Fledgling birds business takes off

11-08-2010 | Not Specified

Murray and Fraser McKnight are long-time fans of game bird hunting and have taken the first steps of turning their hobby into a part-time, on-farm diversification called Rough Ridge Game Birds.

Earlier this year they had Rough Ridge designated as an upland game property and formed a partnership with Brian Hensley, an Alexandra game bird breeder.

Brian has UK experience of the game bird hunting business and supplied the McKnights with 250 pheasants and 50 guinea fowl.

They were kept in a 45m by 20m shade cloth enclosure and the plan was to release them en masse onto the hill country at Queen's Birthday weekend for free-range hunting.

Unfortunately a heavy dumping of snow caused serious damage to the enclosure and the birds headed for the hills earlier than planned.

Strategically placed barley feeders on the hill country have kept the birds within range.

Once the enclosure is rebuilt it will be used as a nursery to maintain the hunting population.

The hunting season runs from April to the end of August and the McKnights have already hosted one hunting party.

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