Most pheasants in breeders pens have blinders on them, even the hens, as both sexes are cannaballistic. This also helps them catch them in the pens and the blinders are removed when caught.
Breeders usually keep the first hatched birds as breeders, with the ratio being 1 cock to 10 hens and are put in a separate pen and by late Feb. early March are put in their own pens.
I think the main concern is by this time the hens are starting to loose scent as the wild birds will start a nest but will not set until the last egg is laid which is usually about 2 weeks time.
Since there are no longer any pheasants around here, we don't have to worry about that.
