I have just begun to raise Ringneck Pheasants. I currently have 13 chicks that just hatched out last week. At what age can you sex them and are the markings distinct? Are the chicks naturally aggressive? They seem to be pecking at each others feet and beaks.
I also had 2 hatch out that are solid black with white around their necks and head. Someone told me that they are Melanistic mutants??? How can they be sexed?
Thanks for any info!
1duckhtr,
By 5 weeks you should be able to tell the difference on the Ring-necked Pheasants.
The chicks start to get very aggressive a 6 weeks. Save yourself some aggravation and put peepers on the birds a 5 weeks.
The two that you mentioned that hatched out solid black with white around their necks could be Melanistic, or they could actually be a Melanistic Cock mated with a Ring-necked hen. Only time will tell. If the bird is
solid black with a white ring it is a male. Solid
brown is a female. This sexing can be used either for the Melanistic "X" or the Melanistic Mutants. I have never had one jump ship on this type of sexing.
As far as the Ring-necks, sexing is hard right after the hatch. The Mel's and crosses can be sexed right after the hatch.
Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm