem is the chicks don't understand hen language so won't come when she calls. Therefore you need to make your run chick proof (ie very fine wire, or keep them in a shed).
If they can get out, because they don't respond to her calling, they will wonder off and die of starvation, cold or predation.
Feed them on pheasant or turkey chick crumbs which contain an anti blackhead medication and are higher in protein than poultry feed.
They don't carry things leathal to your chickens - more the other way round. So if possible rear them in an area that hasn't had poultry on, and worm the mother hen before putting her on the eggs.

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2016, 05:05:18 pm »

Quote from: landroverroy on January 27, 2016, 02:02:18 pm

In answer to your questions:

A hen will incubate them nicely. Only problem is the chicks don't understand hen language so won't come when she calls. Therefore you need to make your run chick proof (ie very fine wire, or keep them in a shed).
If they can get out, because they don't respond to her calling, they will wonder off and die of starvation, cold or predation.
Feed them on pheasant or turkey chick crumbs which contain an anti blackhead medication and are higher in protein than poultry feed.
They don't carry things leathal to your chickens - more the other way round. So if possible rear them in an area that hasn't had poultry on, and worm the mother hen before putting her on the eggs.

Thanks for that it has certainly given me a lot to think about. Does it take the same amount of time for the eggs to hatch as it does a chicken? Also how long should I leave them on the crumbs for and what food should they be fed after the turkey crumbs?
Thanks

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2016, 10:06:15 pm »

From memory I think they take a couple of days longer than hen eggs to hatch.
After turkey/game bird crumbs you move onto turkey/game bird grower pellets. You can keep them on crumbs as long as you like, but it will say on the bag. The grower pellets are cheaper as they are lower in protein.

adamhfc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2016, 10:59:40 pm »

Take 23 to 24 days to hatch only ever hastched them in an incubator tho

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2016, 01:03:21 pm »

OK thanks guys for the help I really appreciate it. I'll probably be hatching them in mid summer, would that be OK for them? It will be a very interesting project, can't wait

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:43:01 pm »

We found an abandoned nest (could see it from the house so knew she didn't come back), tried to hatch them, only got a male and female but always totally scatty. Female escaped and mink managed to get in the run and killed poor male, I'd just been going to turn him lose as well :-(.
It would be nice to think the female or her descendants are the ones who come asking for food now.