Intensive Farming

Game Bird Welfare at Release

The welfare of game birds at and after release from rearing pens is a poorly regulated area requiring improved standards.

Key Facts

Released game birds have high initial mortality from predation and starvation
Low-quality rearing environments produce birds less equipped to survive release
Release site quality including food, water, and cover affects post-release welfare
Many released birds die before the shooting season begins

Welfare Considerations

Game birds released from intensive rearing pens into unfamiliar environments face challenges including predation, starvation from not recognizing wild food sources, and exposure. Poor welfare during rearing compounds poor welfare post-release. Release site preparation including food hoppers, cover, and water improves post-release survival and welfare. The welfare consideration extends beyond the release point to encompass the entire post-release period.

What You Can Do

Support game bird operations with high-quality rearing and prepared release sites
Advocate for post-release welfare standards in game bird regulations
Back research into release condition improvement for game bird welfare
Choose game meat from operations with documented welfare programs