How to Feed Pheasant Chicks

Pheasant chicks must be fed.

Ringneck pheasants are a popular target for hunters. Most pheasants harvested by hunters are raised in pens. The reason for this is that there are just not as many pheasants in the wild as there used to be. Many farms raise pheasants, and these birds are then sold to hunt clubs to be harvested by hunters. The young pheasants must be raised in pens until they are old enough to be released onto the grounds of the hunt club. It is not difficult to feed young pheasants, but some knowledge of their feeding habits is required because feeding them is not as easy as simply throwing them some chicken feed.

Things You'll Need

• Game bird or turkey starter crumbles
• Game bird or turkey starter pellets
• Game bird or turkey scratch feed

Instructions

1. Purchase game bird or turkey starter crumbles for birds that are zero to eight weeks old. The feed that you buy must contain between 28 and 30 percent protein. Feed the chicks out of one 2-foot-long feeder for every 50 chicks you are feeding.

2. Purchase game bird or turkey grower pellets that is about 22 percent protein for pheasants that are nine to 16 weeks old. You need to increase the size of your feeders as your birds grow.

3. Purchase scratch grain that is 9 percent protein. This feed will be used until your chicks are ready for release. The scratch grain is similar to the seeds the pheasants will find around the release site.

Tips & Warnings

• Pheasants spill lots of food from their feeders. Ensure that you clean up this spillage regularly.

References

• New York State Department of Conservation: Cooperative Day Old Pheasant Chick Guide.
• Pheasant Chicks Farm: Raising Pheasants