Preparing for Rearing Season: Essential Nets, Feeders, and Small Breeding Pens

January 29, 2025

Game rearing season is just around the corner. You will probably be getting everything ready, ensuring the pens are in place and the feeders are clean.

Being prepared is essential for success in game rearing. As with everything, the more prepared you are, the easier the season will likely be, taking stress off your hands so you can focus on enjoying the process and rearing the birds.

From netting for safe pens to feeders to providing the right nutrients, there are a few essentials for a successful breeding season. And now is the time to make sure you have everything you need ready to get prepared.

At Collins Nets, we have been supplying gamekeepers with nets and accessories for over 35 years. Our time in the industry gives us a wealth of knowledge so we can work with breeders to face the challenges with the right equipment.

Here, we share more about the essentials you need for the rearing season.

Netting

As the month turns from January to February, you will be thinking about building pens for rearing.

You want your birds to be safe while in their breeding pens, which is why netting is essential – but it can’t just be any netting.

Our 2″ square mesh netting is ideal for laying pens. The virgin grade, black polyethylene in 1.0mm thickness twine is durable, UV protected and weather resistant, meaning it will last several breeding seasons.

The size of this netting makes it excellent to use across the top of the pens to protect the birds from predators and is less likely to damage if it were to snow .

So, if you find you are in need of repairing or replacing parts or all of your pens, this is a great netting to use.

Feeders & Drinkers

When rearing birds, nutrition is key.

In game-rearing, your birds will need specific nutrients to support growth, immune function and breeding success. Some feeders might lead to uneven distribution of food, creating competition among the birds and contamination, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. So, you should take a look at your feeder and decide if it is the best for your rearing season.

The best way to ensure your birds get the nutrients they need is with a suitable feeder.

Some feeders have been designed with compartments or barriers to ensure that the birds have equal access to the right amount of feed and to stop dominant birds from eating all the food.

Enclosed feeders also prevent food from getting contaminated by rainwater or droppings, keeping the birds healthy.

Another challenge you will probably relate to is food wastage, increasing costs and potentially attracting pests .

Drinkers should provide adequate clean water with addition of a good all round boost tonic.

Rearing Pens

As you know, rearing pens are essential for this time of year because they provide safe and controlled spaces for rearing.

Key features of these pens include:

Adequate Space to Develop
Strong Durable Construction
Accessibility to Food & Clean Water
Safety from Predators

At Collins Nets, we have numerous options that are available to create a wide variety of rearing pens , whether large or small.

Heavy Galvanised Wire– often used for pen section runs and laying pens
Jumbo Release Pen Netting – is an alternative to wire and is exceptionally strong.
2″ Netting – commonly used as top netting if areas are prone to snow

January and the beginning of February are good times to take a look at your pens and see if there are any that need mending or replacing. If they do, the above netting should be the perfect fix.

£105.60 inc VAT