Pheasants are bred for beauty; the males of this bird are very variegated and brightly colored. The homeland of the species is Southeast Asia, but in Russia pheasants have successfully acclimatized and are now also raised as poultry. Let's consider a general description, advantages and disadvantages of pheasant breeds, living conditions at home, and whether it is possible to keep them with chickens.
Popular pheasant breeds
Pheasants that can be raised in households come in a variety of breeds.Let's consider the description, pros and cons of some of them.
Hunting
Plumage of males: the body is covered with dark red and light brown feathers with black ends, the head and neck are blue with greenery. Females are gray-brown, not bright.
Representatives of the breed live in the steppes of Russia and neighboring countries and are often hunted.
Green
Males of this breed have a green chest and belly, a blue-gray back, wings and tail, and a blue and green head. Females are brownish and inconspicuous.
Representatives of this subspecies live 6-7 years.
Common pheasant
The head and neck of the male are yellow-green with a dark purple tint. Yellow-orange feathers with black edging on the back and copper-red rump. The tail is yellow-brown with a reddish-violet tint. The female is faded, sand-gray or brownish in color.
Despite the high cost, this is one of the most common breeds.
Diamond
Males are very variegated in color: the plumage combines white, blue and emerald colors. There are red feathers on the sides of the tail. Females are brownish, inconspicuous in color.
Due to the bright, attractive plumage of diamond pheasants, poultry farmers often prefer them.
Gold
Males have a red chest and belly, and a bright yellow back. The peculiarity and at the same time decoration of the breed is the yellow crest on the head and yellow feathers with a black stripe, descending from the neck in the form of a collar. Females with plumage characteristic of the species.
Golden pheasants are rightfully considered one of the most beautiful birds; even a couple of red-yellow individuals can decorate any farmstead.
Royal
The body of males is covered with yellow, red and white feathers edged with black. The head is white with a wide black stripe at eye level. The tail is long, composed of light feathers with black stripes. The females are, as usual, covered in light brown and black feathers.
Royal pheasants are very popular among poultry farmers along with other varieties.
Eared
The plumage of males is predominantly one-color: white, gray-blue and light blue (depending on the species). The tail is wide and relatively short. Females are colored the same as males, but are smaller in size. Feature of the species: on the head there are peculiar horns made of white feathers.
Eared pheasants are easily tamed and make contact with humans.
Himalayan
This pheasant is similar to the common pheasant, but has a white stripe on its wings and a tuft of fine feathers on its head.
An exotic bird can become a real decoration of a farmstead.
Silver
The birds have a blue-black chest and belly, and a silver-gray back and tail.
Silver pheasant is a breed for industrial breeding for meat production.
Taiwanese
Another name for the species is pile. The color of males consists of dark blue, black, green, crimson and brown areas. The back, tail feathers and crest are white.
Taiwanese pheasants can live up to 15 years.
Argus
One of the largest species of the family. Weighs 3-5 kg. Large wings and long tail. The plumage color is brown.
Horned
The feathers of males are different shades of red with white spots.
The lifespan of a bird is 12-13 years.
Peacock
The male and female are brownish-gray, with peacock-like feathers and dark green eyes.
Wedge-tailed
Females and males are colored approximately the same, but males have a crest on the head and sides.
Romanian
A hybrid of Japanese and local pheasants that were raised in captivity. Plumage in blue-green tones.
Yellow
The color resembles golden pheasant. But, unlike the latter, its body does not have red feathers, only yellow ones.
Lofurs
Males are colored red, blue and yellow, females are brown-gray. The genus includes 11 species, including Bulffer's and Siamese lofura and others.
Features of maintenance and care at home
Pheasants are kept in an enclosure and poultry house during the cold season. Conditions of keeping and care are similar to those for any poultry.
Is it possible to keep chickens together?
It is advisable to keep pheasants separate from any birds. They are smaller in size and often have a quarrelsome nature. The pheasant family has many species, many of which can be kept on your farm. These are colorful birds that are bred as ornamental birds. But it can also be grown for meat.
