big bad lindz Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I may have an chance of obtaining some farmland with the view of putting down some pheasant and have a small working syndicate for next season. I am looking at what the expected up front costs could be. Buying poults, feeders, feed etc. There are a number of "wild" pheasant already in the area, mostly have come from the neighbouring farms who I know have some birds put down by a local estate. As yet I dont know how many local people may be interested and what would be an expected costs for the individual as well as assisting with the feeding etc. There is a good mix of grass fields for sheep grazing and a number of wheat & barley crops along with a few rough drainage gutters with a mix of trees & whins. There are also a number of ponds & splashes. Any advice would be grateful. Cheers, BBL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodach Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Hi BBL, To put down pheasants you would need release pens all sized depending on number of birds, also best place for pens are in woodland, the expence of constructing pens would be very exencive unless you can find some old pens for now't, next option would be ex layers, you would pay maybe £3.50 each home made deesers would work out about £10 each, allowing 0ne feeder per 30 - 50 birds, wheat cost us £250 per tonne and that would feed about 250 birds for the season, then there is the land rent to take into account I would estimate about £12 per bird and that is you doing all the work. If I was you I would put out feesers and try an keep the birds that filter in, fox control and maybe after a couple of seasons think about a couple of pens for say 100 birds each. Hope this helps. Bod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 If it was me I'd do like Bodach said and concentrate on keeping what is already there. Now would be an ideal time to start feeding as it could encourage them to breed on your patch. Feed for ducks on the ponds and splashes during late summer. Make sure there's plenty of cover in the spinneys etc and if there's enough space/interest put some game cover in. Get a decent bunch of lads together first and then expand into rearing etc later. This way you will keep your costs spread over and not risk loads all at once. Just my thoughts and I'll be envious if you get it together!! Good luck. GH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratts Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've been thinking of doing the same mate so I'll be interested in the replies. I got a couple of books specifically about running a small shoot which have real good basic advice for us noobs. I'll see what they were called and let you know coz they are good bedtime reading, Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Starting from scratch costs lots. Building and protecting your pens and buying traps and feeders is your main outlay, that is before you consider the cost of poults, pellets and wheat and the time involved in getting on top of your vermin. Pretty much all as bodach said, I would tighten the ratios a bit, allow a feeder per 25 birds and a ton of wheat per hundred birds (and that may see you through the season but not into the closed season when you should still be feeding). Not trying to put you off, but setting up IS a costly and time consuming business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Indeed the amount of wheat suggested is low, double it and then some. Best advice is start small and hence lower cost and you have less to loose. Ok you limit the number of days but that can be good as it allows you to shoot elsewhere. We took on a shoot this year that we knew well and put down 275 birds had 4 days averaging 50 birds a day and total cost will be arround the 2k mark but pen was there and the wheat just gets lost so to speak as its my mates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockers Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Best of luck with your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Try some red legs on the ground if not to many high points to drive birds over, usually quite happy in crops after release. If you have a wood central on your land you could try one small pen with minimal out lay, to see how the land holds the birds and to top up the wild population. Feed the splashes and put some ducks on. Most enjoyable day rough shooting with friends and dogs with the bonus of a duck flight to finish the day,sounds like it could be a good shoot. Best of luck and hope it works out for you. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Like minded Folk to muck in and spread the cost. Good luck with it all, wish i was near.would love to help out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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