Behind the Scenes with Gamekeeper Chris: What gundog handlers need to know about rearing birds
Unless you’re a gamekeeper yourself or are actively involved in a small syndicate shoot, raising pheasants and partridges isn’t something many gundog owners think about.
It’s one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that few gundog trainers go into real detail about with their students. Here at Clicker Gundog, however, it’s an essential part of what we do.
In partnership with Kemble’s Field, rearing game birds is a year-round effort that allows us to further educate our students about fieldsports and what their dogs were bred for, as well as ensuring that they have access to realistic experiences that create a bridge between the training field and formal shooting.
From live game exposure days in September which can help with steadiness, through to group and private shoot experience days throughout the season, the Kemble’s Field shoot plays a crucial role in helping gundog owners develop their dogs’ field skills in a supportive, pressure-free environment.
In the “Gamekeeper Diaries” video series, our gamekeeper, Chris, takes you behind the scenes to share the highs and lows of the rearing process. From preparing pens, planting cover crops, dealing with predators, and teaching young birds to roost, these videos give an honest look at what goes into raising birds.
This blog walks you through the key aspects of rearing pheasants, from why we do it, to the challenges involved and how game birds can provide a sustainable, healthy source of protein. At the end, you’ll find our full 2025 Gamekeeper Diaries film - a compilation of the videos we shared in the Clicker Gundog private Facebook group from July to October.
An Overview of Rearing Game Birds
Rearing pheasants and partridges is a year-round commitment that requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the birds’ needs.
At Kemble’s Field, this process is overseen by our gamekeeper, Chris, whose duties begin well before the birds arrive.
Preparing the pens involves a range of tasks, from clearing brambles and strimming vegetation to repairing fences and setting up watering stations. This groundwork ensures the pens are secure and ready to provide the right shelter and resources for the birds as they settle in.
Once the poults arrive, the focus shifts to keeping them safe, fed and watered.
Chris is often seen “dogging in”, which involves walking the birds back toward the pens when they start to wander too far. Teal and Dibble play an integral role in this process. While Chris patrols the pens and surrounding areas, the dogs assist by gently guiding the pheasants back to their enclosure.
Over the months, Chris remains vigilant. From maintaining cover crops to protecting the birds from predators and managing risks like disease, his role is both varied and demanding.
Every detail from the type of feeders introduced to the timing of evening walks plays a part in ensuring the pheasants are healthy and well-prepared for their role in training shoots.
The Challenges of Rearing Pheasants
Rearing pheasants isn’t for the faint-hearted. As the Pheasant Diaries videos reveal, our gamekeeper, Chris, faces many challenges.
One of the first hurdles is the weather. From wet winters that delay planting cover crops to summer heat waves that make it difficult to keep water stations topped up, Chris must adapt every year to the constantly changing conditions.
Poor weather early in the season can limit crop growth, which impacts the cover available for the birds later in the year, while hot days mean extra vigilance to keep the pheasants hydrated.
Predators are another persistent challenge. Foxes, birds of prey, and other wildlife can threaten the pheasants, particularly in the early stages when they are less experienced at roosting safely. Chris uses a combination of secure fencing, habitat management, and regular patrols to minimise losses, but the threat is ever-present.
Keeping the pheasants inside the pen during their initial weeks is a key task. As seen in the Diaries, Chris often spends hours “dogging in” to herd the birds back to safety. This task becomes even trickier when the birds start exploring their surroundings and need to learn how to return to the pen on their own. Without this guidance, birds that stray too far may become disoriented or fall prey to predators.
Disease prevention is another critical part of rearing pheasants. Birds in close quarters quickly spread illnesses if precautions aren’t taken. Chris’s routine includes regular cleaning of feeders and water stations, monitoring for signs of disease, and ensuring the birds have enough space to reduce stress.
Despite these challenges, Chris approaches his work with unwavering dedication. Whether it’s mending a broken fence at dusk or responding to a predator attack, everything contributes to the safety and well-being of the birds. Rearing pheasants is hard work, but this commitment ultimately ensures the success of our training shoots.
How Kemble’s Field bridges the gap between the training field and the shooting field
Rearing game birds for the Kemble’s Field shoot gives gundog owners, including those who train at Clicker Gundog, access to unique experience days that allow gundogs to be gradually introduced to real-life shoot scenarios without the pressures of being on a formal shoot.
Pheasant-pelted dummies and launchers often don’t come close enough to the real thing for many dogs, especially those that are intelligent and have high prey drives.
With birds reared solely for the purpose of helping gundogs and their owners to refine fieldwork skills, on the Kemble’s Field shoot, it is possible to carefully plan experience days that are as close to real-life shooting scenarios as possible, that will set dogs up for success, all in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Hosted in September, the steadiness around live game exposure days are designed to help overcome the challenges of proofing a dog’s steadiness before the shooting season begins, depending on the different roles they will be partaking in.
Retrievers practise walk-ups with a Gun, steadiness to flush and shot, and retrieving in cover using cold game or other suitable items. They also refine standing behind a Gun - an essential skill for real shoot days.
HPRs (Hunt, Point, Retrieve breeds) develop hunting skills, scent identification, and pointing, followed by steadiness to flush and shot, where appropriate. Beating skills are introduced, and retrieving can be added depending on the dog and handler’s progress.
Hunting Retrievers (Spaniels) work on hunting in cover, steadiness to flush on indication and shot, and practice beating skills. Retrieves of cold game or similar articles are introduced when the dog is ready.
Then, from October to the end of January, private and group shoot experience days progress to simulate real shoot-day conditions.
These live game experience days are run exactly like any other shoot day, but the Guns are there solely for the dog's benefit, allowing handlers to test their dog’s ability and control in a more relaxed environment than on a formal shoot.
Participants can choose a beating or picking up role, with those looking for walk-up and rough shooting scenarios can opt for the special HPR breed-specific days and/or private shoot experience sessions.
For both handlers and dogs, these days offer a chance to put theory into practice. Whether it’s honing hunting ability, improving control, or mastering general field skills, every activity is designed to prepare for formal shoots or competitions.
For more information about Kemble’s Field’s gundog experience days, click here: https://kemblesfield.co.uk/collections/gundog-shoot-experiences
Putting Pheasants on the Table
Rearing partridges and pheasants at Kemble’s Field isn’t just about assisting Clicker Gundog clients in their pursuit of training their working gundog.
It is also about making the most of a sustainable source of protein. These birds offer an excellent alternative to commercially farmed meats, combining high nutritional value with a low environmental impact.
Pheasant meat is lean, high in protein, and packed with vitamins and minerals. Compared to some mass-produced poultry or processed meats, pheasant offers a healthier and more ethical choice.
Wild or ethically reared pheasants require far fewer resources than factory-farmed livestock, and their diet is naturally sourced from the environment rather than relying on processed feed. For anyone conscious about sustainability, incorporating pheasant into your meals is a simple yet impactful step.
If you’re new to cooking with pheasant, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it.
For a straightforward introduction, swap pheasant into any recipe that calls for chicken. It’s a versatile ingredient that works well in curries, pies, and even stir-fries. If you’re looking for more inspiration, BASC’s Eat Game website has a library of yummy recipes: https://eatgame.co.uk/recipes/
For gundog handlers attending the Kemble’s Field shoots, the opportunity to take home freshly shot pheasant is just one more way to appreciate the full cycle of the experience. It’s not just about working dogs - it’s about recognising the value of the birds and using them to create wholesome, nourishing meals.
The 2025 Gamekeeper’s Diaries
The “Gamekeeper’s Diaries” video series has given the Clicker Gundog and Kemble’s Field community a unique, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to rear game birds for training shoots.
From preparing the pens and welcoming the poults, to the daily challenges and triumphs, gamekeeper Chris has shared it all in an educational and engaging way.
We’ve compiled all the footage into a 50-minute film, offering a full journey through the 2025 rearing season.
Viewers will see Chris tackling real-world challenges, from keeping the pheasants safe from predators to managing the balance between their natural instincts and the needs of the shoot. There’s also plenty of footage highlighting the dogs’ role, offering a great example of how working dogs and gamekeepers collaborate.
The film doesn’t shy away from the realities of gamekeeping, either. It’s a testament to the dedication and effort required to rear game birds in a way that’s both ethical and effective, all while maintaining the welfare of the birds and the ecosystem around them.
If you’ve been following along with the Diaries on our private Facebook group, this compilation will feel like a fitting finale to the series. And if you’re new to the Gamekeeper’s Diaries, it’s the perfect introduction to the work that goes into making the Kemble’s Field gundog experience days possible.
Scroll down to watch the full video below…
2025 2026 Pheasant Diaries by Victoria M Rose