All the stages of the pheasant and partridge production cycle take place under the supervision of our personnel, who verify all aspects related to health and animal welfare.
Stage one: hatching and weaning
The production cycle starts with the selection of the breeding stock.
After hatching, pheasant and partridge chicks are moved to the weaning area, where they remain for the first 20 to 30 days of their lives. During this period, the chicks are fed and receive the necessary therapeutic treatments (vaccines) to face the subsequent transfer to the semi-open sheds.
In our game farm, all the vital processes (feeding, heating, gradual lighting, etc.) are fully automated to minimise the need for our operators to intervene in this area.
The automation of these processes allows for high standards in the pheasant and partridge production cycle and, more important, allows the birds to get used to the human presence.
Stage two: birds pre-acclimatisation to the outdoor environment
When they are about 20 days old, the pheasants and partridges move autonomously to the heated semi-open sheds. This is where they gradually acclimatise to increasingly lower temperatures, down to ambient temperature (with the help of a heating system for the coldest hours) and natural light (thanks to large adjustable windows during the day).
Next, the birds receive a second vaccine and go through a pre-acclimatisation period in pre-aviary cages connected to the sheds. Then, they are moved to the aviaries.
Stage three: final transfer to the aviaries
When the birds are 40 to 45 days old, they are transferred to outdoor aviaries. The characteristics of the aviaries allow the birds to learn to fly and run. The presence of olive trees and edible crops recreates a habitat as close as possible to their natural one, allowing them to roost up the trees or hide among the crops.
The aviaries
The aviaries are equipped with automated feeding systems, which minimise the need for the personnels intervention. They are also equipped with an artificial screen (90% shadow tarp), which prevents the birds from seeing those who transit outside. The birds have numerous olive trees and artificial perches available for an overall 1500/1800 linear metres.
As the aviaries are used for several cycles, the average surface available for each bird is about 3 sq.m.
Sale and transport
Once they reach the age to be sold (60 to 80 days for pheasant poults and 150 to 180 days for hunting) pheasants and partridges are moved to specific areas to be caught and placed into plastic crates or cardboard boxes authorised by the local healthcare authority, in compliance with the animal welfare regulation. Next, they are loaded onto the means of transport to be delivered to the customers.
Transport complies with the regulations in force concerning authorisations for both vehicles and personnel.
Feeding and anti-pecking system
Our pheasants and partridges are fed with balanced feeds during the weaning period and mixed grains, which are gradually added to the feed in the aviaries in a fully automated way.
We use natural anti-pecking systems while the birds are in the weaning area (40 to 45 days of life); this means low density and complete top-quality feed, and vitamin complexes in the drinking water.
For pheasants and partridges destined to be sold within 70 days of age, we place a little ring on their beak before they access the aviaries. This is the only mechanical operation required for achieving full plumage. This ring remains for no longer than 20 days and does not affect the shape of the beak.
For pheasants and partridges destined for hunting, we use lightweight beak bits that do not interfere with the birds sight.
