Tens of millions of pheasants and partridges are reared annually in the UK for shooting, with welfare concerns throughout the production and release cycle.
The welfare of game birds during rearing and release raises significant concerns. Intensive rearing conditions including overcrowding and beak clipping cause clear welfare harm. Birds released into the countryside are not effectively wild and face high mortality from predation and starvation. The ecological impact of releasing 60 million non-native birds annually is significant and welfare-relevant for native wildlife. Reform of game bird rearing and release practices to reduce welfare harm is overdue.