A Detailed Guide to the Whole Pheasant Incubation Process and Points to Note

In daily life, chicken is something we eat quite a lot of, but pheasant is different from the domestic chicken we usually eat. Pheasant counts as game, and its nutritional value is higher than that of domestic chicken, but at the same time its supply is not as abundant as that of domestic chicken, and the market demand for pheasant is still in a state of demand exceeding supply.

Pheasant Incubation Process and Points to Note

When collecting pheasant eggs, eggs that are too large or too small, have too pointed a small end, or have cracks or sand-like spots on the shell surface should be removed promptly. After collection, the first disinfection should be carried out (disinfecting the hatching eggs can effectively reduce the chance of pullorum disease and E. coli infection in chicks). The disinfection method generally uses formalin and potassium permanganate.

The best storage period for hatching eggs is 7 days in spring and 5 days in summer, but in spring it should not exceed 15 days at most. The storage place should be kept ventilated and dry, with a suitable temperature of around 18 degrees and a humidity of 70 percent. When storing, place the eggs with the large end up; if stored for more than five days, the eggs should be turned twice a day, so as to prevent the contents of the egg from sticking together and affecting the hatch rate. Before setting the eggs for incubation, all hatching eggs should undergo a second centralized disinfection, and all equipment should be disinfected at the same time. Below, a fully automatic incubator is used as an example to introduce pheasant incubation.

 The fertilization rate of pheasants is higher than that of domestic chickens, reaching over 97%, but because their shells are thick, the hatch rate is only about 87%. Especially in the middle and later stages, if temperature and humidity are not well controlled, it is very easy for chicks not to hatch or to hatch too late, affecting their development. Pheasant incubation takes 22-23 days; on day 22 only very few hatch or none hatch at all, and beyond 24 days, even if they can hatch, the chicks produced are generally very poor in constitution and not easy to keep alive. The incubation temperature for pheasants can be kept at 37.8 degrees for the first 18 days, then lowered by 0.3 degrees in the last few days. Humidity can be kept at 70% to 65% for the first two-thirds of the time, and at 75% to 70% afterward. Turning is controlled automatically by computer (the general default is once every 90 minutes), and turning should stop after 18 days. On day 21, the eggs should be transferred to the hatching tray (the hatching eggs are taken off the egg rack and placed into the brooding tray), and they must be sprayed once with warm water at about 35 degrees every 4 hours. Starting from day 7, the eggs should be cooled twice, so that the heat generated inside the eggs is released in time. After 18 days, do this once every four hours. The specific timing should depend on the egg temperature and the room temperature.

Pheasant Farming Costs and Profits  

1. Income forecast: taking the introduction of 50 groups (1 male to 5 females per group) of pheasants as an example, and calculating each hen's annual egg production at 100 eggs (the actual egg production is much higher), 250 hens produce 25000 eggs per year. Calculating the qualified rate of hatching eggs at 95%, and the fertilization rate, hatch rate and survival rate all at 85%, the annual output of pheasants is: 25000×95%×85%×85%×85%=14585 birds. After more than 3 months of raising, marketable birds can reach 1.5 kilograms; the current selling price is 30-50 yuan per bird, and even if sold at the price of local chicken, they can still sell for 24 yuan. Annual income: 14585 birds×24 yuan/bird=350000 yuan.  

2. Cost analysis:

① Breeding stock purchase: 24000 yuan.

② Feed cost: the cost per marketable bird is 7-10 yuan, and 14585 birds require about 140000 yuan in feed costs; the feed cost for breeding birds is about 10000 yuan. Total 150000 yuan.

③ Annual water and electricity expenses are about 1000 yuan. ④ Staff wages: calculated at an average of 6000 yuan per person per year, 2 people total 12000 yuan. Total expenses 187000 yuan.  

3. Profit: 35-18.7=16.3 ten thousand yuan. In the first year, the entire investment can already be recovered with a profit of 16.3 ten thousand yuan (and this is still calculated at the lowest egg production and selling price; the actual figure would be even higher), making the investment safe. 

Advantages of Pheasant Farming  

1. Low investment, quick returns  

There is no need to build large sheds or buy mechanical equipment; old houses, warehouses, pig pens and other spare rooms can be used for raising them. Adding nylon netting to doors and windows is enough for confined rearing, so less capital is tied up and turnover is fast. Generally, after hatching, the chicks can be marketed when they grow to about 70 days, reaching 3 jin at 100 days; breeding birds lay eggs after more than 5 months, with annual egg production reaching 150 eggs. If calculated at 100 eggs, with a fertilization rate and hatch rate of 85%, and a survival rate of 90%, 60 chicks can be produced.  

2. Strong adaptability, simple technology  

Pheasants were originally wild animals and have very strong vitality, with low environmental requirements. Pheasants tolerate high temperatures and resist severe cold, enduring high temperatures of 46℃ and severe cold of -32℃, with particularly strong disease resistance and low risk. They are easier to raise than domestic chickens, and the farming techniques are similar to those for domestic chickens.  

3. Wide feed sources, low cost  

Pheasants mainly eat the five grains and miscellaneous cereals, and are especially fond of tender leaves, tender grass, melon and fruit peels, and green vegetables. They have the advantages of small food intake, wide feeding habits, fast growth, easy rearing and low cost. An adult pheasant needs only one liang of daily feed, and raised from hatching they can reach 3 jin in 100 days, with a meat-to-feed ratio of 1:3.6, consuming 10.8 jin of feed, about 11 yuan in feed cost. In northern regions or when feed is mixed on site, the feed cost is even lower.

Effects and Functions of Pheasant  

The calcium, phosphorus and iron content of pheasant meat is much higher than usual, and it is also rich in protein and amino acids, making it a very good therapeutic tonic for anemia patients and people with weak constitutions. Pheasant meat also has the effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, increasing appetite, and stopping diarrhea. Pheasant meat has the special effect of eliminating phlegm and nourishing the brain, can treat coughing with phlegm and prevent senile dementia, and is a precious dish among game.  

1. Effects of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, increasing appetite, and stopping diarrhea.  

2. Pheasant meat has the special effect of eliminating phlegm and nourishing the brain.  

3. It can treat coughing with phlegm and prevent senile dementia.  

4. Stewing soup with pheasant meat can treat symptoms such as diabetes-like thirst, dry tongue, and dry mouth.

Pheasant farming is still very different from domestic chicken farming. Pheasant is actually a very good farming project; it belongs to the category of projects with low investment and quick returns, but any farming carries risk, so investing carries risk and one must be cautious when entering the market!