Planting pheasants

Iosco-Bucks · December 25, 2007, 09:48 PM

I'm looking into reintroducing pheasants to our land. I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has any success at keeping these birds. We have our work cut out for us as far as creating suitable habitat. The planting of grasses and feed crops will all be part of that, too.

Any suggestions for types of grasses or foods for these birds?

Fat White Boy · December 25, 2007, 10:28 PM

I'd talk to my local Ag department. Also, I would try to find a Pheasants Forever chapter in the area...

dmickey · December 25, 2007, 10:51 PM

Also look for signs of spider mites! I've been told that they get into the "ears" of the pheasants and drive them away.

Ranger Al · December 26, 2007, 01:59 AM

they are very tough birds.. You should be ok with wheat or corn, may have to take plink on the pesky coyotes, although no much you could do with bird of prey could deplete your bird population.

macmuffy · December 26, 2007, 10:20 AM

Going by the title.....

After ground thaws and in well tilled soil. Plant in hills like watermelon, about 9 inches apart and not too deep. Weed weekly and thin as needed.

.

BobR · December 26, 2007, 12:32 PM

Do you need to keep their heads above ground when planting them, or do u put the whole bird into the ground?

Seriously, good luck on the reintroduction of the pheasants. Along with controlling the 'yotes, you may also have to try to reduce the cat population in the area. Especially the free roaming (feral or not) cat population.

bob

Scorch · December 26, 2007, 12:57 PM

Contact your local wildlife department. In some states they will release birds on private property. They can probably help with suggestions for cover, watering areas, and reducing predation. And they will know how to set up a food plot for pheasants. I have seen pheasant eating millet, sunflowers, winter wheat, barley, corn, you name it.

Redneckrepairs · December 26, 2007, 01:03 PM

Pheasants will eat basically anything a chicken will . With that being a given habitat ( cover ) is paramount .

With that in mind ill steer you first to Pheasants Forever ( the Ducks Unlimited of pheasants ) first http://www.pheasantsforever.org/ and then to your local ag extension office since they may have some wildlife habitat programs to assist you on various planting ect.. costs tho they will not defray the bird cost .

Iosco-Bucks · December 26, 2007, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll see if there's a local chapter of Pheasants Forever near us. Should be quite the project. Even if we're not successful, I still want to try.

Buzzcook · December 27, 2007, 02:44 PM

You might want to correspond with these folks.
http://www.kittitasfieldandstream.org/index.html

I have never met a more dedicated group of people when it comes to conservation.

Iosco-Bucks · December 27, 2007, 04:26 PM

Thanks. I'll take a look at that site, too.

December 25, 2007, 09:48 PM	#1
Iosco-Bucks Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 33	Planting pheasants I'm looking into reintroducing pheasants to our land. I'm hoping to hear from anyone who has any success at keeping these birds. We have our work cut out for us as far as creating suitable habitat. The planting of grasses and feed crops will all be part of that, too. Any suggestions for types of grasses or foods for these birds?

December 26, 2007, 01:59 AM	#4
Ranger Al Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2006 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 112	they are very tough birds.. You should be ok with wheat or corn, may have to take plink on the pesky coyotes, although no much you could do with bird of prey could deplete your bird population. __________________ "Carry BIG STICK and walk quietly"

December 26, 2007, 10:20 AM	#5
macmuffy Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Posts: 66	Planting pheasants Going by the title..... After ground thaws and in well tilled soil. Plant in hills like watermelon, about 9 inches apart and not too deep. Weed weekly and thin as needed. .

December 26, 2007, 12:32 PM	#6
BobR Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2000 Location: The Dry Side of WA Posts: 561	Do you need to keep their heads above ground when planting them, or do u put the whole bird into the ground? Seriously, good luck on the reintroduction of the pheasants. Along with controlling the 'yotes, you may also have to try to reduce the cat population in the area. Especially the free roaming (feral or not) cat population. bob __________________ Sarcasm.....just one more service I offer. Last edited by BobR; December 26, 2007 at 04:04 PM.

December 26, 2007, 12:57 PM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Contact your local wildlife department. In some states they will release birds on private property. They can probably help with suggestions for cover, watering areas, and reducing predation. And they will know how to set up a food plot for pheasants. I have seen pheasant eating millet, sunflowers, winter wheat, barley, corn, you name it. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 25, 2007, 10:28 PM	#2
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I'd talk to my local Ag department. Also, I would try to find a Pheasants Forever chapter in the area...

December 25, 2007, 10:51 PM	#3
dmickey Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Posts: 124	Also look for signs of spider mites! I've been told that they get into the "ears" of the pheasants and drive them away.

December 26, 2007, 01:03 PM	#8
Redneckrepairs Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Posts: 666	Pheasants will eat basically anything a chicken will . With that being a given habitat ( cover ) is paramount . With that in mind ill steer you first to Pheasants Forever ( the Ducks Unlimited of pheasants ) first http://www.pheasantsforever.org/ and then to your local ag extension office since they may have some wildlife habitat programs to assist you on various planting ect.. costs tho they will not defray the bird cost .

December 26, 2007, 01:30 PM	#9
Iosco-Bucks Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 33	Thanks for the suggestions. I'll see if there's a local chapter of Pheasants Forever near us. Should be quite the project. Even if we're not successful, I still want to try.

December 27, 2007, 02:44 PM	#10
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	You might want to correspond with these folks. http://www.kittitasfieldandstream.org/index.html I have never met a more dedicated group of people when it comes to conservation.

December 27, 2007, 04:26 PM	#11
Iosco-Bucks Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 33	Thanks. I'll take a look at that site, too.