Shady Hollow
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| Ruffed Pheasants |
Name: This class is named for the ruff of feathers
on the cocks' neck. Golden Pheasants are named
after the countess of William Amherst. The Latin
name for this genus, chrysolophus, means 'golden
crest'. This refers to the yellow crest of the Goldens
and the red crest of the Amherst.
on the cocks' neck. Golden Pheasants are named
after the countess of William Amherst. The Latin
name for this genus, chrysolophus, means 'golden
crest'. This refers to the yellow crest of the Goldens
and the red crest of the Amherst.
Origin: Lady Amherst Pheasants originate from
found feral or introduced in many places.
found feral or introduced in many places.
Uses: As the most common ornamental pheasant,
this family is widespread as an aviary bird.
Secondary uses are for decor and crafts. The
feathers are commonly used in fly-tying, with the
males' hides being sold.
this family is widespread as an aviary bird.
Secondary uses are for decor and crafts. The
feathers are commonly used in fly-tying, with the
males' hides being sold.
Varieties: The Lady Amherst Pheasant cock is colored primarily white, black and blue. He has red
streamer feathers in the tail, a yellow rump and a red crest above his silver/black ruff. Golden Pheasants
are found in a few mutation varieties. The wild Red Golden is a deep red color with green, brown and
blue wings. A yellow rump accompanies red streamers in the tail. Red Goldens have an orange and
black ruff with golden yellow crest. Yellow Goldens are similar, except the deep red is replaced with
bright yellow. Silver, Cinnamon, Peach and Dark-Throat mutations are also present. Hens of both
species look similar, banded tan and black. Lady Amherst hens have blue orbital wattles, opposed to the
Golden hens' red wattles. Golden mutation hens like the Cinnamon and Yellow are distinguished by
lighter color variations.
streamer feathers in the tail, a yellow rump and a red crest above his silver/black ruff. Golden Pheasants
are found in a few mutation varieties. The wild Red Golden is a deep red color with green, brown and
blue wings. A yellow rump accompanies red streamers in the tail. Red Goldens have an orange and
black ruff with golden yellow crest. Yellow Goldens are similar, except the deep red is replaced with
bright yellow. Silver, Cinnamon, Peach and Dark-Throat mutations are also present. Hens of both
species look similar, banded tan and black. Lady Amherst hens have blue orbital wattles, opposed to the
Golden hens' red wattles. Golden mutation hens like the Cinnamon and Yellow are distinguished by
lighter color variations.
Terms: Hatchlings are known as chicks, males are cocks and females are hens. Small colored skin
around the cocks' eyes are known as orbital wattles. The central group of feathers on the top of the head
is the crest. The fan-like feathers that flow off the neck and cape are known as the ruff. The tail is made of
a main central feather with other large 'calico' feathers beneath it. From the edges of this tail, red
streamer feathers offshoot. The small spikes on the back of the legs are called spurs.
around the cocks' eyes are known as orbital wattles. The central group of feathers on the top of the head
is the crest. The fan-like feathers that flow off the neck and cape are known as the ruff. The tail is made of
a main central feather with other large 'calico' feathers beneath it. From the edges of this tail, red
streamer feathers offshoot. The small spikes on the back of the legs are called spurs.
into ornamental pheasants. Only with crowded conditions do they become aggressive with one another.
With too many males in one enclosure they can get territorial during breeding season when hens are
present. Bachelor pens are usually possible if they are large enough. Goldens and Amhersts both chirp
and peep as they mull about their day, a welcome little song among the farm. They let out a shrill cry when
startled or attacked. During courtship the males really show off. They strut for the hens, countering their
body toward the intended mate. The ruff on the neck is extended forward and creates a fan-like mask
across the cocks' face, completing a semi-circle all the way up to his beak The ruff appears as an
orange/black banding across the face of the Goldens and as a silver/black banding on the Amherst's.
With too many males in one enclosure they can get territorial during breeding season when hens are
present. Bachelor pens are usually possible if they are large enough. Goldens and Amhersts both chirp
and peep as they mull about their day, a welcome little song among the farm. They let out a shrill cry when
startled or attacked. During courtship the males really show off. They strut for the hens, countering their
body toward the intended mate. The ruff on the neck is extended forward and creates a fan-like mask
across the cocks' face, completing a semi-circle all the way up to his beak The ruff appears as an
orange/black banding across the face of the Goldens and as a silver/black banding on the Amherst's.
Courtship is observed during this period, starting in late winter. For these species, 4-7 hens per male is
the usual ratio. 10 hens with 2 cocks in a large pen is another common set-up. Incubation lasts 22-23
days and the fragile chicks hatch, ready to go. They are fairly easy to raise, but should not be kept with
more aggressive birds. Because they are so timid they make an easy target for other chicks. Slightly
older birds (1-2 weeks) are usually used as surrogate brothers and sisters for the more difficult chicks.
Since Goldens and Amhersts are easier to raise and get off to a good start they will set an example to the
other birds as to where to find feed and water in the brooder. Both species are sexually mature at one
year of age but males do not acquire full plumage until two years old.
the usual ratio. 10 hens with 2 cocks in a large pen is another common set-up. Incubation lasts 22-23
days and the fragile chicks hatch, ready to go. They are fairly easy to raise, but should not be kept with
more aggressive birds. Because they are so timid they make an easy target for other chicks. Slightly
older birds (1-2 weeks) are usually used as surrogate brothers and sisters for the more difficult chicks.
Since Goldens and Amhersts are easier to raise and get off to a good start they will set an example to the
other birds as to where to find feed and water in the brooder. Both species are sexually mature at one
year of age but males do not acquire full plumage until two years old.
Keeping: Since these pheasants are relatively small and timid, they do not require quite as much space
as other pheasants. They can be rather flighty and so should have a tall enclosure with plenty of high
perches. They do not eat or drink much so it is wise not to over-feed, which will just lead to wasted grain.
Hens will lay eggs in a nest if it is provided. A 5 gallon bucket, cut in half, is a good nest for pheasants like
these. They can tolerate cold temperatures as long as they are kept out of the snow and wind, sustaining
temps below -10 degrees. Since they are a forest bird, shade should be provided during hot summer
months. They do not do well with wet conditions so be sure the aviary is well drained and dry.
as other pheasants. They can be rather flighty and so should have a tall enclosure with plenty of high
perches. They do not eat or drink much so it is wise not to over-feed, which will just lead to wasted grain.
Hens will lay eggs in a nest if it is provided. A 5 gallon bucket, cut in half, is a good nest for pheasants like
these. They can tolerate cold temperatures as long as they are kept out of the snow and wind, sustaining
temps below -10 degrees. Since they are a forest bird, shade should be provided during hot summer
months. They do not do well with wet conditions so be sure the aviary is well drained and dry.
