Exotic Pheasants Captive Management Pheasants are one of the most popular and Propagation today. and colorful of all display birds. For cen The Wattled Pheasant from the interior turies their exotic appearance, along with of Borneo has recently been propagated in by Mickey Dllson relative ease ofcaptive management, have Mexico for the first time. It is hoped they made them common in most avicultural will become more available as they are and zoological collections. near Hue (Way). It was first imported in very striking birds which need to be estab No other group of birds has made such 1925 to France by Dr. Delacour, when he lished in captivity. an impact on the social and economical brought some 15 individuals to his collec All firebacks make excellent display history of mankind,since domestic poultry tion. It was successfully propagated and birds as they are usually tame and in warm are descendant of the junglefowl, them distributed to zoo's and aviculturists in climates,quite hardy. In cold areas artifical selves members of the pheasant family. Europe and America. But recently it has heat is necessary. Game Pheasants have been hunted for cen become increasingly difficult to breed and The Argus Pheasants are junglebirds turies both in their native distribution and abnormalities in plumage are appearing. found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra as transplanted sport bird for western man. Since these birds are likely extinct in the and Borneo. They have always been priz Few zoo visitors fail to have at least a natural distribution, the World Pheasant ed in collections because of their interest limited knowledge of what a pheasant is, Association has recently started a Stud ing display and beautiful long secondary as they have affected the lives of most Book under the direction ofDr. Tim Lovel feathers which grow four feet long on adult people, serving as food source, sport or as to attempt to random pair birds as much as males. display birds in parks and gardens. possible. To date, 240 birds in 93 collec They lay only 2 eggs per clutch so large There are 16 genera comprising 48 rec tions have been identified and I urge any numbers are not reared and these birds ognized species ofPheasants. In some spe collections with Edward's to participate in have always been rare in captive cies there are numerous subspecies or this Stud Book project. collections. races bringing the number of forms to Swinhoe Pheasants, a closely related The Palawan Peacock Pheasant is an about 150. species to Edward's is a success story for other warm climate bird which has been All of the pheasants, including peafowl captive propagation. An inhabitant of the decimated on the Island of Palawan by and junglefowl, are found in Asia except interior ofTaiwan, it was extremely rare in forest destructions. It has always been the Congo Peacock of Africa. its' native range. First imported to Europe scarce in its range and very localized. During the past 50 years radical changes in the 1860's it has bred in captivity ex Since the 1930's there have been several have taken place in much of Asia which tremely well and was one ofthe most com importations and at present we have a fair have severely decimated wild populations monly kept pheasants until the Endanger ly strong breeding stock in many collec of many species of pheasants. Human ed Species Act of 1973 discouraged its' tions. However, as with all members ofthe over-population, deforestations, military captive propagation. In 1967, 30 captive peacock pheasant tribe, the clutch size is conflict, coupled with the fact that pheas raised Swinhoe's were sent to Taiwan to be only 2 eggs, so large numbers are not ants are considered good eating and are re-introduced into their natural habitat in a reared. very colorful, account for the reduction in forest area controlled by the Taiwan Na The Hume's Bartailed Pheasants were numbers of wild population. tional University. More have been sent first imported in the early 1960's from Political upheaval, over-population and since the Taiwanese government has also their native Southeast Asia. Humes have poverty in many Asian countries make propagated some in captivity to be releas extremely local distribution and are no protection of rare species in the natural ed and these birds are once again becom where abundant. They have proven to be population almost impossible. Therefore, ing well established. very easy to propagate in captivity and it is most important to maintain a viable, Also closely related is the Salvadoris were well on their way to becoming com productive population in captivity of these Pheasant of the interior of South Sumatra. mon in captive collections before the 1973 disappearing forms. Three were imported into France in 1939 passage of the Endangered Species Act. I Fortunately, most species can be prop only to be destroyed by the Second World received one ofthe first pairs imported into agated successfully in zoos and private War before propagating. In 1976, they the U. S. in 1966 and in one year 22 were collections if a few essential considera were successfully propagated in Europe, a successfully reared with no major tions are given priority. These include: first captive breeding, and in 1977 were difficulties. I. Suitable climatic conditions for the reared in New York in Mr. Charles The Mikado Pheasant inhabits the in species. Sevilles' collection. digenous forests of the temperate zones of 2. Proper, adequate environment. Fireback Pheasants also are inhabitants Taiwan. The Mikado has been declining 3. Adequate nutritious diet. of the low lying jungle areas ofSouth East during the last 25 years in Taiwan, how I would like to discuss some ofthe more Asia. The most common is the Siamese ever, it is being raised in some number in exotic, rare pheasants, their history, cap Fireback which is well established in cap captivity. It prefers a colder climate than tive management and propagation tivity in both Europe and America. many pheasants and does not do well in methods. The Malayan Crested and Bornean warm climates. Most ofthe species listed as endangered Crested Firebacks are beautiful birds The Eared Pheasants and Tragopans are or threatened are receiving attention in which have become well established in the birds of the higher elevations of Asia. captivity and success is being attained with past few years in American aviculture. They are not well suited to warm climates many ofthese. The Crested Fireback Pheasants have and when temperatures exceed 100 de The Edward's Pheasant is a small and been imported several times but seem to be grees losses are to be expected. Tragopans beautiful bird first discovered in 1895 with more delicate and have never propagated are much more arboreal than other pheas a small distribution in central Vietnam well. There are very few in captivity ants. They lay few eggs, clutches consist 39 of from 3 to 6 eggs. ant aviaries, are well planted. Each fall the There are 3 distinct colors of Eared aviaries are planted with gra s and all soil !~ Pheasants. The Blue Eared is well estab is completely tilled to a depth of 6". A ffIITILf lished in captivity and are believed in no seed mixture of VJ Rye grass, VJ Oat and fII1GfltS'~ I danger ofextinction in their native western VJ Barley is planted. This remains green and central China. Both the Brown Eared until late spring and provide forage, cover and White Eared are rare in captivity as and attracts insects as well. Tree used CUSTOM well as in China. It is believe all Brown include fruit trees such a Apricot, Plum, BUILT Eared Pheasants in captivity today are des Quince, Peach and hade trees such as AVIARIES cendants of 1.2 imported to Paris in 1864. Mulberry, California Pepper, Monk's The e surely mu t be considered a ~elf Pepper and Mimosa. Aviculturist in cold SpeClahzmg m ,,/ sustaining captive population. Despite this er climates propagating forest phea ants Bolt-Together t· I small original gene pool there are several use variou fir and pine trees in and around and Hangmg aviculturists producing trong, viable their aviaries for natural settings. chicks in captivity today. The White Eared Many pheasants are polygamous and Pheasants consist of 4 or 5 various races several hen can safely be kept in the differentiated by the degree ofdark colora breeding pen with one male. However. in T. George C1ymire tion. They are the least numerous of the seven of the 16 genera of pheasant this is Eared Pheasants although some have been not the case. Those which are monog 12515 Wagner Street Los Angeles 90066 propagated successfully in several collec amous include the Tragopans, Blood (213) 822·5010 tions the past few years. Pheasants. Peacock Pheasants, Eared The Koklass Pheasant of the Himalayan Pheasants, Koklass, Cheer and the Congo Range have received much attention in the Peacock. BIRDS AND AVIARY past 15 years and have proven to be good Pheasants are u ually compatible for SUPPLIES avicultural subjects. Prior to 1960 it had mixed aviaries. Although this can vary "we ship anywhere" $ .94 the reputation of a very delicate species to from species to species and from individ (714) 748-3847 propagate and maintain. However, in re ual to individual. In European collections cent years we have learned that Koklass it has been the standard procedure to place 18" Tnple require abundant green food to upplement pheasants with Parrot type bird . In ome the regular pheasant diet. Also it is prone zoological collection , pheasants are well $2.45 to feather picking and needs more space displayed and propagated in large flight than most pheasants. Recently, several cages.
• BuOKS • CAGES aviculturists in the U.S. and in Europe Diet requirements are imple. Most • COCKATIELS' LOVEBIRDS' PARAKEETS have been successfully propagating pheasants can live normal healthy lives on • ZEBRA FINCH. PLA IT products' NEST BOXES Koklass using this new information. The any of several commercial game bird or • CARHYI (j CASES • FEEDERS' PARROT CUPS • PARROT STANDS • WROUGHT IRON Phea ant Trust in England has produced poultry crumbles with some added grain . these in some numbers for several years. However, when attempting the propaga S. CLA USE I~I~ Credit Cards In propagating exotic Pheasants I have tion of the more exotic species a varied diet ,-WlIf!J Accepted P.O. BOX 866, perfected some techniques which are suc is essential for success. In my operation S ~ cessful for my particular situation. These we feed several sources of high protein. Ranc POWAY, CA.92064 same methods are used in some private Hardboiled eggs, mealworms and chopp FOR CURRENT CATALOG/INFORMATION aviaries and a few zoos. However, I would ed fruit, such as apples are fed every other SEND Self Addressed Stamped Envelope QUANTITY DISCOUNTS ON ALL PRODUCTS like to remind you that these methods are day. 20 to 22% protein game bird crum not olid rules and can and should be ad bles mixed with either Milo or Wheat are justed for each individual situation. fed free choice. Grass is available in most In housing Pheasants, I feel it is most aviaries and is used as a food source in important to give the birds as much room varying degrees depending on the species. as possible. For some of the smaller spe Small oyster shell is also provided during cies, such as the peacock pheasants avi the spring months before egg laying aries hould range in size from 125 to 300 commences. sq. ft., per pair. For larger pecies the avi It i important for several rea ons to ary size should increase correspondingly. provide cover in the aviary for the hen to Some of the grazing pheasants uch as use as a nest ite. First, a secure dark area Tragopans, Eared or Koklass need as will encourage egg laying. Secondly, if " SUP~QlOR.. QUALITY much as 700 to 800 sq. ft. per bird to ade eggs are laid in secure areas there is less DOMESTIC quately provide for their needs as they chance of the egg being destroyed by other ~Ilet- enjoy and need room to graze and dig in aviary inhabitants between the time of egg 8pray the soil. laying and the collection of eggs by keep 60 PLUMp,FULL SlIMS ~Q.BUNDL~ / Minimum height for pheasant aviaries ers. Egg eating is a problem in some spe . should be 8', more desirable is a height of cies and with some individual birds al 2 BUNDL~5 (APPQ.OX. 6Ibs.) $17~o PO';"AGoE PAID CONTINENTAL USA 10' to 14' as the bird can perch above any though it can be: overcome by prompt (CALIF. ~E5IDENT5 ADD 6Y2 % STATIO SA\.£S TAX) danger which they feel threatens them. A removal of eggs and/or saturation of the AJ?o.:rtlc. bird two feet above danger is more secure aviary floor with dummy chicken eggs. 00\'2852.1 than a bird 6 feet horizontally removed I strongly recommend that eggs be col 5AN J05E,CA.95126 from its danger. lected from aviaries promptly and artifi I My aviaries, and most uccessful phea - cially incubated. Mo t pheasant hens are 40 very tempennental setters and hould not well as etter and provide chick crumble, If
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