by Jennifer Floyd |
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| Amherst pheasants (Chrysolophus amherstiae)
are one of the two species of ruffed pheasants. They are native to rocky
hillsides and bamboo groves in the mountains of central and western China,
extending slightly into Tibet and Burma. They are hardy in cold weather, easy to
raise, quite tame, and with gorgeous plumage. They hybridize readily with Golden
pheasants, as well as with most other sorts of common pheasants, so this should
be kept in mind when setting up breeding pens. One cock to two or three hens is
the usual ratio; a pen 12 feet by six feet would be sufficient for a pair, but
for a larger group, 12 X 24 feet would be needed. They will breed in their first
year, but the males do not develop full color until about 18 months (their
second autumn). They enjoy fresh greens and fruits, mealworms and sprouted
grains (wheat or oats), in addition to a good quality pheasant feed. The laying
season is in the late spring and early summer, usually beginning in late March,
and sometimes continuing through June. If hens are allowed to set in with the
other pheasants, the others will eat the chicks, so I prefer to utilize bantam
chickens to brood and rear the young pheasants. Hens will rear their own, but
you would need to take out any other pheasants from the pen, as broody Amherst
hens cannot be moved. Incubation time is 23 days. Half inch wire or solid walls
are needed to contain the chicks, which are also able to fly at a remarkably
early age. |
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| Amherst pheasant pair |
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| Amherst
cock displaying to hen |
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| For Additional Information & Resources: | |
American Pheasant & Waterfowl Society |
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FeatherSite |
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GBWF - Game Birds & Waterfowl |
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