Pheasants and quails can be raised together, but it requires some consideration and planning.
Perhaps the most critical aspect to remember while raising pheasants is that they need significantly more space than hens.
They can be prone to cannibalism if they become overcrowded. Pheasants, on the other hand, will require a higher hen-to-male bird ratio than chickens.
For example, you would require approximately eight hens for each male. They enjoy foraging for food on the homestead, but to begin with, they need a balanced diet of grain, corn, and high protein game food.
As more people raise exotic birds and game birds, more game bird food becomes available.
Pheasants, too, require enough protection that is low to the ground. They are inherently evasive and prefer to range long distances in search of food.
They’ll remain happy and safe if there are interspersed low-to-the-ground shelters accessible.
It’s possible that if you house your quail with your pheasants, they would be pushed to the bottom of the pecking order.
As a result, quail may be deprived of food and may be wounded or killed by an angry hen or rooster.
However, if your pheasant and quail were nurtured in the same brooder, they may develop an affinity for one another.
However, because their instinctive habits are so dissimilar, they may not get along well as they age.
So if you wish to raise them together, it is better, to begin with, both types of chicks.
Feeding Pheasants and Quail Together?
In comparison to chickens and some other egg-laying fowl, quails and pheasants have a high protein need.
Your best feeding technique will vary depending on whether you’re feeding quails or pheasants, as well as the birds’ captive or wild status.
From hatching to six weeks of age, confined young pheasants require a “starter” game bird meal that contains 30% protein.
You will need to feed a 19% protein “grower” ration to 6-week old birds until they mature as adults—while fully grown pheasants that are breeding will need a feed of 20% protein, and the nonbreeding adult needs 12% protein in their feed.
From hatching to 8 weeks of age, young quail chicks require a high protein diet.
Feed the quail chicks a “starter” meat bird feed readily available at most fed stores—after eight weeks; quail chicks require less protein but more calories.
Between 8 and 16 weeks, the birds need more developer or finisher ration, depending on whether they are maintained for meat, flight, or breeding.
When feeding adult quails, you are primarily feeding breeding birds. These birds should be given a layer ration explicitly formulated for game birds, containing around 19% protein.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on why pheasants stand on one leg
Housing Pheasants and Quails Together?
It is possible to house both pheasants and quails together. As long as they have their mates, they won’t bother each other.
However, the type of breeds also matters when building spend for both species.
For example, ringneck males get very dominant in their pen during mating season.
So when housing both birds, the cage must be big enough for quails to hide out.
Furthermore, pheasants and quails require different room temperatures, so it’s best to build a pen for both birds having optimum temperatures.
How Do You Prevent Fighting and Competition between Them?
Fighting between these species can go different ways. It can be because of food or something else.
It can be over an area as they are both territorial animals. The majority of their fighting and fussing is about pecking order, food, and perch space.
Quails may be quite vicious toward one another, and their fights can be pretty violent.
However, fighting is occasionally necessary to form a social hierarchy.
While a very aggressive rooster or hen might spark fighting, it is frequently an indication that something is wrong in the run.
Ensure that they have adequate space in the cage or run. They should ideally have at least one square foot. If you maintain multiple roosters in the same run, I recommend increasing a few square feet per rooster.
Ensure that your ratio is correct. Maintain a good ratio of females to males in the brood.
Make sure the pen has a hiding place. Sometimes pheasants can get quite aggressive, so make sure the pen has a hiding place for the quails.
Can You Raise Them Young Together?
Raising pheasants and quail young together is possible. They will be able to become acquainted with one another.
They’ll be able to comprehend one another’s routines, sights, sounds, and everything in between.
This method will aid in “domesticating” the pheasants, which will make the quail feel more at ease around the pheasants.
Additionally, it is an excellent technique for both birds to develop immunity to one other’s diseases.
However, you must remember that both birds are violent and may exhibit cannibalistic behavior if you are not careful.
Also check out this article I wrote on pheasants getting cold.
Will Quails Kill Pheasants?
Quails will not kill pheasants. It’s the other way round. If pheasants are not sufficiently tame, they can kill quail.
Pheasants may attack another bird if they regard it as a danger to their food or territory.
Likewise, they can attack and kill smaller birds and chicks if they perceive them as a threat.
Can Pheasants And Quails Cross Breed?
Yes. A study shows the crossbreed between a male pheasant and a female quail with the resulting result having distinct features from both parent breeds.
How to Introduce Pheasants To Quails?
Introducing pheasants to quails should be done when they are young. Placing chicks of both species in the same pen enables them to get familiarized with each other.
At young, both birds are about the same small size. Therefore put the pheasant chicks in the brooder house, then place the quail chicks.
It’s best to put both species together before they become familiarized with their environment.
Is Quail The Same As Pheasant?
Quails and pheasants are all closely related. However, each of these birds is unique in terms of size, color, plumage, diet, and habitat.
While both animals reproduce by laying eggs, there are numerous traits that distinguish these two species of fowl, whether in terms of breeds and types or the average size of a bird.
Quails are distinguished by their puffy, plump bodies and small stature. Quails average between 8 and 10 inches in length.
However, the majority of commonly encountered wild species weigh between 5 and 8 ounces.
Quails are also grown in poultry farms; their weights vary according to whether they are bred in captivity or roam freely.
Pheasants are huge, vibrant, and have long tails. One of the most noticeable distinctions between quails is their robust beak.
The rest of the body is made up of strong, long legs and clawed four-toed feet. Pheasants’ wings are bent, short, and rounded; they may fly for brief periods when they detect danger.
Male pheasants are typically larger than females, and they occasionally sport spurs.
Conclusion
Pheasants can be raised with quail inasmuch as you put in the appropriate measure to prevent the bird from fighting, ultimately leading to death.
One thing to remember is that although they are from the same family, they are still very much different.
