Biting pheasants

Biting is very common and highly advised when it comes to rearing pheasants across the UK. The process is time consuming with each bird having to be caught and bited manually, but it would be detrimental to the bird if they were left un-bited.

Due to the cannibalistic behaviours of pheasants that are reared on game farms in a captive environment, game farmers choose to ‘bit’ their pheasants. A ‘bit’ is a small piece of plastic that is inserted around the top of a bird’s beak and into its nostrils. This prevents them from being able to fully close their beaks completely and therefore stops them from feather pecking and reduces aggression towards other birds. The bit is small enough to allow the bird to still be able to eat our 2mm Micro pellets with ease.  

Why is it important?

• Pheasants can develop aggressive behaviours when held in a captive environment. This can lead to them feather pecking and causing injury to one another. Biting will help prevent this by limiting their ability to cause harm and reduces the risk of injuries that could lead to infections or death.
• Minimising aggressiveness within the flock to lower stress levels for the birds. The healthier the overall environment that a bird is living in, the happier the bird will be.
• Improves plumage quality by reducing the feather pecking from a young age. This means that they will maintain an even and healthy feather covering throughout their time on farm.
• Biting pheasants can help towards keeping costs down per bird. With fewer injuries and health issues the veterinary costs and overall losses will be lower.
• Heathier birds with fewer injuries and health issues during rearing, will have a better survival rate which is crucial for a bird later in its life. The bird will be more robust and hardy once released onto shoots.

Biting is done using a biting machine. This machine is very easy to use. Once you have picked your bird you gently squeeze the corners of the birds mouth to get it to open, once open you attach the bit around its top part of the beak and release. This does not cause any pain or harm to the bird when done correctly.

The bits are usually put onto a pheasant between 2 - 3 weeks of age and left on until they are caught up to be taken to their release pens at 6 - 7 weeks of age. When they are caught, they are then removed. Removing the bit does not hurt or distress the bird.