TRUE SILVER LOPHURA NYCTHEMERA NYCTHEMERA SOUTHERN CHINA

Another common pheasant found in many aviaries and one that is easy to care for, breed, and raise with no difficulties.  They are large birds both male and hen. The male achieves full color the second season but breeds in his first.  They like a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, and bread in the winter months.  These rugged birds can withstand winters worst and come into spring faring well.  The hen will easily set her eggs and raise her brood, but mostly after they are in their second season. We do remove the male and let the hen rear the young. They can be bred in trios. Have never had adults that squabbled after breeding season even though the male seems to think breeding season lasts 10 months a year. When more than one male is in the breeding pen and the space is small then you are asking for trouble as with any pheasants. True that the young after hatching get rambunctious but this is mostly due to overcrowding or having too many young males... Just looking at this male and the armor on his head with his spurs you can tell he is ready and able to defend his territory.  The Silver male will "stand his ground," and I wouldn't have it any other way as I do admire this pheasant. I have seen people scoot them away with their feet and this challenges the male to a contest on HIS space which does not work as he does not give up easily.   Some can be  rather rambunctious and have a nasty disposition, but if kept in large pens, they do well.  They are well prepared to fight and die for that small space they have so the keeper need not antagonize the Silver male and let him have his way on his ground. Just go around the bird and walk away.   We have seen some kept in small cages and these were the more aggressive birds.  Incubation is 26-27 days.

YEARLING SILVERS