[EzLou]

Do they tame up?

We've got loads that visit our garden and wander about. They are getting less  panicky when they see a human but still run away.

I feed them with wild bird seed. I don't want them in hen houses or anything - they are wild and can look after themselves. But I'd like them to hang around when we're outdoors if possible.

Any tips?

[Bodger]

They are wild birds, but food might help.

Gamekeepers are constantly fighting a sometimes losing battle to keep wandering pheasants on their shoot and they are the professional, so you might find it tricky to keep them at heel.

[GrannieAnnie]

This is what Munty said about them!!

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=9076

[WG.]

Once you get your veggies going, you will be wanting rid of them  :!:

[ChickenAnn]

They are very rarely truely "wild". The overwhelming majority are reared, either bought in as day old chicks or hatched under a broody hen/incubator, by gamekeepers or private individuals for shooting.  The gamekeeper will generally leave out hoppers of food for them dotted around the estate. They are therefore more akin to livestock than wild birds.
The problem with encouraging them to be tame is for the shoots - the beaters will still be able to get them in flight, but it isn't exactly sporting.

[Bodger]

Try stroking one and you'll find out how wild they are.

Having done lots of beating over the years on a number of shoots, the last post is incorrect. They are as wild as anyother wild bird. The pheasants are very difficult to hold in an area inspite of the food hoppers.

They are nothing like chickens and if kept in a roofed pen will literally kill themselves trying to get out by smashing themselves on the roof of the pen.

[henny penny]

Be careful!
My friend has been feeding a visiting cock pheasant and now it's got so confident it attacked her 3 year old son to get his crisps off him.

[ChickenAnn]

I think you misunderstand: I'm not saying that they are not "wild" in that they are tame/domesticated/easy to handle, simply that they are bred and paid for by local shoot/estate - not naturally occuring or whatever.  Is it really fair to try to tame them, therefore?

[Cynara]

Pheasants are pretty canny in that they learn to recognise individuals they trust, but still take off when they see a stranger. Being very territorial they are pretty safe in the garden here; they are not likely to wander back to the local shoot.
 


This one comes up and pecks your pocket because he knows that's where you keep the nuts.
The females are much more shy.

[mushroom]

wow isnt he great!  

[Cynara]

They are just beautiful. I never noticed until I took this pic that the pattern on their sides is like that classic 3D optical illusion, the one with the steps?

 

[Aunt Sally]

Beautiful bird