Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
some of the beautiful ones I have wanted for years: the Lady Amhersts, Goldens, Red
Goldens, and Silvers. The proper space and facilities are key to keeping these birds
healthy and handsome.
Chinese Ringneck
The distinct metallic-sounding call, the attractive long tail, and the characteristic strut of
the male with his ear tuft feathers fluffed are hard to resist. Ringnecks are an attractive
bird originating in Asia. Although introduced to North America as a game bird, they
have so successfully adapted and become established on this continent, many residents
think fondly of them as a native species.
As in the wild, they do not seem to have much trouble living and growing in captivity.
I was quite successful rearing them with chickens and using adoptive chicken hens to
hatch and raise them (see Adoptive Moms for Fussy Chicks on page 236 ) . The adopted
birds, in many cases, were gentle enough they could be turned out to run with the chick-
ens and would still come into the barn at night. This may not always work, but when
hatched under chicken hens, pheasant chicks really seem to adapt chickenlike behaviors.
This is a good alternative and easy way for someone to get started in raising game birds.
If you do not have any chicken hens to raise them, then raise them with some docile
breed of chicks that likely will have a calming influence.
Ornamental Pheasants
It is beyond the scope of this topic to cover each of the colorful wild species of pheas-
ants. Many breeds are available, though — Golden, Reeves, Lady Amherst, Silver, to
name a few — and each is extremely colorful. The males are brightly colored and, in the
case of some breeds, take several years to mature to vibrancy and fertility. The females
are fairly drab and designed to blend into the natural setting. This provides camouflage
protection for setting on eggs in the wild.
If you hope to raise one of these ornamental pheasant breeds, you'll need a wide, tall,
covered pen — 6 to 8 feet (1.8-2.5 m) wide, 20 feet (6 m) long, and 6 feet (1.8 m) tall
— enough space for a single male and two or three hens to move and properly develop
their tails. You might manage with smaller facilities, but your birds will be happier and
their feathers will retain their lovely shape with more space. This size pen will accom-
modate a trio or more. As long as you provide shelter from storms, pheasants can handle
most any natural event.
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