Keeping Pheasants as Pets: Essential Guide for UK Owners

Pheasants can make wonderful pets for those prepared to meet their specific needs. While often seen as wild game birds, their beautiful plumage and unique behaviour add charm to the home aviary, where they can coexist with chickens and ducks. Most pheasants are as easy to keep as other poultry, but understanding their requirements ensures they thrive.

1. What to Consider Before Buying Pheasants

Before acquiring pheasants, first assess whether you have sufficient space. Whether kept in an aviary or a secure outdoor run, pheasants require room to roam and shelter protecting them from weather and predators. Countryside owners need to think about local predators and vermin, particularly rats, which are attracted to grain and eggs. Effective rat control, such as traps and outdoor cats, helps protect your birds.

Another factor is your neighbours. Cock pheasants are noisy, their calls comparable to a cockerel at dawn. If your property is close to others, this noise may cause disputes.

Finally, consider the time commitment. Pheasants should be locked in safely overnight and let out each morning. Consistency in care is essential, and you must arrange for daily attention if away from home for any length of time.

2. Aviary or Free Roaming: Deciding on Housing

Pheasant owners often debate between free roaming and aviary living. Naturally free roaming, pheasants can fly higher than chickens and may be lured away by wild pheasants. To prevent escape or intrusion by predators or wild birds, fences should be at least 5 feet high, with a soft mesh roof covering the area. Alternatively, clipping one wing or "brailing" (taping) one wing every four months can prevent flight, but these methods require regular maintenance and should be done responsibly and humanely.

Most novices prefer aviaries as they simplify predator protection. A pair of pheasants needs a run about 3m by 2m, with a height of at least 2m and a soft nylon mesh roof. Ensure the mesh edges are buried deep to deter burrowing animals. Provide a dry, windproof shelter for roosting; although hardy breeds can tolerate cold, protection from wind chill is vital. The aviary floor on grass with a dust bathing area helps maintain feather health and parasite control. Avoid muddy ground to reduce disease risk. Including perches at varying heights supports natural roosting preferences. Surrounding the run with sand helps keep the area dry, and shrubs or hiding places offer shelter from harsh weather.

3. Choosing the Right Pheasants to Buy

Seek reputable breeders who provide birds with clear histories; eggs or day-old chicks are seldom sold. Since pheasants are social birds, buying a pair or a trio (ideally one male and two females, all unrelated) is best to support natural behaviours and reduce stress. Multiple males in one group can result in aggression during breeding season.

Recommended beginner-friendly breeds include the Golden, Silver, and Lady Amherst's pheasants, known for their hardiness in cold weather and simple dietary needs. Knowing their age is important, as adults reproduce fertile eggs during their first year. When visiting breeders, observe how tame the birds are and ask for demonstrations on safe examinations of wings, beaks, and feet — this can inform you about the bird’s health and how accustomed they are to handling.

4. Feeding Your Pheasants

Pheasants thrive on a diet of corn mixed with specialised game bird pellets, available at poultry feed suppliers. Feeding should be accessible at all times during the day, either scattered liberally or placed in covered feeders within their run. Treats like peanuts and sultanas are popular but should be offered sparingly. Offering occasional fruit supplements can add variety.

Fresh, clean water must always be available. Additionally, providing grit such as flint or limestone enables effective digestion. Adjust feed quantities and composition seasonally, especially during colder months and breeding periods, to meet their nutritional needs.

5. Can You Eat Pheasant Eggs?

Pheasant eggs are edible, though typically smaller than chicken eggs, about half the size, with rich deep yellow yolks. They can be eaten boiled, poached, or fried, and offer a richer flavour compared to hen eggs. However, due to their smaller size and delicate flavour, they are less suited for baking purposes.

6. Additional Tips for Responsible Pheasant Ownership

Ensure daily routines are maintained, including locking birds in at night for safety. Pheasants require regular health checks, clean housing, and predator vigilance. If you plan holidays or extended absences, arrange reliable care to prevent neglect. Remember, pheasants are not typical affectionate pets but magnificent birds best admired for their natural beauty and behaviours.

For more information or to find pheasants for sale, always choose ethical breeders committed to the welfare of their birds.