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This may sound a little crazy, but this male pheasant has adopted me as his keeper, and I think it's three years I've had him around now, though he has gone missing for about six months at a time, then just reappeared, and acted like he'd never left.
Here he is, and it's about breeding time, so he's been shouting out at the top of his voice, and calling in all the local ladies. (Pheasants, that is).
Well, he's lost his voice, (and is looking like teenager who's lost his smart phone), but is still trying, though only managing a little croaky squeak. Oh, and all the local ladies he'd met, have wandered off to go with the pretty bloke from another field.
So, now he's left to moping around, and following me while I do the gardening, or tree planting, etc. (Not that he seems all that interested, he nods off!)
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone, who maybe keeps cockerels, or whatever, may have any ideas as to what's going on with his voice, and if it's likely to come back.
How interesting....I can see how he might get hoarse or temporarily lose the voice during mating season...
Hello, Greatblueheron, and, thank you. Yes, a great friend, and I'm there for him, with a hand full of wheat, for him to eat out of, when he taps on the door.
I forgot to say, that also, when he tries to just do a little squawk thing, as in just wanting my attention, he then does a sort of sneeze, as if trying to clear his nose, (beak).
As you say, it could just be overuse. Let's hope so.
Hello, Greatblueheron, and, thank you. Yes, a great friend, and I'm there for him, with a hand full of wheat, for him to eat out of, when he taps on the door.
I forgot to say, that also, when he tries to just do a little squawk thing, as in just wanting my attention, he then does a sort of sneeze, as if trying to clear his nose, (beak).
As you say, it could just be overuse. Let's hope so.
pheasants only live about 3 yrs in the wild. I'm wondering if it isn't nature's way of saying he's too old to breed.
Hello, PAhippo.
That is something I really hadn't considered, and in all honesty, I didn't know how long they live. Thinking about it, he is looking a little tatty, and I did used to call him Tatty Boy, (I've changed it now, to something he'll answer to), so maybe he's a lot older than they normally live to already.
Does he drink water that you put out for him? You could go to a livestock feed store and see if they have any antibiotic safe for pheasants. Follow the directions on the package.
I have a vague memory that says antibiotics for chickens sometimes say they are not to be used on pheasants. But since pheasants are raised commercially, there has to be something safe for them.
If he won't drink, then that idea won't work. If he does take the antibiotics, don't eat him for at least 30 days after.
If it is anything else besides a sore throat, the antibiotics won't help him and it isn't anything you can help him with.
Does he drink water that you put out for him? You could go to a livestock feed store and see if they have any antibiotic safe for pheasants. Follow the directions on the package.
I have a vague memory that says antibiotics for chickens sometimes say they are not to be used on pheasants. But since pheasants are raised commercially, there has to be something safe for them.
If he won't drink, then that idea won't work. If he does take the antibiotics, don't eat him for at least 30 days after.
If it is anything else besides a sore throat, the antibiotics won't help him and it isn't anything you can help him with.
Hello, Oregonwoodsmoke. Yes, he does drink, but it's from a big trough that's out there for all the birds.
I may just take a look at the local agricultural store, and see what they've got. I think it will be a little hard to get the dosage into him though, since the last couple of days, he's only popped in for breakfast.
No worries about the eating him, I'll not be doing that, though knowing that he wanders, I can't guarantee, on-one else will.
Give a local vet a call....see if you can get pointers. Hope he's ok....
The thing is, in every other way, he's just fine. I know, because he just came for his dinner, and after eating, he happily stood there cleaning/preening himself. I'll think of something, maybe make a few phone calls. I have a few people in the animal rights movement.
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