Introduction

Each species of pheasant is different and the unique aspects of each are covered in the ‘Species Profile’ section of this website, however there are some elements of captive husbandry that all species have in common this article contains general advise which should be read in conjunction with the species specific information.

Designing an Aviary

The key to designing an effective aviary is first to have an understanding of the needs of the species which you intend to hold as this will determine the basic features such as the size and level of shelter that you need to provide. The majority of designs for aviaries are rectangular because this is an efficient use of space, however it is not the only option and increasingly aviary design is being used to encourage birds to display natural behaviours and feel secluded enough to breed.

The Aviary Sides

The sides of the aviary should deter predators and prevent escape. Weld mesh is the most popular solution. This should be painted black to provide a less obtrusive view of the interior of the aviary. Aviaries are often constructed as a block of several, when this is the case the interior walls need not be as strongly constructed as the outside. A solid barrier around the perimeter of each pen prevents birds in adjoining aviaries from fighting.

Access to the pens needs to be carefully considered, many keepers ‘make do’ with a single door entry into the aviary from outside however escape is always a possibility in this kind of setup. A better solution is to use a safety porch which must be entered first before opening a second door into the aviary itself.

The Aviary Roof

The roof of an aviary should serve to exclude pests and predators, for this reason many keepers opt for a same construction as the sides of the aviary. However pheasants are capable of powerful vertical flight when flushed and collision with the roof can be potentially fatal, leading to trauma to the head or if the aperture of the wire is too large birds becoming hung up on the netting.

The best way to avoid this is to use a lightweight wire with a small aperture. In locations where squirrels are not an issue smaller aperture woven plastic netting is an even better solution. Providing appropriate cover within the aviary itself in the form of plants will help to reduce the issue by making the birds feel more secure. Other options include a solid roof or even more effectively one made from polycarbonate with netting underneath to prevent any escapes should a sheet become loose.

Whichever option is chosen the primary concern when designing the roof is ensuring that it has sufficient support. All but the largest aperture wire netting will retain leaves, branches and snowfall in the winter placing a huge strain to the structure. With heavy snow being rare in the UK few aviaries are designed with it in mind, in such conditions aviaries require manual clearing of snow that is built up to avoid collapse.

Providing Shelter

The level of shelter that is required depends upon the species and how resistant it is to the weather in the UK. Individual species can be placed in one of two groups:

Individual species in both groups differ in how much they will tolerate, however cold and wet can be an extremely damaging combination and even the most hardy pheasants should be provided with adequate shelter under which they can dry out in periods of very inclement weather. Shelter design ranges from a covered end to the aviary to fully heated indoor accommodation in which the birds can be held indefinitely in poor weather so it is important to research the needs of the species you intend to keep carefully.

Providing Substrate

Most pheasant species spend the entirety of the day in contact with the floor of the aviary so careful consideration of the substrate is one of the key factors in providing an enriching environment and minimising health issues.

All aviaries should be free draining, it is very important to prevent the build up of muddy areas which encourage parasites. Pheasants commonly walk around the perimeter of the aviary this often calls for gravel or sand to be placed in this area to prevent mud from building up.

Some pheasant species are particularly fond of digging, in these species a sand substrate might be more appropriate, especially where the aviary is on a clay soil. Ultimately most keepers go for a combination of the below options:

Whichever combination is chosen it is essential to provide a deep patch of loose sand in a sunny location within the aviary which the birds can use to dust bathe.

Providing Perches

Perches are generally not used during the day. Birds generally roost using a high perch early in the evening and will not move unless disturbed. Pheasants do not fly well are not very co-ordinated when attempting to access a perch. They should be provided with adequate clear space which makes it easy for them to judge the landing spot.

When providing perching in the aviary natural branches work well and ensure a range of different thicknesses and a high grip surface. When selecting perches the width of the branch should allow the bird to cover its feet when seated, this helps to prevent frost damage in the extremities of cold sensitive species.

It is useful to use perching to influence where a bird spends the night. For this reason many keepers provide perching only in the indoor area or shelter. This ensures that birds come inside for the night independently. If this is the case make sure there is enough space to provide a perch per bird as some individuals will not share.

Management Issues

Over the course of keeping the birds issues will arise which require additional space. Some common issues which may require birds to be separated are:

As the reasons to separate are so diverse and some may occur without warning, it is important when designing the aviary to ensure it is a flexible space from the outset. This could be achieved by dividing the aviary into two and normally allowing birds access to both parts, the dividing door may then be closed if required. Another approach that works well is to construct a smaller temporary aviary within the main structure from lightweight materials which can be quickly deployed if required.

Feeding

All pheasants scratch by nature and will spread feed out of a container and make a mess. Most keepers place food in a shallow and wide dish which can be emptied and cleaned daily. The location of the dish should be dry, easily cleaned and never under perches to prevent the buildup of parasites and harmful moulds. Problems are guaranteed if birds are feeding directly from the floor.

The majority of pheasants are undemanding in terms of diet, at least in comparison to other birds species found in captivity. Most breeders use a commercial pellet as the basis for a captive diet. The benefits of doing so are simply that it can be relied upon to completely meet the nutritional needs of the birds. Those who entirely create their own diet can risk their birds developing deficiencies in certain vitamins/trace elements that would have been included in a commercial feed. In addition to this problem some birds can become picky eaters, selecting only preferred food items from a mix and discarding others; pellets prevent this behavior. Some keepers prefer to give pellets ‘ad lib’ others feed twice per day as a matter of personal preference.

It is essential that all pheasants have constant access to oyster shell grit, this is important because female pheasants rely on the extra calcium contained in the grit to enable the development of a shell on any eggs they are going to lay. Laying places a huge stress on female pheasants and due to the restricted space in captivity it proves impossible for a female to adequately meet her calcium requirements without having it provided in this way.

Pheasants require constant access to clean water. The way this is provided is a case of personal preference. Chicken drinkers are often used however are prone to build ups of algae and can sometimes be quite difficult to clean.

Providing Enrichment

Although nutritionally the diet may be predominantly based on a commercial pellet this is by no means the only kind of food that the birds should be fed. Providing novel food items forms one of the most important aspects of enriching the lives of birds in captivity. Most pheasants are fairly omnivorous and enjoy a variety of fruit and vegetables, ideally these should be provided whole in a clean area of the aviary or attached to perch. In some cases interesting food items may trigger courtship behavior so it is always worth providing a variety. For keeping birds tame raisins and in shell peanuts are useful treats that should be provided in moderation. Most pheasants, other than the most vegetarian, readily accept live food such as mealworms. In newly hatched chicks of species such as Peacock-pheasants the movement of live food in the dish provides a useful stimulus for the young birds to start feeding independently.

Diet is not the only way birds can be kept happy and stimulated within captivity, the design of the aviary itself is one of the most important aspects of good husbandry. The best aviaries are a combination of practical needs and a careful simulation of the natural environment.

The inclusion of dense planing inside the aviary is essential for keeping many species feeling secure, pheasants naturally retreat to cover on foot when they feel vulnerable so keeping plants in aviaries prevents birds from flushing. Plants need to be none poisonous and robust. Bamboos and hardy shrubs can work well and many species are evergreen. Fruiting trees, raspberries and brambles provide a useful dietary and foraging function when the fruit is in season.

Many keepers purchase large well gown plants rather than trying to establish young plants inside the aviary. It can be challenging to maintain plants within the aviaries of some species, particularly those which dig. In difficult cases the roots and base of the plant may be protected using wire.

Aviary furniture such as rocks and logs encourage birds to exercise and prevents pacing behaviour, particularly if they are placed along or across well worn paths in the aviary. Placing a rotten log will encourage birds to peck and forage for insects in it leading to its gradual destruction. Providing freshly fallen leaves or bark chippings will allow the birds to forage naturally by turning over the substrate. For birds that dig such as Monals and Eared-pheasants an area in the aviary which allows this behaviour is essential and will allow the birds to occupy many hours excavating.

Enrichment can also come in the form of companions, birds should be held within suitable social groups inside the aviary as far as possible. Providing the opportunity to parent raise offspring is another valuable activity that is too often forgotten.