How to Raise a Red & Gold Pheasant

With magnificent feathers and an exotic heritage, the red and gold pheasant is often desired on small farms. These pheasants, whose origins are in the mountains of central China, require a certain method of raising for them to flourish. They also require upkeep to maintain their plumage, especially for the male, and their contentment with their surroundings. The birds make less noise than chickens -- most of it coming from female pheasants -- with a sound like a very low warble.

Things You'll Need

  • Pheasant chick
  • Chicken coop, with roosts
  • Heating blanket (optional)
  • Hay
  • Chicken run
  • 25 percent turkey starter crumble
  • Food dish
  • Water dish
  • 20 percent turkey starter crumble
  • 16 percent layer pellets
  • Mixed grains
  • Fresh vegetables and fruit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure the coop is clean and secured before placing the chick in it. Insert hay in one corner to keep it warm and place the heating blanket underneath the hay if the chick is extremely young.

    • 2

      Check that the run is secured to the coop -- red and gold pheasants are elusive in the wild and once escaped are difficult to find.

    • 3

      Place the 25 percent turkey starter crumble in the food dish and fill the water dish, ensuring clean water is replaced in it every day. Feed the chick with the crumble until it grows larger and begins to molt in to its adult feathers.

    • 4

      Replace the starter crumble with the 20 percent crumble. Give this to the chick until it reaches young adulthood.

    • 5

      Feed the adult pheasant with the layer pellets, adding mixed grains every second day to vary the diet. Place fruit and vegetables, when able, in the coop for better nutrition.

    • 6

      Keep a ratio of three hens to a male when breeding the pheasants, for the male can harass a smaller number of hens, causing injury or death to the hen.