Pheasants

For professional and backyard keepers alike, raising pheasants, whether for food or to release into the wild, can be one of poultry farming’s most rewarding experiences. Whether you want to keep a few of these fetching gamebirds or a whole nye, Tractor Supply is your one-stop shop for them. Browse our selection of live birds, plus everything you’ll need to care for them.

Adding Pheasants to Your Flock

Many aviculturists seek out pheasants specifically, highly prizing them for both their aesthetics and agricultural value. The most common and widespread pheasant breed, especially in North America, is the Ringneck, a species native to Asia known for its adaptability. Variants include the Kansas Ringneck, distinctive for its attention-commanding flight, and the hybrid Manchurian Ringneck Cross, a specimen that, similar to the related Green, is kept for its beautiful plumage. Other, less common kinds include the Extra Large Ringneck, an accomplished runner, the striking Golden and its gorgeous close relation, the Lady Amherst.

If you’re considering pheasants for your flock, you’ll have several factors to consider, including:

Breeds and Their Temperaments

Known to be social birds, pheasants are generally friendly to one another, although they can be territorial during breeding season. Because they’re cautious, they can be easily alarmed, which can lead to noisy takeoffs and flustered flight for short distances, although they may prefer to run from perceived threats.

Purposes for Raising

You can own pheasants for sport, culinary use or just enjoying their captivating visual appeal. Some are ideal for releasing into the wild, allowing them to serve as game for hunting or dog training, as well as contribute to the growth of native populations. Others are great for pest control, as they love eating nuisances to farm crops, such as insects and small invertebrates. As food sources, their meat is both delicious and nutritious, and as pets, they’re valued not only for their attractive feathers but also for their curious personalities.

Shelter and Nesting Needs

For a flock to thrive, it’ll need a safe, undisturbed area with dense vegetation, which is ideal for rearing chicks and fostering young poults, alongside open areas where birds can forage. Their environments should be away from mowing and other human activities, and insulate them against bad weather. Nesting cover should typically be a taller mix of bunch grasses, forbs and legumes, offering concealment from both ground and overhead predators, and a brooding habitat should have plenty of open ground for juvenile birds as they seek out food sources. You should also ensure that your nye has cover to shield it from snow and wind during colder months.

Nutrition and Feeding

Although pheasants’ dietary needs vary based on age and whether they’re being raised for rewilding, meat production or show animals, they’re omnivores. This means that they eat seeds and wheat, barley, oats, cracked corn and other grains for energy and carbohydrates, plus insects and worms for protein, especially during the birds’ early growth stages.

For a good balance of everything they need For Life Out Here, consider feeding with a gamebird blend — a starter feed for chicks, grower feed for fledgling birds, a high-protein breeder feed with calcium supplementation for layers (egg-producers) and a maintenance feed for non-mating birds. Ensure it’s supplemented with crucial vitamins, such as A, D, E, K and B, along with phosphorus, zinc, copper, iodine and other vital minerals. The mix should also contain adequate grit, as it’ll help the birds’ gizzards during digestion. Hydration is also critical, so be sure to provide access to clean, fresh water.

Enhance Your Gamebird Flock with Pheasants from Tractor Supply

Whether you’re a first-time breeder or a seasoned professional, we make it easy to decide which is right for your operation. Explore and compare different breeds and find pheasant care essentials at your local Tractor Supply store or on our website.