Pheasant aggression

[lee miller1]

Hi I just had a question on pheasants. I have around 50 ringneck hens and 5 roosters. It seems that one or more of my hens is very fond of picking the saddle feathers of my other pheasants. She has even killed a rooster and a couple of hens. Is there any way to stop this before it progresses further? I have a big flight pen with over 200 square feet per bird. All of the roosters show some signs of feather picking at the base of their tails as well so I'm assuming it is not them. After the birds die the feather picking pheasant likes to eat the back half of their body leaving only bones, but only the top half right where the saddle feathers are. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[007Sean]

Hi I just had a question on pheasants. I have around 50 ringneck hens and 5 roosters. It seems that one or more of my hens is very fond of picking the saddle feathers of my other pheasants. She has even killed a rooster and a couple of hens. Is there any way to stop this before it progresses further? I have a big flight pen with over 200 square feet per bird. All of the roosters show some signs of feather picking at the base of their tails as well so I'm assuming it is not them. After the birds die the feather picking pheasant likes to eat the back half of their body leaving only bones, but only the top half right where the saddle feathers are. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would watch and see which hen(s) doing it and get her/them out of the pen or put blinders on them....but I don't prefer that option.

 

[ravensgait]

I'd defiantly want to find out whats going on, sounds like you have a Pheasant named Hannibal Lector in the flock !!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would watch and see which hen(s) doing it and get her/them out of the pen or put blinders on them....but I don't prefer that option.

I wonder if that bird has some sort of nutritional deficiency? I certainly would not leave her with the flock.

 

[007Sean]

I wonder if that bird has some sort of nutritional deficiency? I certainly would not leave her with the flock.

Sometimes it is a protein deficiency. This sounds more like a rouge hen...one that's got into the habit of doing it and / or likes the taste of blood. Even grown pheasants will pick at the others tail feathers at the base of the tail, and if theres blood will keep on pecking.

 

[lee miller1]

Thanks for helping!