Pheasant Fact Friday
The chicks finally reach adult size and weight in October. While the same size, they must consume more energy than their parents, as they’re still molting their feathers. As the hunting season opens, most young roosters have replaced all their brown body feathers with adult-colors. However, close examination of the chick's three outermost flight feathers will reveal blue, blood filled shafts — meaning the birds are still growing.
The adult rooster finished his molt last July, so in October his flight feathers are not growing. This is one way to tell if you harvested a tender young bird or a tough old bird.
Pheasant Fact Friday is presented by @irishsetterboots
#pheasantsforever #pheasantfactfriday #thehabitatorganization