Eared pheasant: description and varieties of breeds, maintenance and care

Eared pheasants are one of the largest representatives of this species of birds. The bird has a non-standard appearance: colorful plumage and bright head coloring. However, not only these features force farmers to breed pheasants. The bird is unpretentious in care, is characterized by frost resistance and, if necessary, is able to switch to pasture.

History of Appearance

According to documented chronicles, pheasants were first domesticated near the Greek settlement of Phasis, which gave the bird its name. Later, these birds began to be bred on the territory of modern China and Tibet.It is here that the largest population of eared pheasants is found. This is due to the fact that this bird is considered sacred in Buddhist culture.

General description and characteristics of eared pheasants

These birds are distinguished by the following features:

• elongated body with bright plumage;
• strong lower limbs;
• bright border around the eyes;
• no difference in appearance between hens and roosters;
• chicks in the first year are brown-gray in color.

A characteristic feature of this type of pheasants is that this bird lives mainly in flocks in which up to 250 individuals gather. But during the mating season, birds settle in pairs.

In the winter season, birds in the wild settle at an altitude of up to 2.8 thousand meters. But in summer, birds live in pine or oak forests near water bodies. Birds feed mainly on berries.

This bird is distinguished by the fact that in the moment of danger it flees without using its wings. At the same time, pheasants are capable of long flights, overcoming hundreds of meters at a time. Birds are characterized by frost resistance. These birds can live in cold climates.

Varieties of breeds

Officially, these birds are classified into 3 species. But some researchers also single out the Tibetan breed separately.

Blue

This species of birds is more common in China.

Pros and consbody weight does not exceed two kilograms;high productivity for meat (weight reaches 2.1 kilograms);large eggs;in one clutch there can be up to 12 eggs;friendly disposition, quickly accustomed to a person.the need for a pair (that is, each male needs a female);aggressive behavior during the mating season;the need for spacious enclosures.

This bird grows up to 95 centimeters in length. And only 53 centimeters falls on the tail.

Brown

This breed lives mainly in Mongolian and Chinese forests.

Pros and consincreased productivity (weight reaches 2.7 kilograms);strong body;consumes predominantly plant foods;non-conflict.peanuts must be included in the diet, which increases maintenance costs;the walking area and enclosures must be planted with plants, as the bird consumes the roots of grasses.

Adults reach 100 cm in length. At the same time, 50 centimeters fall only on the tail.

White

Pros and consgood frost resistance;developed muscles;good productivity for eggs.conflict (manifested mainly in relation to relatives);females do not incubate eggs;emit loud and constant cries during the mating season.

White eared pheasants stand out from other breeds with their endurance. But these birds do not tolerate heat and high humidity. In addition, representatives of this breed spend most of the day looking for worms.

Tibetan

Tibetan pheasants live in the mountains. But this bird is often bred in households.

Pros and consa large yield of meat, which led to the popularity of the species among farmers;good productivity for eggs.inability to tolerate heat and high humidity;aggressive disposition during the mating season;the diet must include expensive feed.

Externally, Tibetan pheasants are distinguished by blue feathers on their heads and black feathers on their wings. Females are smaller than males.

Pros and cons

Pros and conslarge, fleshy body;peaceful disposition;subject to training;frost-resistant;unpretentious in care.

Among the shortcomings of this bird, aggressive behavior during the mating season is distinguished. A characteristic feature of these birds is cannibalism, which develops in a flock due to lack of free space.

Maintenance and Care

Eared pheasants prefer to live in spacious enclosures with an area of at least 18 m2. These birds love dust and sun treatments, as well as spraying water from drinkers. In the poultry house, it is recommended to hang a turnip or beet at a height of 40 centimeters.

When organizing space for pheasants to live, consider the following:

• straw, sawdust or fine sand used as bedding;
• the soil should be dry and well-drained;
• The soil next to the poultry house is sown with fast-growing grass, as birds are constantly looking for food in the soil.

Eared pheasants do not tolerate high humidity. Therefore, the bedding has to be changed frequently.

Feeding

In the warm season, birds are given juniper berries, cranberries or strawberries. During the nesting period, small invertebrates and insects are included in the diet. In winter, birds are transferred to dried flowers and wolf berries.

Also at home, you can give special mixtures that make up to 75% of the diet. Feeding birds is also recommended with fresh grass and fruits.

Breeding and possible diseases

Eared pheasants find a mate between May and June. After that, females begin to lay up to 10 eggs within 2-3 days. The duration of the incubation period reaches 29 days.

Chicks are actively gaining weight. Already at 6 months, young animals weigh the same as adults. Human participation in breeding birds is minimized.

This variety of pheasants suffers mainly from infectious pathologies:

• coccidosis;
• pox;
• aspergillosis;
• pasteurellosis;
• botulism and others.

These diseases develop mainly due to non-compliance with the conditions of detention (high humidity and more).

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