The Qutang pheasant from Hai'an, a county-level city in Nantong, Jiangsu province, recently attracted the attention of Shanghai residents at the 2023 Nantong Premium Agricultural Products Exhibition.

The pheasant, used for both its meat and ornamental value, is a rare and prized bird. While wild pheasants are protected under national law, domestically bred pheasants have become a favorite among consumers due to their exquisite taste, tender meat, and rich nutritional profile, offering immense market potential.

Huang Dongsheng, owner of the Qutang Ecological Breeding Cooperative in Hai'an, highlighted the cooperative's commitment to offering high-quality products at reasonable prices, catering to the evolving demands of consumers.

In 2018, Huang ventured beyond traditional farming methods to invest in pheasant breeding. In September 2019, his cooperative was established and secured the necessary permits for artificial pheasant breeding.

Huang's breeding process prioritizes free-range methods, with the pheasants fed a diet carefully curated by himself. This diet comprises fresh green fodder, straw, and a mix of grains, free from any additives or residues.

By sourcing raw materials from rural areas, Huang not only transformed agricultural waste like straw into a valuable resource but also addressed the concerns of local farmers, leading to both cost savings and increased incomes.

At present, the cooperative boasts a daily egg production of over 3,000, with each breeding cycle yielding approximately 10,000 pheasants and annual sales of around 50,000 birds. The cooperative has also expanded into a comprehensive service offering, encompassing pheasant breeding, processing, and sales.

Pheasants at Qutang Ecological Breeding Cooperative. [Photo/ntjoy.com]