Vol. 6, Issue 6, Part A (2021)

Author(s): Madan Mani Sapakota, Padam Raj Joshi and Nisha Gyawali

Abstract: Pheasants are some of the most hunted bird species in Nepal. There are very few studies and findings done regarding Kalij Pheasant which are still insufficient to learn more scientifically about the kalij pheasant, especially in relation to utilizing its potential as a good quality source of meat but by not threatening to its genetic diversity (Garson et al. 2000). Eight species of pheasants are recorded in Nepal:Common Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus), Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra), Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii), Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha), and Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos). Pheasants are commonly known birds in Nepal. There is a high degree of sexual dimorphism with the male bird being typically larger and more colorful than the smaller brown female. Up to the 8th week of rearing only the pheasants were fed with all-mash pelleted mixture starter, where 1 kg of feed contained 27.32% of protein and 2 800 kcal ME. From the 9th to the 16th week the birds were given the grower mixture, containing 24.21% of protein and 2 765 kcal ME, while starting from the 17th week to the end of rearing the finisher mixture, containing 18.06% of protein and 2 750 kcal ME should be feeded controlled environmental conditions (Smulikowska and Rutkowski 2005). They have a diploid number of 81 and 82 for females and males, respectively, with the sex chromosomes always unpaired in females. The complete mitochondrial genome is 1662 bp long and is composed of 13 typical protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes. The females are not territorial, construct a nest on the ground, and lay 6-14 eggs, laying one egg a day. Hatching can take 23-28 days and fledging takes 7-12 days, with the time to complete independence being 70-80 days. They generally live for 11-18 years in captivity, and approximately 3 years in the wild. Males may have an annual survival rate of 7%, compared with 21-46% for females.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2021.v6.i6a.391