Rearing birds is expensive, so to get the most from that investment, they should be managed and fed in the best possible way, according to Jamie Horner, sales manager at Marsdens.
He says: “The overwintering of birds should not just be viewed as a period of dormancy, as this runs risk of underachieving breeding birds’ potential at this stage. Keeping birds over the winter is becoming increasingly popular to decrease the risk of disease and encourage healthy birds.”
Pheasants rely on a high-energy diet to maintain body heat and sustain themselves through the cold. Providing supplementary feed can really help improve their chances of survival and promote a healthy population.
Jamie says: “By feeding birds with an overwintering pellet, you help pheasants maintain their strength and vitality, ensuring they come out of winter in a healthy condition and ready for spring.
“Correct nutrition can help birds keep reserves of key minerals and micronutrients, in preparation for the breeding season. It is unlikely feeding wheat alone will provide birds with enough nutrition and can lead to a reduced egg production.”
Jamie explains: “The benefits of a well-balanced complete diet are significant. Healthy birds fly well and provide quality carcases.”
Marsdens has a range of carefully formulated overwintering diets, designed to keep your birds in the best condition ready for the coming season.
He says: “New to the market is Marsdens Hold’em overwinter pellets, containing soya oil. Spices and a premix containing all the essential elements and vitamins to help birds thrive once released. The betaine in the pellet helps keep intestinal cells hydrated while butyric acid provides an energy source for intestinal cells, supporting digestive function and defending against bacterial invasion.”
Marsdens Covert Release Pellet supports final stages of growth at release. Its high protein level is idea for growing birds and is available as a 2.5mm and 3.5mm short cut pellet.
Marsdens Overwintering Pellet is suitable for mature birds to hold them on the shoot and supplement natural diet. The pellet includes a vitamin premix and mixed source of protein and comes as 2.5mm and 3.5mm short cut pellet.
“The overwinter range can be supplemented with Marsdens’ Hold’em cut maize with aniseed and various seed mixes to keep birds where you want them to be. Feeding variety gives the best results,” adds Jamie. “Contact your account manager for more information.”
Feeding, alongside other factors, plays a key role in holding birds in specific areas beneficial to your shoot. Supplementary feeding with Hold’em mixes is key to a successful season, explains Jamie Horner, sales manager at Marsdens.
He says: “Seed mixtures fill the gap and supplements the poults’ vital natural feed sources. The addition of aniseed can further help as its highly palatable, strong attractant properties and pleasant aroma stops birds from straying.”
Specific release diets support birds as they adapt to their new environment, and the increasing diversity of food they will encounter.
Jamie says: “Hold'em is a range of seed mixtures, straights and over-wintering pellets designed to reduce the risk of birds straying and keep them in tip-top condition.
“If the bird is content with the environment it’s living in, it is less likely to wander. Hold'em is the ideal supplementary feed range, consisting of highly palatable custom-made mixes, straights and pellets designed to replenish dwindling feed stocks, reducing the risk of birds straying.”
Jamie continues: “At the time of shooting, pheasants need to be fit and not fat. They need to be strong and feathered up correctly, with good tails and in healthy condition. This won’t come from feeding a low-quality, unvaried diet.
“Nowadays, the vast majority of shoots which release partridge feed unmedicated partridge pellet right through the shooting season. Keeping birds on pellets for as long as possible and not substituting for wheat too soon will help to achieve the best results and greater returns.
“Game cover can also provide a useful source of feed and cover for birds, further helping birds to stay in the desired area.”
Contact your account manager for more information.
Contact our dedicated team of specialists for advice and how we can help your game business.
