Effect of Protein Levels in the Diet on the Growth of Pheasants

Abstract

Rate of growth, feed consumption, mortality, and feathering were studied in an unselected line of Chinese and Mongolian Ring-necked pheasants fed different levels of protein. In experiment 1, approximately 180 pheasants were fed 16, 20, 24, or 28% protein from the 2nd through the 14th week of age. In experiment 2, 264 unsexed Mongolian and Chinese Ring-necked pheasants were fed 16, 20, or 24% protein from the 3rd through the 15th week of age. Feed consumption and body weight were measured biweekly. Completeness of feathering was measured at 14 weeks of age in experiment 1, and at 5, 11, and 15 weeks in experiment 2. Results of both experiments indicated that despite the differences due to sex and species, best growth was obtained in pheasants fed a ration containing at least 24% protein. Pheasants fed rations containing 16% protein grew significantly (P<0.01) slower than did comparable birds fed higher levels of protein. High-protein diets favored good feathering during early growth, but this advantage was lost as the birds became older. Mortality was higher in groups fed 16% protein as compared to that in groups fed 20% or more protein. Although birds fed diets low in protein consumed less feed than did birds in comparable groups fed higher levels of protein, the savings were offset by the higher incidence of mortality in the low-protein groups. We concluded that starter rations for pheasants must contain at least 24% protein. This level can be reduced to 20% after about 8 weeks of age. After 16 weeks of age, the pheasants can be fed diets with no more than 10% to 12% protein.