Release pens

Bushwack

Ok fellas,a question or ten.

First of all what is the best way to build a release pen,open top or closed or a section closed when young polts are entered with a outer pen for release when the polts are settled and mature.

What ways have you released pheasant in the past and did it work out and what sort of percentages were shot.

Will greenbelt or has anybody rent shooting rights or forestry for rearing game.


Our club is going to go down the route of the big pen as the little pens have not given us good percentages shot so any advice welcome please.

Thanks in advance lads.

td5

If you are on Facebook have a look at Drumbanagher shoot. They have built a new pen and have posted a load of photos of it been constructed. It seems to be a mighty job.

Bushwack

Had a peep there,class act,thanks.

djflawless

Cant comment from knowledge but just to add a bit of info, we currently use release pens with no roofs, built from security fencing.
2 sheets length by 1 wide..a few roosts inside and a vermin grid
Were only using them since last year so won't be against/for just yet

Bushwack

djflawless wrote: »

Cant comment from knowledge but just to add a bit of info, we currently use release pens with no roofs, built from security fencing.
2 sheets length by 1 wide..a few roosts inside and a vermin grid
Were only using them since last year so won't be against/for just yet

I know what you mean,we were at the same with poor results so now we are going down the half acre pen route.

We just cant decide if we should have a covered section in the middle,a pen inside a pen if you like.

Thanks.

ronn

Our club has a main pen 1.5 acres and 5 small release pens, we put all the poults in the main pen, then when the poults get bigger we move them to the release pens, keep them there with the nets on for a week then take the nets off and let them come and go as they please.
Last year we bought in adult birds and just released them for the main pen, we fed the surround areas and most people had a great years shooting, were doing the same this year, getting adult birds

Bushwack

ronn wrote: »

Our club has a main pen 1.5 acres and 5 small release pens, we put all the poults in the main pen, then when the poults get bigger we move them to the release pens, keep them there with the nets on for a week then take the nets off and let them come and go as they please.
Last year we bought in adult birds and just released them for the main pen, we fed the surround areas and most people had a great years shooting, were doing the same this year, getting adult birds

That sounds like a good idea,can I ask do you clip the poults wings before you put them in the 1.5 acre pen and or is there a section with a net over it for the poults when they first arrive.

ronn

No the entire pen is covered, we got the net from a net maker out in howth €250,

Tawny Owl

We had an open pen and clip 1 wing when the poults arrive, given them time to settle, the pen is open top with tall trees inside to roost, all the birds must learn to roost asap, other wise Mr Fox will get them when they do leave the pen, bring down branches so they can fly to the lower areas first, and as the change colour and mature they will roost higher, great to sit there in the evening as the night draws in and see them all leave the ground to roost. best of luck with your big pen if you want photos let me know I will upload them.

Tawny Owl

Some photos

Bushwack

Tawny Owl wrote: »

We had an open pen and clip 1 wing when the poults arrive, given them time to settle, the pen is open top with tall trees inside to roost, all the birds must learn to roost asap, other wise Mr Fox will get them when they do leave the pen, bring down branches so they can fly to the lower areas first, and as the change colour and mature they will roost higher, great to sit there in the evening as the night draws in and see them all leave the ground to roost. best of luck with your big pen if you want photos let me know I will upload them.

That's class thanks for that,more pictures the better.

Is it better to feed on the rides with the whistle or have feeders in the pen.

Any more advice welcome lads,thanks.