Comprehensive Guide to Hatching Golden Pheasant Eggs Successfully

Golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus) are striking birds that make excellent additions to backyard aviaries due to their vibrant colors and relatively easy care requirements. The process of hatching golden pheasant eggs requires attention to specific temperature, humidity, and handling protocols that differ slightly from those used for common poultry. This guide synthesizes expert knowledge on successfully incubating golden pheasant eggs, from collection through hatching. Golden pheasant eggs typically require 22-24 days of incubation with specific temperature and humidity parameters, careful turning procedures, and special considerations during the hatching phase to achieve optimal results.

Equipment and Setup Requirements

Essential Incubation Equipment

Successful hatching begins with proper equipment. You’ll need a reliable incubator with accurate temperature and humidity controls. While forced-draft incubators are commonly used for commercial operations, research indicates that golden pheasant eggs actually hatch better in still-air machines or under broody hens, though this may not be practical for most breeders.

Your incubator should include:

• Accurate temperature controls
• Humidity regulation system
• Egg turning mechanism (automatic or manual)
• Proper ventilation system
• Separate hatching compartment (or a separate hatcher)

For verification purposes, it’s advisable to use a mercury thermometer even if your incubator has digital readings, as this helps ensure the temperature remains consistent. Having a wet bulb thermometer is also essential for monitoring humidity levels accurately.

Preparing Your Incubator

Before introducing eggs, your incubator must be properly prepared:

1. Run the incubator for at least 24 hours before adding eggs to stabilize temperature and humidity
2. Verify that the temperature has reached the appropriate setting (99.8°F/37.7°C for golden pheasants)
3. Confirm proper humidity levels (around 55% relative humidity)
4. Ensure good airflow within the incubator
5. Test all automatic features including turning mechanisms if present

This preparation period is crucial as it allows you to make necessary adjustments before risking valuable eggs.

Egg Collection and Preparation

Collection Practices

Golden pheasant hens typically begin laying in spring, with the season extending through summer. A healthy hen may produce up to 20 eggs throughout a breeding season. For optimal hatching results:

1. Collect eggs daily to prevent contamination and damage
2. Handle eggs with clean hands, minimizing contact and avoiding shaking
3. Gently clean eggs if necessary, wiping rather than washing when possible
4. Keep accurate records of collection dates

Research shows that hatchability is highest at the beginning of the egg-laying period, with success rates of approximately 77-80% for early eggs compared to declining rates in later periods.

Storage Considerations

How you store eggs before incubation significantly affects hatchability:

1. Store eggs with the pointed end down
2. Maintain storage temperature between 55-65°F (13-18°C)
3. Keep relative humidity at 70-75%
4. Minimize storage time when possible

Studies indicate that golden pheasant eggs stored for only 1-3 days achieved 86% hatchability, while those stored 4-10 days dropped to 38% success rates. This demonstrates the importance of setting eggs promptly after collection.

The Incubation Process

Temperature Parameters

Golden pheasant eggs require precise temperature control:

• For days 1-19/20: Maintain temperature at 99.8°F (37.7°C ± 0.1°C)
• Some sources recommend 99.4°F for pheasants generally, but specific research on golden pheasants indicates the slightly higher temperature is optimal

Temperature consistency is critical, as fluctuations can significantly impact hatchability and chick quality.

Humidity Requirements

Proper humidity prevents excessive moisture loss while ensuring sufficient weight reduction during incubation:

• For days 1-19/20: Maintain relative humidity at 55% (± 5%)
• An alternative recommendation suggests 53% relative humidity (83-84°F wet bulb)

Research on golden pheasants specifically showed that eggs lose approximately 13.2% of their initial weight during 19 days of incubation, which provides a benchmark for checking if humidity levels are appropriate.

Egg Turning Protocol

Turning prevents the embryo from adhering to the shell membrane:

1. Turn eggs minimum 3 times daily if done manually
2. Ideally, eggs should be turned hourly if using automatic systems
3. Turn at a 45° angle with a 90° rotation
4. If turning manually, turn an odd number of times daily so eggs don’t spend two consecutive nights on the same side

Candling Schedule

Candling helps identify infertile eggs and monitor development:

1. First candling: Day 7 of incubation
2. Second candling: Day 14 of incubation
3. Final candling: Day 19 (before transfer to hatcher)

For candling, a piece of foam and a handheld mag light often works well, though commercial candlers are available. Infertile eggs should be removed to prevent potential contamination of developing eggs.

Hatching Phase

Transfer to Hatcher

Around day 19-21 of incubation:

1. Discontinue turning the eggs
2. Transfer eggs to hatching trays or baskets if using a separate hatcher
3. Adjust temperature to 97.8°F (37.2°C)
4. Increase humidity for the hatching phase

The transfer should be done carefully to minimize stress to the developing embryos.

Humidity Adjustment for Hatching

During the hatching phase, humidity is critical:

1. Increase humidity to approximately 65-70% for the initial hatching phase
2. When active hatching begins (eggs pipping), raise humidity further to 75-90%

If humidity is too low during hatching, chicks will have difficulty penetrating the shell membrane, which becomes too hard and rubbery.

Hatching Timeframe

Golden pheasant eggs typically hatch after 22-24 days of incubation. Factors affecting exact hatch time include:

• Incubation temperature (higher temperatures generally result in earlier hatching)
• Genetics of the breeding stock
• Egg storage time before incubation (longer storage usually leads to later hatching)

Non-Intervention Period

Once hatching begins:

1. Avoid opening the incubator frequently as this reduces humidity
2. Do not assist chicks with hatching unless absolutely necessary
3. Allow chicks to hatch naturally, which may take 24-36 hours from first pip to emergence

Post-Hatching Care

Initial Care in Incubator

After hatching:

1. Allow chicks to rest and dry in the incubator for 8-24 hours
2. Some sources recommend 1.5 to 2 days in the hatcher before transfer
3. This drying period helps chicks transition to life outside the egg

Brooder Setup

Before transferring chicks to a brooder, ensure it is properly prepared:

1. Maintain brooder temperature at approximately 95°F (35°C) for the first week
2. Provide clean, dry bedding material
3. Have water and appropriate starter feed ready
4. Ensure adequate space and ventilation

Initial Feeding and Care

Golden pheasant chicks require specialized care:

1. Provide game bird starter feed, ideally slightly ground for smaller beaks
2. Ensure constant access to clean water sources
3. Gradually introduce larger feed particles as chicks grow
4. Monitor chicks closely for signs of distress or illness

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Poor Hatchability

If experiencing low hatch rates, consider these factors:

1. Egg fertility – ensure proper male-to-female ratio in breeding flock
2. Storage conditions – minimize storage time and maintain proper conditions
3. Incubator parameters – verify temperature and humidity settings
4. Turning frequency – insufficient turning leads to embryo adhesion
5. Breeding stock nutrition – provide adequate protein and supplements to breeding birds

Humidity Challenges

For humidity issues:

1. If eggs lose too much weight (more than 13-14%), increase humidity
2. If eggs lose too little weight, decrease humidity slightly
3. Use multiple water reservoirs in the incubator to stabilize humidity
4. Consider using wet hessian or automatic misting systems during hatching

FAQ

Conclusion

Hatching golden pheasant eggs requires attention to detail and specific parameters that differ somewhat from those used for common poultry. Success depends on maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels, proper egg turning, and careful management during the critical hatching phase. With proper equipment, preparation, and monitoring, breeders can achieve good results even with limited experience.

For those new to breeding pheasants, it’s worth noting that golden pheasants are considered among the easiest pheasant species to breed and raise, making them an excellent starting point for beginners. Their striking appearance and relatively hardy nature reward the effort involved in the hatching process.

As with any breeding endeavor, keeping detailed records of your procedures and results will help you refine your techniques over time and achieve increasingly successful hatches with each breeding season.