That Quail Place Forum

Production and Business => Propagation - Advanced Science => Topic started by: Al on July 29, 2008, 12:49:23 PM

Title: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: Al on July 29, 2008, 12:49:23 PM

I have raised quail off and on for over 35 years, but I now have 31 ringnecks that are 12 weeks old. I know it's ok to breed brothers  and sisters with quail but what about pheasants? I think it's a no no in birds that large.
I want to keep about 12 hens so I will have a source of eggs next year. I am reading that one cock is all I need for 12 hens. Is this correct?
Comments are appreciated!
Al
Ga

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: wildergamebirds on July 29, 2008, 01:19:07 PM

  Go ahead, two headed Pheasant are cute!

  Seriously, with any species, it's repetitive breeding of close relatives that cause the problems.  Some species do show signs inbreeding, more quickly than others.  One thing you might do is buy some eggs to hatch with yours, but separate them according to source.  Keep both sets of chicks next to each other in brooder, or use leg bands, and keep them together, to separate breeders, later.

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: Reeves on July 29, 2008, 03:57:56 PM

No eggs till next year anyway.....time enough to track down some extra males.

Steve is our local expert on those nasty Ring necks.....he shall be along to give better anvice on male/hens.

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: wildergamebirds on July 29, 2008, 04:01:59 PM

  Glad you posted, Reeves, helped me notice that I didn't address numbers.  I think 7 or 9 to one are better ratios.  And yes, Steve will give you "more correct" help.

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: slider on July 30, 2008, 11:48:35 AM

I have read that 15:1 will work.....but I have kept 7&8:1 successfully in years past. But I would never just keep 1 rooster...

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: wildergamebirds on July 30, 2008, 11:09:02 PM

  Good point, if you lose one out of one rooster, you get omelets instead of chicks.

  How about 2 roosters with the hens, and 2 for back-up in a cage in a darkened shed?

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: slider on July 30, 2008, 11:21:27 PM

Have a friend that has 5 hens and 1 rooster= no fertile eggs this year...They are scarce as hens teeth around here....

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: wildergamebirds on July 30, 2008, 11:45:33 PM

  Something in the water?  Airborn disease?

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: NH/Pete on July 31, 2008, 09:01:11 AM

Quote from: wildergamebirds on July 30, 2008, 11:09:02 PM

  How about 2 roosters with the hens, and 2 for back-up in a cage in a darkened shed?

Or under a porch in NY j45

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: wildergamebirds on July 31, 2008, 11:04:34 AM

  There ya go !

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on August 11, 2008, 01:09:31 PM

7 to 8 hens to one cock is just right. If you have another cock bird in this ratio, you are going to have to much competition, blood shed between the cock birds.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm

Title: Re: Breeding Ringneck Pheasants
Post by: jchiar on August 11, 2008, 05:37:36 PM

I keep 7-8 to 1 works for me