Are Golden Pheasants Good Pets?

admin July 17, 2024

0 18 8 minutes read

Introduction

You might have seen pictures of golden pheasants and thought, “Wow, those birds are beautiful!” Their bright colors and unique appearance can make you wonder if they’d make good pets. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about keeping golden pheasants as pets. We’ll look at their care requirements, behavior, and the challenges you might face. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of whether a golden pheasant is the right pet for you.

What Are Golden Pheasants?

Background and Natural Habitat

Golden pheasants are originally from the mountain forests of central and western China. In the wild, they like to live in areas with lots of trees and bushes. These birds are part of the pheasant family, which includes other colorful birds like peacocks.

Physical Characteristics

Golden pheasants are known for their eye-catching looks. The males are the most colorful:

They have a bright golden crest on their head
Their face and throat are a rusty tan color
Their body is mostly bright red and golden yellow
They have a long, brown and black tail

Female golden pheasants are less colorful. They’re mostly brown with darker spots, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.

These birds are medium-sized. Males are usually about 40 inches long, including their tail. Females are a bit smaller, around 24-30 inches long. They weigh between 1.5 to 2 pounds.

Lifespan

In the wild, golden pheasants typically live for 5-6 years. However, when kept as pets with good care, they can live up to 15-20 years. This long lifespan means you need to be ready for a long-term commitment if you decide to get one as a pet.

Golden Pheasants as Pets: Pros and Cons

Pros of Keeping Golden Pheasants

Beautiful appearance: Golden pheasants are undoubtedly stunning birds. Their vibrant colors and unique patterns make them a joy to look at.
Relatively quiet: Compared to some other bird pets, golden pheasants are generally quiet. They make soft clucking sounds rather than loud squawks or screeches.
Low-maintenance diet: These birds mainly eat seeds, grains, and some insects. Their diet is relatively simple to provide.
Hardy birds: Golden pheasants are generally tough birds that can adapt to different climates if given proper shelter.
Interesting behavior: Watching golden pheasants can be entertaining. Males often display their feathers to impress females, which is fun to see.

Cons of Keeping Golden Pheasants

Need for space: Golden pheasants need a large enclosure to be happy and healthy. They’re not suited for small cages or indoor living.
Not very interactive: Unlike parrots or some other pet birds, golden pheasants don’t typically bond closely with humans. They’re more for watching than handling.
Can be skittish: These birds are naturally wary of people and may get scared easily. It takes patience to get them used to human presence.
Special housing needs: You’ll need to provide a secure outdoor enclosure that protects them from predators and harsh weather.
Legal considerations: In some areas, you might need special permits to keep golden pheasants. Always check local laws before getting one.
Not suitable for apartments: Due to their space requirements, golden pheasants aren’t a good choice if you live in an apartment or have a small yard.

Housing Requirements

Outdoor Enclosures

Golden pheasants need to live outdoors in a spacious enclosure. Here’s what you should know:

Size: The minimum size for a pair of golden pheasants is about 10 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet tall. Bigger is always better.
Construction: Use strong wire mesh to keep the birds in and predators out. The mesh should have small holes (about 1 inch) to prevent the birds from getting stuck.
Roof: The enclosure needs a solid roof to protect the birds from rain and provide shade.
Flooring: Natural ground is best, but cover it with hardware cloth buried a few inches deep to keep out burrowing predators.
Shelter: Include a covered area where the birds can stay dry and warm.

Enrichment and Accessories

To keep your golden pheasants happy, include these things in their enclosure:

Perches at different heights
Bushes or artificial plants for hiding
Dust bathing areas (they love to clean themselves in dust)
Shallow water dishes for drinking and bathing
Nesting boxes if you plan to breed them

Climate Considerations

Golden pheasants can handle different temperatures, but they need protection from extremes:

In hot weather, make sure they have shady spots and fresh water.
In cold weather, their shelter should be draft-free and might need extra bedding or even a heat lamp in very cold areas.

Feeding Your Golden Pheasant

Basic Diet

Golden pheasants are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal foods. In captivity, their diet usually consists of:

Commercial game bird feed: This should make up about 80-90% of their diet.
Fruits and vegetables: Offer small amounts of chopped fruits and veggies like apples, berries, lettuce, and carrots.
Insects: Mealworms or crickets can be given as treats.
Grit: Provide a separate dish of grit to help them digest their food.

Feeding Schedule

Adult golden pheasants should be fed twice a day, in the morning and evening.
Remove any uneaten fresh foods at the end of the day to prevent spoilage.
Always provide fresh, clean water.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods can be harmful to golden pheasants. Don’t feed them:

Avocado
Chocolate
Caffeine
Alcohol
Salty or sugary human foods

Health and Veterinary Care

Common Health Issues

Golden pheasants are generally hardy birds, but they can face some health problems:

Parasites: Internal parasites like worms or external parasites like mites can affect them.
Respiratory infections: These can be caused by drafts or damp conditions.
Egg binding: Female pheasants sometimes have trouble laying eggs.
Injuries: They might hurt themselves if scared or if fighting with other birds.

Signs of Illness

Watch for these signs that your golden pheasant might be sick:

Not eating or drinking
Sitting fluffed up and not moving much
Discharge from eyes or nostrils
Sneezing or coughing
Limping or holding a wing oddly
Changes in droppings

Veterinary Care

It’s important to find a vet who knows about birds, especially game birds like pheasants. They should get check-ups at least once a year. You’ll also need to:

Keep their enclosure clean to prevent diseases
Deworm them regularly as advised by your vet
Watch for any changes in behavior or appearance

Behavior and Temperament

Natural Behaviors

Understanding how golden pheasants act can help you take better care of them:

They’re ground-dwelling birds but like to roost in trees at night.
Males perform courtship displays by spreading their cape feathers.
They’re most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
They enjoy dust bathing to keep their feathers clean.

Interaction with Humans

Golden pheasants aren’t typically cuddly pets. Here’s what to expect:

They’re usually shy around people and may run away when approached.
With time and patience, they might get used to your presence but probably won’t want to be handled.
They’re better for watching and admiring than for direct interaction.

Golden pheasants have specific social needs:

They’re usually kept in pairs (one male and one female) or small groups.
Males can be aggressive towards each other, especially during breeding season.
If kept alone, they might become stressed or depressed.

Legal Considerations

Permits and Regulations

Before getting a golden pheasant, check your local laws:

Some areas require permits to keep exotic birds like golden pheasants.
There might be restrictions on breeding or selling them.
In some places, you need to have your birds tested for certain diseases.

Escape Concerns

Golden pheasants can fly, so it’s important to keep them contained:

If they escape, they might survive in the wild in some areas.
This can be a problem for local ecosystems.
Make sure your enclosure is secure to prevent escapes.

Cost of Keeping Golden Pheasants

Initial Costs

Setting up for golden pheasants can be expensive:

Building a proper enclosure: $500-$1000 or more
Purchasing the birds: $50-$200 per bird, depending on age and quality
Initial supplies (feeders, waterers, etc.): $100-$200

Ongoing Costs

Regular expenses for golden pheasants include:

Feed: About $20-$30 per month for a pair
Veterinary care: At least $100-$200 per year for check-ups
Bedding and enrichment items: $10-$20 per month

Breeding Golden Pheasants

Breeding Basics

If you’re interested in breeding golden pheasants:

They usually start breeding when they’re about a year old.
The breeding season is typically in spring.
Females lay 8-12 eggs and incubate them for about 22-23 days.

Caring for Chicks

Raising baby golden pheasants (called chicks) requires extra care:

They need a warm brooder for the first few weeks.
Chicks eat a special high-protein diet.
They grow quickly and can be moved to an outdoor enclosure after about 6-8 weeks.

Breeding Challenges

Breeding golden pheasants can be tricky:

Males can be aggressive during breeding season.
Females might abandon their eggs or chicks.
You’ll need to find homes for any extra birds you breed.

Alternatives to Keeping Golden Pheasants

If you’re not sure about getting golden pheasants, consider these alternatives:

Other Pheasant Species

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant: Similar to golden pheasants but with different colors
Ring-necked Pheasant: More common and sometimes easier to care for

Different Types of Pet Birds

Chickens: Friendly, can live outdoors, and provide eggs
Parakeets or Cockatiels: Smaller, can live indoors, and often bond with people
Doves: Gentle birds that are relatively easy to care for

Non-Bird Pets

If you like colorful pets but aren’t sure about birds:

Fish: Tropical fish can be very colorful and don’t need as much space
Reptiles: Some lizards or snakes have bright colors and patterns

Making the Decision

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before getting a golden pheasant, ask yourself:

Do I have enough outdoor space for a large enclosure?
Am I okay with a pet that I can’t cuddle or play with directly?
Can I commit to caring for this bird for up to 15-20 years?
Do I have the time and money to provide proper care?
Are there any local laws that might prevent me from keeping golden pheasants?

Where to Get Golden Pheasants

If you decide to get golden pheasants:

Look for reputable breeders or exotic bird stores.
Avoid buying from pet stores that might not specialize in pheasants.
Consider adopting from a bird rescue or sanctuary if possible.

Preparing for Your New Pets

Before bringing home golden pheasants:

Set up their enclosure completely.
Find a vet who can care for exotic birds.
Stock up on the right food and supplies.
Learn as much as you can about their care and behavior.

Conclusion

Golden pheasants can make unique and beautiful pets for the right person. They’re stunning to look at and interesting to observe. However, they’re not the right choice for everyone. They need a lot of space, special care, and aren’t as interactive as some other pets.

If you have the room, time, and resources to care for them properly, golden pheasants can be rewarding pets. They can live for many years, so it’s a long-term commitment. Make sure you’re ready for the responsibility before you decide to bring them home.

Remember, the most important thing is to provide a good life for any pet you choose. Whether it’s a golden pheasant or another animal, make sure you can meet all its needs before you make it part of your family.