Pheasant breed guide
Ornamental and game pheasants: flight pens, feed, and hatching tips.
History & origins
- Ringneck pheasants were introduced to North America from China in the 1880s and are now the mainstay of game bird release programs.
- Golden, Lady Amherst, and Silver pheasants arrived as ornamental aviary birds and remain collector favorites.
Care & housing
- Use covered flight pens with soft netting tops — pheasants flush hard and break necks on wire.
- Feed 24-28% game bird ration and provide brush or cover to reduce stress and feather picking.
- Peepers or ample space prevent cannibalism in crowded grow-out pens.
Breeding tips
- Most species incubate 23-25 days; Golden and Amherst run about 22-23.
- Pen ornamental species as pairs; ringnecks tolerate 1 male to 6-8 hens.
- Chicks need high-protein starter and cover in the brooder or they pick each other.