Cultivation and maintenance of pheasants at home

Today, it is increasingly possible to meet pheasants in the farmsteads. From just a beautiful bird, they turn into a profitable business.

That is why in this article we will talk in detail about the breeding and maintenance of pheasants at home and in the garden, find out what to feed, how to care for and what to do with them further.

Appearance of Pheasant

Pheasants have a peculiar and memorable appearance. Males are easily recognized by their bright plumage and long tail. Females are gray with brown and black specks all over their bodies. Males differ depending on their habitat. Head and neck in green or blue-violet.

There are no feathers on the rings around the eyes, the rings themselves are red. Body color varies from orange on the back to bright red on the chest. Feathers with a metallic sheen. The length of the males reaches 80 cm, the females are smaller.

Keeping conditions for breeding on industrial and personal plots

Breed poultry in industrial and household plots. Industrial farms are focused on accelerated growth and increase in the number of poultry. Cultivation is carried out for the purpose of making a profit and returning all the costs of the business.

In industrial mode, the main condition is a large area for agriculture. In the farm, the population of pheasants can be up to 10 thousand individuals.

Household farms provide for the breeding of poultry on a smaller scale, for their own needs and part for sale.

For a novice farmer, the business of growing pheasants at home from scratch is better to start with several families and gradually increase the number. Eggs can be incubated by female pheasant, you can put them under the hen or use an incubator. Start better with silver breedIt is best adapted to the temperate climate. Unpretentiousness in feed and quick weight gain contribute to quick payback. Possible additional profits from the sale of eggs and feathers.

To gain experience, you must go through the whole cycle from reproduction to the sale of the finished product.

Cultivation of pheasants at home in the

pen. Where to start growing home pheasant

A bird is placed in cages if the main goal is to earn money on the sale of meat by rapidly increasing its mass. During the breeding season, the density of planting will be 1-3 individuals per 1m².At the same time in the diet will be used in large quantities of protein. Until the age of 2 months, you can use feed for turkey poults and broilers containing 24-28% protein.

. To increase the number of pheasants, they are placed in a spacious open-air cage with a paddock. Sand is considered the best soil for building. The aviary is built at the rate of 2 m² per individual in the sleeping area and 10 m² in the walking area. The walls are made of metal mesh. From above cover with a kapron grid. A network of such material will not be able to injure flying birds. To protect the birds from the sun and rain, part of the cage is built with a canopy.

To get closer to the natural habitat conditions, a dry tree and bushes are placed inside the cage for use by the birds as a perch. Baths are installed with a mixture of ash and sand for swimming.

Couple or family of birds are created depending on the breed chosen. In the family, one male accounts for 2-3 females.

As the number of females in the family increases to 4–7, egg production decreases, and the number of fertilized eggs decreases.

From February to August, the maintenance of pheasants in the garden plot is possible in separate enclosures, then they are transferred to the common one.

Pheasants are susceptible to stress. A loud sound or sudden movement may scare them. Birds remember the person feeding them, their voice, their clothes. If there are any drastic changes, this can lead to stress. The result will be a reduction in egg production.

Birds are not afraid of frost, they can be kept in the same premises all year round.

Frost-resistant pheasants

Characteristics of pheasants

Adult pheasant weighs from 1 to 2 kg. Females are smaller than males. Silver pheasant on reaching 7 months weighs 1.2 kg.
Males are hooked to females in February or March. During the breeding period from March to July, the female pheasant lays about 50 eggs.

Duration of masonry from 2.5 to 3 months. The weight of one egg is about 30 grams. Nests of females are built all over the aviary. Sometimes they forget about the location. Periodically, you need to collect eggs for laying in the incubator or put them under the hen.

Pay attention to laying eggs. Each breed of pheasants has different places for laying eggs: grass, shrubs, and wood. You can help the birds make nests. To do this, pull out a small hole and cover it with dry grass or moss. For nests in the trees fit willow baskets.

During the breeding period, two males cannot be run in one enclosure. By nature, males are very aggressive and can fight to the death of one of them.

The diet of pheasant is similar to chicken. Pheasants prefer green fodder and wet mash. Per day pheasant eats 100 grams of feed.

. Breeds for breeding

. The most popular for breeding are 3 breeds.

Diamond

The highland of China is considered the birthplace of the breed. He has many flaws, and from the merits only the appearance. Performs a decorative function. Growing time consuming due to compliance with temperature.

Frost at 25-30 degrees for them is destructive.

In winter, the room should be heated. Due to the lack of exotic plants, there must always be vitamins, herbs and fish oil for food in the feed. Rarely reach a mass of 1 kg. For the season bring about 30 eggs.

Silver

One of the most popular types of breeding houses. It comes from China, but it has adapted very well to the climatic conditions of Russia. Frosts of 30 degrees tolerate well due to thick plumage. The breed is sensitive to drafts.

The average weight is 5 kg. Differs in high egg production - 50 eggs per season.

To increase egg production under the female, 5-6 eggs are left in the nest to stimulate its productivity.

Considered one of the most suitable species for breeding due to its high egg production and rapid weight gain when fattening to meat. Stuffed animals are eagerly bought to decorate hunting houses and restaurants.

Golden

One of the most popular pheasants for decorative breeding. Due to low weight it is not grown on an industrial scale. Mass rarely more than 1kg. Low egg production - 25 pieces per season. Tastes of meat are not of particular value.

Sensitive to frost. The temperature limit is -20 degrees with no drafts. Contained in a warm house. The main feed is greens. To replenish trace elements, vitamins C, B6, B12, and cod liver oil are necessarily present in food.

Kamagan pheasant farming

How to feed pheasants: detailed instructions for beginners

The main feed for the chicks is a boiled egg mixed with greens. Water is replaced by serum. Gradually add compound feed for chickens. On the 5th day of life, you can give millet porridge, cooked in milk. In two months, transferred to the main diet of adult birds.

Adult pheasants are fed with wheat, corn, barley, fresh vegetables. Ascorbic acid and some sugar are added to the feed to increase immunity. Fish meal, fish oil and chalk are used to inject trace elements into the body. Pheasants need to drink only cold water. The daily rate of food is 100g. Costs per year for 1 bird - 36 kg.

Feed and water is placed under a canopy in the shade. For this, use large and convenient feeders and drinkers. The main thing is that they were in sufficient quantities to avoid frequent visits to the house.

During the breeding season, the addition of antibiotics( biovit, penicillin, erythromycin) to the diet increases the number of fertilized eggs by 35-40%.

In winter, the amount of feed is increased and vitamins are added to it to improve disease resistance. In the winter, electric lighting is additionally connected, increasing the length of daylight hours to 14 hours. Under such conditions, pheasants will continue to develop normally and will not lose weight.

.This may be green grass, insects, beetle larvae, worms. The exact amount of feed per day is determined empirically. If the feed remains in the feeder, then its amount is reduced until the birds cease to choose their favorite ingredients, and will eat it completely. The pheasant is the only bird that eats the Colorado potato beetle. From such food, they noticeably gain weight. If pheasants with tied up wings are let out on potato beds, they will save the garden from this pest. After the chicks appear, they are kept in a specially prepared area for 3 weeks. The density should be no more than 30 heads per m². Pheasant chicks are sensitive to temperature. In the first days after the appearance, the temperature should be 28ºС.Gradually it is reduced, but not below 20ºС. Additional artificial lighting for chicks is not required. Light day is enough for them to grow and develop. Pheasants in the pen Diseases, treatment and care In case of a pheasant violation of the traditional daily routine, pay attention to the health of the bird. When signs of disease are detected, appropriate measures are taken. Diseases of pheasants are divided into 3 groups: Infectious diseases Smallpox. Viral disease. It has a high mortality rate. Signs: a rash on the paws and parts of the head without feathers. The bird has shortness of breath, a hoarse voice, exhaustion occurs. The cause of death is suffocation. Treat antiviral drugs, apply a solution of Lugol on the rash. Laryngotracheitis. The virus is transmitted by air, after consuming contaminated feed and water. The latent period is 1-5 days. Signs of loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath. Egg production is reduced, the eggshell is broken in eggs. Treatment prescribed by the doctor after the results of laboratory tests. Aspergillosis. The causative agent is a fungus that infects the bronchi and air-breathing bags. Signs: excessive thirst, beak and legs become bluish color. Antifungal aerosols are prescribed for treatment. Non-contagious Diseases Dermatitis. This is an inflammation that occurs after a skin injury. The affected area becomes red and covered with a brown crust. The treatment is long, becausebird constantly pecks itchy fate. For the treatment prescribed antibiotics and vitamins, wounds smeared with iodine. Emphysema. It is characterized by the appearance of swelling all over the body, displacing under pressure. After piercing, air escapes from the holes. The reason - the gap wall of the air bag. The bird almost does not move, stops eating. Treated by limiting mobility in a tight cage and applying a bandage on the wings. At the same time pierce the bubbles and treated with an antiseptic. Invasive Diseases Scabies. A common disease caused by ticks. Signs: from the corner of the beak, lime overlays of white color spread, capturing the whole head. The feather cover on the head disappears. Gradually, the spread throughout the body. For treatment, the affected area is cleaned of overlays and lubricated with a 0.15% neguven solution. Infection with lice. These are small insects living on bird feathers. Infection occurs through mosquitoes and blackflies. In warm times, most birds are infected. Pheasants themselves cope with them, taking baths from a mixture of sand and ash. In advanced cases, the bird is treated with insecticidal agents. Pheasant female with offspring . Advantages and disadvantages of When considering a business of growing pheasants, some of its drawbacks are revealed: The need to invest significant funds for profit. The fastidiousness of the bird requires the creation of conditions for living and proper selection of food. Implementation may be complicated due to the high cost of meat. Business Benefits: Meat is dietary, has excellent taste. Great demand for it at restaurants and shops. Lack of competition in this area, you can take your market segment. Profitability: whether to breed? According to expert estimates, business profitability is at the level of 45-55%.For poultry this is high performance. Investment pays off in 6-12 months. The cost of farmed pheasant meat is similar to the cost of duck meat. When grown for 4 months for meat, an optimum weight of 1-1.5 kg is achieved. Consumption of feed is 4-5 kg. For the entire feeding period, the cost of maintaining 1 individual is about 400 rubles. When selling live weight, you can help out 600 rubles. The cost of fresh meat will be 700 rubles. When breeding at home, net profit is about 300 rubles. Reviews “Not only does the pheasant have the finest meat and tasty eggs that have medicinal properties - gastric ulcers can be treated once or twice or three( 30 eggs) and you will arrive for the second portion anyway- Gastritis - just a chicken egg will already remind you of a silicone hose), but it is also indispensable for healthy nutrition and sports and fitness especially! Pheasant meat( for which they value it) has dietary properties and practically has no fat - 0.5% against chicken 26-28%. .. ” Forum of Poultry Scientists“ The business is interesting and promising. And not only because pheasant meat itself is fantastic! Recently, the demand for hunting pheasants and hunting organization is rapidly gaining momentum. What, why, and in Ukraine they love pheasant meat. ”Forum House The business of growing pheasants is becoming more and more popular. In a short period of time the farm pays off and brings a stable profit. The implementation of such a project is possible even for a novice entrepreneur.