Pheasant question?

hobble · #1 (**permalink**) 31-08-2008, 09:29 PM

Could any one give me any advice about a pheasants?
I live on the coast in woodland and a captive pheasant escaped 3 months ago from a neighbour up the hill and has become a regular visitor to my garden.
I feed him mixed corn most days.
What will he do in the winter? Where does he sleep?
I would like him to have a mate/mates ( I read somewhere they like several!)
Could I release some females in the spring for him? Where would I find some?
I do not want them to eat but like to see them wandering about.
We have no other pheasants any where near us.
Also how far can they fly?
Will the fox be after him?
Any answers gratefully received.

Kev-B · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2008, 10:09 PM

Hi Hobble ..

This would appear to be more a series of questions ...

So .. let's take them one at a time ...

You say a "captive" Pheasant .. but don't mention what breed .. is it the "usual" kind, (Phasianus colchicus) .. typically seen in most parts of the Country ? .. or is it an "Ornamental" Pheasant ? ..

You say there are no other Pheasants anywhere near you .. but obviously there are .. your neighbour up the hill has some .. if you know, without doubt that the Bird in question belongs to someone else .. you have a legal obligation to tell the owner .. That said, if its the "usual" type of Pheasant he/she might have a problem proving ownership .. ("penned" Pheasants usually stray in order to find a water or grit source) ..

If you want more Pheasants .. why not approach your neighbour ? .. they might be willing to sell some on ..

Pheasants have a liking for wooded areas, where they can roost at night .. during the day they enjoy foraging in crops such as Kale, Maize etc .. with rows in between so that they can dust bathe, sun themselves & collect vital grit ..

In the winter .. the Pheasant will simply carry on foraging .. I doubt that you're its only food source ..

As for the Fox .. well, sorry to be harsh but it will just have to take its chances .. like every other prey item ...

I hope this helps & I hope you'll forgive the directness of my reply .. (not intended to offend) ....

Bye for now ..

Kev ..

snake · #3 (**permalink**) 31-08-2008, 10:39 PM

Hi Hobble,
Your pheasant will stay with you all the while you put feed out for him. This time of the year there is plenty of natural feed for him and he visits you because it is an easy source of food for him. As the winter comes on and the natural food starts to dry up you must increase the amount of feed you put out to keep him in the area. A good way would be to put out a feeder of some sort for him, He could then feed as required. This could be as simple as just cutting a slit in the bottom of a plastic drum, fixing it to a tree or stake at a height that would make it easy for him to reach, then filling it with corn.
scatter some seed beneath the drum and he would very quickly become used to feeding from it.Alternatively you must make sure there is plenty of feed for him shortly after first light and again before he goes to roost.
Do this and he should stay all winter.
For the most part Pheasants like to roost in trees and unless disturbed they will roost in the same tree every night.
With regards to a mate for him they do like to gather a harem but he would also be just as happy with only one.
Locate a hen Pheasant in the spring, a lot of gamekeepers catch up their hen birds at that time of year and I am sure that they would provide you with one or two. Keep them penned up for a few weeks then let them out when they have become accustomed to their surroundings.
Pheasants are not birds that are great at flying. They much prefer to run away from any danger than to expend a lot of energy by taking flight.
Flying for a pheasant is generally the last resort.
Pheasants, like any other wild bird, can fall victim to a fox. Saying this, a fit, healthy and alert bird can normally keep out of harms way.
Hope this Helps.

hobble · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2008, 09:27 AM

[quote=Kev-B;329311]Hi Hobble ..

This would appear to be more a series of questions ...

So .. let's take them one at a time ...

You say a "captive" Pheasant .. but don't mention what breed .. is it the "usual" kind, (Phasianus colchicus) .. typically seen in most parts of the Country ? .. or is it an "Ornamental" Pheasant ? ..

You say there are no other Pheasants anywhere near you .. but obviously there are .. your neighbour up the hill has some .. if you know, without doubt that the Bird in question belongs to someone else .. you have a legal obligation to tell the owner .. That said, if its the "usual" type of Pheasant he/she might have a problem proving ownership .. ("penned" Pheasants usually stray in order to find a water or grit source) ..

Hi Kev-B thanks for your advice. He is a normal pheasant.. The original owner knows he is with me and is happy he is now semi-wild. I think he only kept 2 just for the sound they made!!
He has just been for a visit so I will continue to feed him.
Thanks for your advice as well, Snake, I will post occasionally to let you know how he is getting on.
For some reason my daughter has named him Graham!!