How to Raise Pheasant Chicks

Pheasants

Pheasants are native to Asia and Russia, and are most commonly used as game birds. Many chicks are solely raised to be released for hunting purposes. Pheasants range in color from white, yellowish orange, red, brown, and black with some green or blue. They have become a common bird to raise, with up to 10 million birds held in captivity in the United States. Pheasant chicks have short tails that develop into long, feathery tails as adults. Raising pheasant chicks can be time-consuming, requiring plenty of attention to proper heating, water and food.

Instructions

1. Prepare a large caged area for the pheasant chicks. For example, for every pheasant that is 3 to 6 weeks old, create about one square foot of cage space. Provide two doors for the cage, one allowing access for cleaning the cage and providing food and water for the chicks. Disinfect the cage area before putting the birds in. Use dry shavings or straw litter for the bottom of the caged area.

2. Provide heating for the pheasant chicks with heat lamps with at least 250-watt infrared bulbs. Use one for every 100 chicks. Hang the lamps approximately 18 inches from the bottom of the cage. This will help keep the temperature at floor level at 95 to 100 degrees. Warmth is vital to a pheasant chick's survival.

3. Feed chicks that are 6 weeks and younger up to 30 percent protein medicated gamebird or turkey starter. Once they are older than 6 weeks they can eat 20 percent protein grower feed. Make food available for the pheasant chicks at all times.

4. Provide water using a narrow-lipped waterer for every 75 chicks. Water is extremely important for the chicks' survival. Keep water available at all times, refilling whenever the water runs low. Clean the lip of the waterer at least once a day to prevent the growth of fungus.

5. Allow pheasant chicks to run around in a larger pen in addition to the cage once they are 2 to 3 weeks old. This allows them to get more exercise. The pen should be made out of chicken wire and connected to the second door of the cage where the chicks live. When you lift the cage door the pheasant chicks should have access to the pen without you fearing any will get loose. This should be done only during warm, sunny days and throughout the day. About an hour before sunset, begin slowly coaxing the chicks back into the cage. You can use branches or pieces of wood to guide the chicks in the right direction. If you have more than 100 chicks allow more than an hour to get them back into the cage.

   Place alfalfa and branches in the pen for the chicks to play with and peck at. This will help them avoid pecking each other and causing bleeding, injury or death.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice blood on the chicks or on the flooring, this is a sign that the chicks are pecking at each other and need branches in their cage and pen to peck at instead.

References

• Pheasant Chicks Farm: "raising pheasants"
• Pheasant Resources: "Rearing Tips"