Barn 11 Renovation Complete

We’re excited to share that renovations on Barn 11 at our Janesville location are officially complete. This project marks an important step forward as we continue to grow our chick and mature bird business and invest in the future of our farm.

From Hen Barn to Brooder Barn

Barn 11 has been part of our operation for decades. Originally built in the 1990s and expanded several times over the years, it previously served as a hen barn for our white-bird business, housing hens raised for meat production and sale.

With that part of our business now behind us, we saw an opportunity to repurpose the space and better align it with our current needs. As demand continues to grow for both chicks and mature birds, expanding our brooder barn capacity became a clear next step.

Clearing the Way for Renovation

The first phase of the project involved removing all existing cages used for the white birds and equipment. After everything was removed, we opened up the space to create two large rooms and removed all interior north-to-south walls.

Because the barn had been expanded multiple times over the years, the flooring was not uniform. In the past, this wasn’t an issue because the space was primarily used to house cages. However, transitioning the barn into an open brooder space required a different approach. Steps and uneven flooring could create challenges for young birds, increasing the risk of injury and making movement more difficult.

To address this, we had new concrete poured to level the floors across the entire area. Creating a consistent floor height was critical to making the space safe and functional for young pheasants.

A New Layout Designed for Growth

Following the renovations, Barn 11 now features:

• Two main brooder areas: A Room and B Room
  Learn more about our brooding facilities process here.
• A dedicated employee biosecurity room to support health and safety protocols

This updated layout allows for better organization, improved workflow, and a more controlled environment for raising young birds.

Increased Capacity and First Birds In

We began renovations in December 2025 and recently completed the project, with the first birds moving into the barn during the week of April 4th.

At full capacity, Barn 11 can now house 11,000 chicks in both the A Room and B Room. At capacity, the barn will house 22,000 young pheasants.

Looking Ahead

The completion of Barn 11 is another example of how we continue to adapt and invest in our operation. By repurposing existing space and improving functionality, we’re able to support long-term growth while staying focused on efficiency, bird health, and overall performance.

We’re proud of the work that went into this project and excited about what it means for the future of MacFarlane Pheasants.