My parents have become pheasant farmers

[andrewducker]

Shortly after my parents moved in a pheasant started visiting the house from the field next door. And my mum, being my mum, started feeding him. And then feeding him and his girlfriend. And then him, his rival, and their shared girlfriend. And now, when I fed the pheasants this morning (five slices of bread, chopped up into tiny cubes, and a large handful of seeds) I took a photo of the flock that descends upon the garden every morning and demands breakfast.



And they don't even get to eat any of them! The dogs also ignore them 95% of the time, happily watching the intruders wander about from the corner of their eye. And then, about once per week, displaying their dominance by charging across the garden, sending feathered beasties scattering in all directions.

You'll also note the separate bread on top of the pillar on the right, and the bird bath, for the _other_ birds that they attract to the garden.

Comments

[lilysea]

Pet pheasants! How delightful! ^_^

[flick]

Oddly (considering how often we see them out and about, including in our field), we very rarely get pheasants going through the seed spilt from the bird feeders. We have had them occasionally, and once a pair of partridges were in and out for a week or so.

On the other hand, Jo's learnt that not only are pheasants a Thing She Is Allowed To Chase but also that they result in lots of praise and treats when she hands them over, so it might be for the best!

[andrewducker]

How often has she brought you dinner?

[flick]

Only the two pheasants, and we had to give one of those away (it was on a neighbour's land). She's not actually a terribly good hunter, but she does try....

[splodgenoodles]

How absolutely lovely.

Why are they not eaten?

[andrewducker]

My parents value their aesthetics over their taste.

(If they wanted to eat pheasant then they'd buy some instead, so that they could keep the pretty birds in the garden.)