Pheasants

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Anyone on the forum have experience raising pheasants? "do's and don't's".

-- David R In W. Tn. (srimmer@charter.net), October 07, 2002

Answers

David, how many at a time are you thinking of? We have only raised small numbers at a time, about 6 - 10. We have tow neighbors though that raise thousands each year. One raises them for pheasants forever and protects them, the other has a licensed shooting preserve - for hunting pheasants. Things get interesting around here in the fall. Give me some more precise questions and I will try to help. Joanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), October 07, 2002.

Joanie,Selling to restaurants is what I have in mind,This winter I will feel out the market which will give me a number to start with next spring.Space per bird,type of housing,type of pens,any information on raising them.What type setup does your neighbor have?

-- David R In W. Tn. (srimmer@charter.net), October 07, 2002.

david, The one with the hunting preserve has a barn, heated with LP chick heater lights he bought at an auction. I will have to ask about pensfor chicks and larger birds. I will find out and let you know. JOanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), October 08, 2002.

David, Here is the scoop. They got an old camper and gutted it. Hung their heat lights, ran automatic waterers along one side (it is kept in a pole barn), ran feeders next to the water. When the birds are small, dividers are put up separating trailer into a few smaller pens. When the birds are large enough to jump the dividers, the dividers are removed and birds are given the run of the trailer. When they start trying to fly, they put blinders on them. These are tiny plastic rings that clip into the nose holes on each side of the beak. These prevent the birds from flying too far and also helps prevent cannabalism (don't ask me how). Then doors opposite the feeders are opened so that the birds can go outside into a VERY large outdoor pen. There they are raised until grown. They raised 4000 phesants this year with a mortality rate of about 200 - 300. They say that was a good year. Hope this helps

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), October 09, 2002.

Thanks Joanie,Just the kind of information I was looking for.

-- David R In W. Tn. (srimmer@charter.net), October 09, 2002.


I know nothing about raising them but my son worked for a pheasant farm when he was a teen. All I remember was him coming home covered in scratches from catching them. I guess long sleeves might help but they apparently have pretty nasty spurs.

-- Kathy (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), October 09, 2002.

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