After a busy spring and summer of rearing chicks to poults, gamekeepers reach the daunting stage of transferring birds into release pens. From this point onwards they are classed as 'wild birds' and are free to roam and nest, however it is crucial to the success of the shoot that they do not wander off the land.
Keeping game birds close after release and throughout the shoot season is the bane of every gamekeepers life, and what can seem an impossible task. Traditional methods for encouraging birds to nest within release pens include 'dogging-in' a process of using dogs to drive the birds back into their pens in the early morning and late evening.
There are, however, some crucial elements to consider when setting up the release pen which will determine how well the birds hold in the pens.
Water Sources
It is important to ensure pheasants and partridge have access to plenty of clean, hygienic water within the release pens. If an obvious water source isn't provided, birds will wander towards natural water sources which may be some distance from where you want them to be and could be contaminated with diseases from wild birds, such as Avian Influenza.
Open drinkers are another common source of disease in release pens as stagnant, shallow water provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to thrive.
Nipple drinkers can be connected to the mains water and keep water clean and hygienic. The Quill Adjustable Tank Drinker holds over 140 litres of water and has 22 stainless steel nipples positioned at the perfect height for birds to drink. It can be fitted with a ball-valve and float to be fitted to the mains water.
Feeding
Keeping on top of feeding after the birds have been released is an arduous task for any game keeper which involves a lot of time and labour. Small feed hoppers are a popular option on many shoots however they take a lot of time to fill and are often made from thin plastic which can easily degrade and shatter when left in the sun.
Large capacity feeders such as the Quill Feed Bin Kit and Quill Midi Feeder are moulded from durable, UV-resistant HDPE which can stand up to use outside for years to come. The larger capacity means that feed stays protected from the elements and requires topping up less frequently, saving time and labour.
For a more direct approach to keeping birds close, the Quill Trail Feeder brushes out neat rows of feed which can be distributed quickly from the trailer or on the back of an RTV. This is a great addition to shoots which struggle with birds wandering as feed can be quickly distributed in the exact location needed to pull birds back.
Attractants
Adding an attractant to feed will ensure birds are drawn towards feeders by scent and taste. We recommend an aniseed based attractant such as Quill Aniseed Oil Mix as aniseed is both highly palatable to birds and sweet smelling to draw them in.
Fencing & Pop Holes
When repairing or building a release pen, it is essential to fit pop-holes or 'fox grids' as they are sometimes called. These allow the pheasants and partridge to get back into the release pen at night without larger predators such as foxes being able to enter. The Quill Fox Grid has 8 holes and is galvanised to last outside for years.
