An Introduction to the Six Main Breeds of Farmed Pheasants

Now pheasant farming is found in many rural areas. China has 19 subspecies of pheasant; apart from 3 distributed in Xinjiang, the remaining 16 are distributed in our country, making them truly a specialty of China. At present, most farmed pheasants in China are produced by crossbreeding or domestication of subspecies. Below is an introduction to the six main breeds of farmed pheasants.

1. Northeast subspecies

The Northeast subspecies was developed in the early 1980s by the Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other institutions, through domestication and breeding of the Northeast subspecies of the ring-necked pheasant in China. The Northeast subspecies is slightly lighter in body weight than the American seven-colored pheasant. Adult male pheasants weigh 1250-1650g, and females 850-1000g. Annual egg production is 25-34 eggs, with the highest reaching 42-48 eggs. The average egg weight is 25-30g, and the shell color is rather variable, including dark brown, olive, and blue. The meat quality is superior to that of the American seven-colored pheasant, especially in its high amino acid content.

2. Hebei subspecies

Its appearance is similar to the Northeast subspecies, but the white eyebrow stripe is broader, and the white neck ring is also wider, especially at the front of the neck. Adult male pheasants weigh 1000-1300g, annual egg production is 20-25 eggs, and the average egg weight is 26.7g.

3. East China subspecies

Its appearance is the same as the Northeast subspecies, with an average body weight of 1135G. Because it has not undergone systematic selective breeding, its production performance is unstable.

4. Melanistic pheasant

It was also developed through selective breeding after a gene mutation occurred in the seven-colored pheasant. The feather color of adult male pheasants is similar to that of the peacock, and the feathers of female pheasants are dark brown. Its production performance and body weight show no obvious difference from the seven-colored pheasant. At present, breeding farms in China have already selected and retained stocks to establish lines.

5. Albino pheasant

It was developed through selective breeding after a gene mutation occurred in the American seven-colored pheasant. The feathers of both male and female pheasants are entirely white, and body weight and production performance are close to those of the seven-colored pheasant. At present, breeding farms in China have already selected and retained stocks to establish lines.

6. American seven-colored pheasant

The American seven-colored pheasant is currently the most widely distributed and most commonly raised pheasant breed. It was developed through crossbreeding and selective breeding of the East China subspecies of China and the Mongolian pheasant. Its feather color is basically similar to that of pheasants in China, though the feathers are slightly lighter than those of Chinese pheasants, and the white part of the neck ring is a bit narrower. After many years of breeding and selection, its body weight and production performance have both improved considerably compared with the original stock. The weight of growing male pheasants can reach 1800-2200, dropping to 1500-1800g after sexual maturity. Growing female pheasants weigh 1250G, and their weight before laying is 1300-1600g.

Many people are now very fond of game meats, especially pheasant, so raising pheasants offers good economic returns. You can choose a suitable breed to raise according to your own actual circumstances. Is there anything else you would like to add about pheasant breeds?

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