LunaKiw1 Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 A pheasant has somehow landed in our back garden (we live in a village in middle of The New Forest and seems to be fascinated by our two girls! They are free-ranging in the shrubbery inside some Omlet netting and it is pacing up and down on the other side of the netting, clearly trying to get closer to them. Rosie and Poppy have both gone up close to it and Rosie has given the odd pecking lunge (so I can tell how she'd react to newbies!). They are also making a lot of complaining noises as if to say 'go away'. Does it recognise them as fellow birds I wonder? Our garden is quite enclosed although adjacent to open paddocks so not sure how it is going to escape/fly out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 We've had visits from male pheasants in the past - some tried to eat the hens' food (not popular with the hens); others displayed to the hens (they weren't impressed!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 it can't get into their WIR which is the other side of the netting but I did wonder if it was looking for lurv! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 they can and do mate with hens given the chance and any fertile eggs would be viable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Oh my goodness. I didn't know that. Would that make it a chickant? The chicks would be huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 Ooh I'd like to see what a pheasant / chicken x looks like! Anyone got one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 I've just googled it, loads of pictures. Seems it's not that uncommon. I've also got a confession to make. I was thinking of a peacock and a chicken cross. That's why I thought the chicks would be so big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 This is a peacock hen cross apparatley. Do t feel quite so ga ga now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 That's a very odd looking bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 When we get Pheasants in the garden near the chickens I shoot them (the pheasants, not the chickens). Main reason is Pheasants carry Gapeworm and Blackhead, neither of which I want to give the chickens. A cheap Sunday lunch is the other reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 19, 2014 Share Posted November 19, 2014 Brutal beantree....You have to be a guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted November 19, 2014 Author Share Posted November 19, 2014 Thanks everyone for all the interesting responses! I'll be keeping a look out to see if he returns today. Don't like the idea of any diseases being spread but I'm afraid shooting isn't an option so me flapping my arms will have to suffice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
