2xotlc ~heagahtg 3. Adequate nutritious diet. Most of the species listed as endan eaptiVe/PltVu1.7ement iV1d ~'to?a7t1tion gered or threatened are receivin.g attention in captivity and success IS by Mickey Dllson, Glendale, AZ being attained with many of these. (Aug/Sept 1979 )
;11iLket{ OliSOl1 has dOl1e mO'le There are 16 genera comprising 48 Edwards' Pheasant The Edwards' Pheasant Lophura nJo'lk 011 pheasMts Md othe'l tjAlLi recognized species of pheasants. In some species there are numerous sub edwardsi is a small and beautiful bird 11aceous 6i'lds thM almost t:lJ1lfol1e species or races bringing the number first discovered in 1895 with a small else i11 Ame'l£CM atJ£cultu'le. d-le of forms to about 150. distribution in central Vietnam near Hue (Way). It was first imported in has alJValfs 6eel1 a J1JiLLiJ1'j tea.che'l, All of the pheasants, including peafowl and junglefowl, are found in 1925 to France by Dr. Jean Delacour, Sha'li115 his k110J1Jl£d5e a60ut these Asia except the Congo Peacock of when he brought some 15 individuals 6i'lds and he J1Jas a pwnee'l in 'lep'lO Africa. to his collection. It was successfully propagated and distributed to zoos ~nd duci115 mAAlf o~ the mO'le di~~£cuLt During the past 50 years radical changes have taken place in much of aviculturists in Europe and Amenca. species. Asia which have severely decimated But recently it has become increasingly wild populations of many species of difficult to breed and abnormalities in he pheasants are among pheasants. Human over-population, plumage are appearing. the most popular and col deforestations, military conflict, cou Since these birds are likely extinct in q orful of all display birds. the natural distribution, the World pled with the fact that pheasants are For centuries their exotic appearance, considered good eating and are very Pheasant Association has recently start along with relative ease of captive colorful, account for the reduction in ed a Stud Book under the direction of management, have made them com numbers of wild population. Dr. Tim Lovel to attempt to random mon in most avicultural and zoological Political upheaval, over-population pair birds as much as possible. To collections. and poverty in many Asian countries date, 240 birds in 93 collections have No other group of birds has made make protection of rare species in the been identified and I urge any collec such an impact on the social and eco natural population almost impossible. tions with Edward's to participate in nomical history of mankind, since Therefore, it is most important to main this Stud Book project. domestic poultry are descendant of the tain a viable, productive population in junglefowl, thetnselves members of the captivity of these disappearing forms. Editor's Notice: pheasant family. Game Pheasan~ hav: Sources: The Times, 5 September 1996; WWF Fortunately, most species can be News} Summer 1996,3. been hunted for centuries both ln thelr propagated successfully in zoos and native distribution and as transplanted private collections if a few essential ~oo Pheasant Rediscovered sport bird for western man. Fev: considerations are given priority. visitors fail to have at least a hmited Edward's Pheasant Lophura edwardsi} thought to be extinct in the wild, has been redis knowledge of what a pheasant is, as These include: covered in Bach Ma National Park, central they have affected the lives of most 1. Suitable climatic conditions for the Vietnam. A mating pair has been caught by local people, serving as food source, sport, or species. villagers. The last recorded cap?ure ofthe species as display birds in parks and gardens. 2. Proper, adequate environment. was in 1928 and three expeditions between 1988 and 1994 failed to find any trace ofthe bird. The
the afa W TCHBIRD 23 Brown Eared pheasant, Crossoptilon mantchuricum
Swinhoe's Pheasant, Lophura swinhoei 24 July/August 1998 Mikado Pheasant avicultural subject. Prior to 1960 it had Some of the grazing pheasants such as The Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus the reputation of a very delicate tragopans, eared, or Koklass need as mikado inhabits the indigenous forests species to propagate and maintain. much as 700 to 800 sq. ft. per bird to ofthe temperate zones ofTaiwan. The However, in recent years we have adequately provide for their needs as Mikado has been declining during the learned that Koklass require abundant they enjoy and need room to graze last 25 years in Taiwan, however, it is green food to supplement the regular and dig in the soil. being raised in some numbers in cap pheasant diet. Also it is prone to feath Minimum height for pheasant tivity. It prefers a colder climate than er picking and needs more space than aviaries should be 8 feet. More desir many pheasants and does not do well most pheasants. Recently, several avi able is a height of 10 to 14 feet as the in warm climates. culturists in the u.s. and in Europe birds can perch above any danger have been successfully propagating which they feel threatens them. A bird Eared Pheasants Koklass using this new information. two feet above danger is more secure The Eared Pheasants and The Pheasant Trust in England has than a bird six feet horizontally Tragopans are birds of the higher ele produced these in some numbers for removed from its danger. vations of Asia. They are not well suit several years. ed to warm climates and when tem PlantedAviaries peratures exceed 100 degrees losses Potential Propagation Techniques My aviaries, and most successful are to be expected. Tragopans are In propagating exotic pheasants I pheasant aviaries, are well planted. much more arboreal than other pheas have perfected some techniques which Each fall the aviaries are planted with ants. They lay few eggs, clutches con are successful for my particular situa grass and all soil is completely tilled to sist of from three to six eggs. tion. These same methods are used in a depth of 6 inches. A seed mixture of There are three distinct colors of some private aviaries and a few zoos. '13 rye grass, '13 Oats and '13 barley is Eared Pheasants. However, I would like to remind you planted. This remains green until late that these methods are not solid rules Spring and provide forage, cover and Blue Eared and can and should be adjusted for attracts insects as well. Trees used The Blue Eared Crossoptilon auri each individual situation. include fruit trees such as apricot, plum, tum is well established in captivity and quince, peach and shade trees such as is believed in no danger of extinction Housing mulberry, California Pepper, Monk's in its native western and central China. In housing pheasants, I feel it is Pepper and mimosa. Aviculturists in most important to give the birds as colder climates propagating forest Brown Eared much room as possible. For some of pheasants use various fir and pine trees Both the Brown Eared and White the smaller species, such as the pea in and around their aviaries for natural Eared are rare in captivity as well as in cock pheasants, aviaries should range settings. China. All Brown Eared Pheasants in size from 125 to 300 sq. ft. per pair. Crossoptilon mantchuricum in captivi For larger species the aviary size Polygamous or Not ty today are believed to be descen should increase correspondingly. Many pheasants ,are polygamous dants of one male and two females imported to Paris in 1864. These sure ly must be considered a self-sustaining captive population. Despite this small original gene pool there are several aviculturists producing strong, viable chicks in captivity today.
White Eared The White Eared Pheasants FIND OUT WHY HUMIDAIRE Crossoptilon crossoptilon consist offour EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN THE or five various races differentiated by CHOICE OF ZOOS, PRE the degree ofdark coloration. They are the least numerous of the Eared SERVES AND PROFESSIONAL Pheasants although some have been BREEDERS WORLDWIDE FOR propagated successfully in several col OVER SIX DECADES. WRITE, lections the past few years. CALL OR FAX FOR YOUR FREE CATALOG! Koklass Pheasant The Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia P.O. BOX 9, NEW MADISON, OH 45346 U.S.A. macrolopa of the Himalayan Range TELEPHONE [U.S.A.) Toll·Free (800) 410-6925 IlumlDAIRE WORLDWIDE (937) 996·3001 • FAX (937) 996·3633 INCUBATOR COMPANY has received much attention in the past E-MAIL [email protected] 15 years and has proven to be a good
the afa WATCHBIRD 25 and several hens can safely be kept in' CoNect the Eggs flighty as they mature, thus making the breeding pen with one male. I strongly recommend that eggs be better breeders and display birds. However, in seven ofthe 16 genera of collected from aviaries promptly and pheasants this is not the case. Those artificially incubated. Most pheasant It is important to match the size of which are monogamous include the hens are very temperamental setters the broody hen to the size of egg or Tragopans, Blood Pheasants, Peacock and should not be trusted with rare adult pheasant so chicks are not hurt Pheasants, Eared Pheasants, Koklass, eggs to incubate. Eggs of most species or killed by the broody hen being too Cheer and the Congo Peacock. of pheasants can be stored for up to 8 large. When eggs are well pipped they to 10 days with little or no loss of are removed from the broody hen and hatchability. During the time interval Mixed Species Aviaries placed in incubator hatching area to Pheasants are usually compatible for from laying to being incubated the complete hatching and to gain strength mixed aviaries. Although this can vary eggs should be kept at about 60 for the first 12 hours. Then they are from species to species and from indi degrees F., turned 160 degrees daily, placed back with the broody hen still vidual to individual. In European col and humidity should approximate the on the nest and after two hours placed lections it has been the standard proce natural environment of the species. with broody hen in 'fearing boxes. dure to place pheasants with parrot Eggs of pheasants with small clutch These boxes are 36 in. x 48 in. x 18 in. type birds. In some zoological collec size such as peacock pheasants and high. They are equipped with mason tions, pheasants are well displayed and tragopans should be set within four jar type waterer and heat lamp if the propagated in large flight cages. days of being laid. weather is still cold. The brooding pens are placed on grass and feed is Incubate the Eggs placed on burlap material in the back Diet I have used both incubators and half of the brooder. Food for young Diet requirements are simple. Most broody bantam hens for hatching pheasants consists of 3/4 Game Bird pheasants can live normal healthy lives pheasant eggs. Both methods have starter crumbles, '/4 white millet, hard on any of several commercial game their respective advantages, and skill boiled eggs, mealworms and occasion bird or poultry crumbles with some and experience is necessary to be suc ally crickets. added grain. However, when attempt cessful with either method. For the fol A broad spectrum antibiotic is used ing the propagation of the more exot lowing reasons I use broody chicken for the first two weeks in the drinking ic species a varied diet is essential for hens in my operation almost exclu water of all gallinaceous birds hatched success. In my operation we feed sev sively: and reared in this manner. eral sources of high protein. 1. Availability of good broody stock. Natural tree limbs ofvarying diame Hardboiled eggs, mealworms and Broodiness is inherited and my strain ter are placed in each box for chicks to chopped fruit. such as apples are fed of setting hens has been reared and perch on if they desire. This is espe every other day. 20 to 22% protein kept for setting for some 20 years. cially important for peafowl chicks and game bird crumbles mixed with either the arboreal tragopans if crooked toes milo or wheat are fed free choice. 2. My operation is located in an area of are to be avoided. Grass is available in most aviaries and electrical power outages lasting from a The chicks and broody hen remain is used as a food source in varying few minutes to several hours. This is of in these brooding boxes until the chick degrees depending on the species. great concern when using an electric reaches two to three weeks of age. At Small oyster shell is also provided dur incubator. that time they are moved to rearing ing the spring months before egg lay coops that are 4 x 12 x 8 feet high. The ing commences. 3. Broody hens with the proper envi broody hen is removed when chicks ronmental and hereditary background reach six to eight weeks of age. At this Cover in the Aviary prove to be good mothers as well as point many of the hens have laid a It is important for several reasons to setters and provide chicks with valu clutch of eggs and are setting again provide cover in the aviary for the hen able security during the first few weeks and are ready to be moved into the to use as a nest site. First, a secure dark of life and encourage chicks to start setting house to begin the cycle over area will encourage egg laying. eating. again. Chicks remain in these rearing Secondly, if eggs are laid in secure pens until six to eight months old areas there is less chance of the egg 4. Ease of chick starting to feed with when they are sold or moved to larger being destroyed by other aviary inhab brooding hen serving as teacher. breeder aviaries. itants between the time of egg laying Pheasants are colorful, easily man and the collection of eggs by keepers. 5. Ease of brooding as the hen is the aged and propagated, interesting to Egg eating is a problem in some heat source and we don't need to visitors and it is hoped that we will species and with some individual birds depend on artificial electrical heat. continue to establish strong breeding although it can be overcome by groups ofthese rare and exotic birds in prompt removal ofeggs and/or satura 6. General attitude of chick is zoological collections and private tion of the aviary floor with dummy improved. Hen adds to stability. aviaries for future generations to chicken eggs. Youngsters are more gentle and less appreciate and enjoy. .;Jt 26 July/August 1998 FREE Incubation & Hatching Video
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