Husbandry

Each keeper has their own ideas on the husbandry of their stock, from housing and diet to breeding and raising the young chicks. Grouse are not that hard to care for but they do need a bit more time and effort spent on their needs to keep them healthy and happy.

HOUSING

I prefer to keep my breeding stock in covered raised pens, this keeps the birds clean and dry and helps to minimise the risk of disease. Young chicks are kept on the ground in a coup and run system then moved into the raised pens at 4-5 months old.

DIET

It is important that each grouse species has as natural and varied a diet as possible and this takes a lot of time. They like fresh heather, catkins, branches (fir,willow,pine etc) and seasonal fruits and berries which I usually spend my weekend gathering. I also give my birds a feeder containing a low protein pellet mixed with oats and barley to give them a little extra and fresh water.

CHICKS

The chicks are incubated under bantums on the ground in a coup and run system and once hatched they are moved daily onto fresh grass. The chicks are also feed live foods (mealworms) for a period to give them the extra protein they need to grow, to much protein however can cause leg problems. When the chicks are old enough then they are moved into the raised pens.