Pheasant.com Blog

The gamebird industry is changing in significant ways due to the many risks that are involved in raising birds. The economy, weather and  the Avian Influenza outbreaks that have happened throughout the world In the past five years have impacted the gamebird industry in many ways. Gamebird producers have witnessed a change in both supply and demand for birds.  Bird producers who have thought about expanding their businesses have decided not to, or at least to think about that decision as the risk is greater. In previous years, people who are ordering hunting birds have been able to contact producers at the end of the season and buy them for $6 each, expecting producers to have overproduced. Now producers are taking orders in advance and only planning on raising the number of birds for which they have orders. Read More »

The main purpose of flight pens is to keep our pheasants safe and keep predators out. Rain, snow, wind, and heat are weather events that affect the flight pens at MacFarlane Pheasants. Read More »

Major snowstorms or freezing rain events can be disastrous at MacFarlane Pheasants! Before and after these events we have a plan to protect our game birds. We watch the weather carefully and check our birds night and day during the winter to be sure all heaters are working, that our birds have feed and water, and that all fences and netting are in working order. After the event, employees triage the entire farm to determine if there is damage and if so, what our priorities are for addressing the issues. I’ve listed some typical priorities after a storm emergency. Read More »

We look at multiple weather sites for information to plan our days and weeks on the pheasant farm. Generally, the Weather Channel, Accu Weather, and Wunderground, are our sources. We combine the forecasts and try to make rational decisions about our work and bird safety. Everything from warm rain to cold rain, snow and the wind affect our birds and the decisions we make! Read More »

Rain today, snow tomorrow. Such is life in the Midwest for you. This week the forecast has it all, and we are busy getting the farm ready for the season change. Read More »

The recent subzero weather has got many bird producers spooked that there might be a glut of pheasants hitting the market. Read More »

Our breeder flocks are at full production and we have 10,000+ seven week old pheasants ready to go into pens and it snowed. Read More »

Until yesterday, I don’t believe the temperature here has risen above the freezing mark for two months. We had about 12″ of snow cover (with 5′ drifts) – but after two days of 40 degree weather – you can see the dirt in the fields. Read More »