Melanistic Mutant Pheasant
The Melanistic Mutant Pheasant originated in Europe over 100 years ago. These large, beautiful iridescent, greenish-black pheasants are a favorite variety for release and have a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild.
Male Melanistic Mutant Pheasants are entirely dark with a glossy green and blue sheen and weighs around 3.5 lbs. at maturity. Females weigh about a pound less than the males and are greenish-black and lay small brown eggs. Females can lay an egg a day — and about 30-40 eggs per season — but require 12-14 hours of light to produce an egg. Baby Melanistic Mutant Pheasant chicks are black with blonde spots or stripes on their necks. Melanistic Mutant Pheasants mature at about 16-18 weeks. When raising flocks of these birds, keep a ration of 1 male to 5 females.
Their ideal habitat is primarily crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains but should also include some wetlands, grassland, woodland or brushy thickets. When holding in a pen or aviary, be careful not to crowd pheasants.
Feed Melanistic Mutant Pheasants:
- 1-5 Weeks: 28% pheasant / gamebird starter feed
- 6-12 Weeks: Switch to a 20% pheasant / gamebird feed
- 13+ Weeks: Feed a 16-18% pheasant / gamebird feed
Note: a physical address of the final destination is required for the health papers that accompany the birds. We recommend checking with your state wildlife or regulatory agency before placing orders for gamebirds.