Why Do Pheasants Peck Each Other? Causes & Prevention

If you raise pheasants, you may notice birds pecking at each other or pulling feathers. This behavior, often called picking, can range from minor feather damage to more serious injuries and cannibalism.

So, why do pheasants pick, and how can you stop pheasants from pecking each other?

At MacFarlane Pheasants, we have raised pheasants for decades and have seen firsthand how space, feed, cover, weather, genetics, and other factors can affect picking. Understanding what causes the behavior is the first step toward preventing it.

Why Do Pheasants Pick at Each Other?

There isn’t always one reason pheasants begin picking. Several factors can contribute, and more than one may be happening at the same time.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Too many birds in a limited amount of space
• Not enough feeder space
• An unbalanced diet or inadequate protein and amino acids
• Not enough vegetation or cover
• Stress
• Hot weather
• Differences in breed and genetics
• A lack of places for birds to get away from each other

In our experience, stocking density is one of the first things to consider. Trying to keep too many pheasants in a pen can increase stress and give birds fewer opportunities to get away from one another.

What Does Pheasant Picking Look Like?

Broken or missing feathers are often the first sign that pheasants are picking at each other.

When young tail feathers are still growing and soft, birds may peck at them, leaving chips or missing sections in the feathers as they mature. In more severe cases, the entire tail feather may be pulled out.

Pheasants may also pick at the wings, particularly around the shoulders, as well as the saddle and back feathers. Back picking may start as a small bare area near the base of the tail and gradually become larger if the behavior continues.

Recognizing these signs early gives you a better opportunity to identify the cause and make changes before the problem becomes more serious.

Are Pheasants Aggressive?

Pheasants can be aggressive toward one another, particularly when they are kept in captivity. Roosters, or cock pheasants, tend to be more aggressive than hens, although hens can also pick at one another.

Genetics can also make a difference. We have found that some breeds and strains of pheasants are naturally more aggressive than others. This means the amount of space and management required can vary depending on the birds you are raising.

Aggression is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong with the bird. However, excessive picking and aggression can indicate that something about the birds’ environment or care needs to be adjusted.

How to Stop Pheasants From Pecking Each Other

There isn’t one simple solution for every flock. If you’re trying to figure out how to stop pheasants from pecking each other, we recommend looking at the birds’ entire environment.

Give Pheasants Enough Space

Adequate pen space is one of the most important factors in controlling picking.

Early in our season, for example, our six-week-old pheasants may enter outdoor pens when the vegetation is only a few inches tall. At that point, we provide approximately 45 square feet per cock and 35 square feet per hen. The extra space helps reduce picking while also allowing the vegetation in the pen to continue growing.

Once the cover reaches knee height or higher, we can generally combine birds and provide approximately 24 square feet per cock and 18 square feet per hen. At other points in the season, we may use approximately 22 square feet per cock and 16 square feet per hen.

These numbers reflect how we manage birds on our farm. Your needs can vary depending on your birds, pen design, vegetation, weather, and other conditions.

Get more details in our guide: How Much Space Do Pheasants Need? A Guide to Brooder, Feeder & Water Space

Provide Plenty of Cover

Vegetative cover gives pheasants places to move away from other birds and can help reduce picking.

Heavy cover and roosting areas can be particularly helpful because they allow birds to spread out rather than constantly interacting with one another.

Cover and space also work together. A large pen without adequate cover may not provide the same benefits as a well-managed pen where birds have plenty of places to move and separate themselves.

Make Sure Birds Have Enough Feeder Space

Pen size isn’t the only type of space that matters.

We allocate approximately 0.7 inches of feeder space and 0.1 inches of waterer space per bird. Providing enough access helps reduce competition around food and water.

Feed a Balanced Diet

Nutrition can also contribute to picking. Protein and amino acid levels are especially important, but pheasants need a properly balanced diet that provides all of the nutrients required for healthy growth.

When our birds move into the pens, we typically feed a 20% grower ration. We transition birds to a 14% ration based on their age and weather conditions.

You may hear suggestions such as adding salt blocks or meat and bone meal to prevent picking. We recommend following a properly researched feed formulation and your feed manufacturer’s recommendations rather than relying on one ingredient as a quick solution. Get more detail on feed recommendations in our complete feed guide for pheasants.

Reduce Stress When Possible

Stressful events can increase the risk of picking.

For example, birds that experience a ventilation failure or another traumatic event may temporarily require additional space and improved nutritional support.

Hot weather can also increase stress and picking, making it important to pay close attention to your flock when conditions change.

Consider Peepers When Appropriate

Peepers are another management tool used by many pheasant growers to reduce picking.

We use pinned peepers for many of our birds because they tend to stay in place and can be reused. Clip-on peepers are another option and can be removed quickly before shipping, although they cannot typically be reused and may be more likely to fall off.

We also raise some ringnecks without peepers. Those birds require significantly more room, even when excellent cover is available.

Genetics Can Affect Pheasant Aggression

Not every pheasant behaves the same way.

We have seen significant differences in aggressiveness among pheasant strains. Some birds can be very docile, while others are more likely to pick and become aggressive.

Our goal is to raise birds that retain the wild behavior our customers want without creating unnecessary aggression within the flock.

This is another reason it’s important to consider the type of pheasant you’re raising when deciding how much space, cover, and other management your birds need.

What’s a Group of Pheasants Called?

While we’re talking about pheasant behavior, here’s a fun pheasant fact: a group of pheasants can be called a bouquet, particularly when referring to pheasants taking flight. You may also hear groups of pheasants referred to by other collective terms like a flock.

Whatever you call your group, watching how the birds interact can tell you a lot about whether they have the space, nutrition, and environment they need.

Preventing Pheasant Picking Starts With Good Management

If your pheasants are pecking each other, don’t focus on just one possible cause. Look at the flock as a whole.

Adequate space, good cover, sufficient feeder and waterer access, balanced nutrition, stress management, and an understanding of your birds’ genetics can all play a role in reducing picking.

Most importantly, pay attention to changes in your birds. Missing feathers, bare areas, or increased aggression can be early signs that adjustments are needed.

MacFarlane Pheasants has decades of experience raising pheasants, and we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned. If you have questions about raising pheasants, preventing picking, or caring for your birds, contact our team for additional support.