Wildlife

Pheasant and Partridge Shooting Welfare

Approximately 50 million pheasants and partridges are released annually in the UK for shooting, raising welfare questions throughout the rearing and shooting process.

Key Facts

UK pheasant releases represent one of the largest game management operations globally
Rearing in small cages before release causes welfare harm from restricted movement
Release mortality is high with many birds failing to survive the first weeks
Driven shooting requires multiple flushes with some birds wounded rather than killed
The relationship between game management and raptor persecution remains controversial

Welfare Considerations

Pheasant welfare concerns arise at every stage: rearing in barren cages, release stress, predation and starvation during establishment, and wounding during shooting. Despite the scale of releases, pheasants are not covered by farm welfare legislation during rearing. Welfare reforms including larger rearing pens, environmental enrichment, and improved shooting standards can reduce suffering at each stage.

What You Can Do

Support welfare legislation covering pheasant rearing operations
Advocate for shooting standards that minimise wounded birds
Learn about the ecological complexity of game management and wildlife
Support research into pheasant welfare during rearing and release
Engage thoughtfully with debates about game shooting and wildlife welfare