Posts: 1,674
Threads: 81
Joined: Aug 2014
So I've had these wild chickens in my orchard for a few years now. There used to be a rooster last year but some dogs killed him I think and there's been no other roosters around unless there is a type that hides and doesn't crow. Miraculously enough low and behold one of the hens has chicks. I got to thinking there have been quite a few of those Kalij pheasant around and decided to gooogle it and check: yup sure enough pheasants and chickens can and will breed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamebird_hybrids
Which ponders the question if my hens have phickens from these pheasant males what would be the result from a pheasant/ duck breeding?
Posts: 905
Threads: 87
Joined: Jul 2011
I don't see ducks and chickens or ducks and pheasants breeding. Ducks and chickens have different sexual organs.
Dayna
www.E-Z-Caps.com
Dayna Robertson
At Home Hawaii
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
RS-85517
Dayna.JustListedInHawaii.com
Dayna.Robertson@gmail.com
Posts: 5,640
Threads: 101
Joined: Dec 2008
pheasant / duck? That can only be...
Posts: 7,754
Threads: 687
Joined: Jun 2011
Chickens are one of the bird species that can reproduce without males. Read up on parthenogenesis. Here's a few articles to get you started.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenogenesis (scroll down to bird section)
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and...world.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/8...mortality/
http://biologicalexceptions.blogspot.com...chive.html
Now that DNA testing is cheaper and widely available, we are discovering its a lot more common than we used to believe.
ETA: It's more likely you have a rooster nearby than a parthenogenetic leaning hen (especially if its a large healthy clutch). But if you DO have one, it could be your retirement bird, especially if its passing the tendency to its offspring. Lots of people would like to enjoy raising chickens without the crowing.
Posts: 127
Threads: 4
Joined: Feb 2007
Most of Lophura (Kalij, Silver, Fireback Pheasants) can and do cross with Gallus (Sonnerats Junglefowl, Chickens). Other species of Pheasants cross as well...Reeves xRingneck, Golden x Ringneck, etc.
A Pheasant could not cross with a duck...not even remotely related other than they have feathers.It would be like a human x Axis Deer cross.
Posts: 1,674
Threads: 81
Joined: Aug 2014
Cool info! The duck question was a joke obviously. Maybe not so obvious.
I wonder which is the most likely scenario?
I have a mute stealth-ninja rooster nearby mating with the hens or
A rare hermaphroditic type hen that needs no rooster or
A horny group of uh...pheasant cocks, that are taking advantage of my group of hens with no rooster.
Posts: 127
Threads: 4
Joined: Feb 2007
I'd stick with the horny pheasant scenario. Thanx for the clarification on the duck remark. Its Punaweb....you never know what folks on here believe after reading some of the TMT stuff...lol. Have a great day!
