Can I let my Red Golden Pheasant freerange?

[baybarry]

We have a lightly wooded 3 acre yard, fenced with hogwire (aka welded wire). We allow our 14 guineas, 5 ducks and 2 peafowl to free-range in the yard all day. At sunset they all return to the enclosed chicken run/coop, and we shut the door to keep out predators (owls, raccoons, etc.) that can get over the hogwire fence. A year ago, I caught a stray male red golden pheasant in the woods (with my bare hands). I bought him 2 females and we built them a separate pheasant coop which is attached to the original chicken run. The man I bought the pheasant hens from said that (unlike the other fowl) I would always have to keep the pheasants penned-up or they'd run off, however, I'd like to allow them go free during the day, and also allow them to sleep in the heated coop this winter (if they so choose). In your experience, is it necessary to keep RG pheasants penned-up, or should I be able to let them out with the others? Thank you! Barry

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Ok, first, that is totally awesome that you caught one with your bare hands!

The person you bought the hens from is right, given the chance, the pheasants will head for the hills. They are not nearly as domesticated as chickens, which is part of the reason they are so fun to keep I always want to let them out, especially before they had a big covered run (which would be pretty expensive if i hadn't gotten free materials). You could do a chicken tractor maybe, so they can have fresh grass.

 

[baybarry]

?? what is a chicken tractor??

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

its a bottomless pen on wheels that you can move around. They are pretty cool. I use them for my quail and baby fowl.
This is a bunch of pictures of different ones. I build them out of whatever we have lying around.

http://thecitychicken.com/tractors.html