Maize Check - Really Bad Pheasant Problems Again!

Matty and leigh have come today to check over my maize and see how its looking and what it needs going forward,
Unfortunately the pheasants have struck once again and this time its really really bad, massive big bare patches, so what to do going forward??

[@DanielJock-nl6wz]

When they were thick in the states the old farmers said they used to spread shelled corn on the ground in the fields until plants got big enough to withstand the pheasants.

[@willyfindlay4398]

As I am based in Scotland , I am surprised that Pheasants are protected as Game birds in New Zealand 🇳🇿. Your Maize 🌽 is looking good to me. Good luck. How is the Sweetcorn doing 🤔 ?

[@timmo645]

Very good video.

[@mountaineerpicker9811]

That last field is lower then the others on the hillside so it would be cooler conditions. Heat rises and I know around here he can see the Frontline in our valleys and hillsides as the cool area will always be in the low parts

[@smokky236]

You should get the wee ones to make a few scarecrows and put in the field? 😅

[@pixie706]

Flapping hawk ones

[@TheOnceADayFarmer]

I did last year with calf feed bags 😅

[@MarkDonnelly-j9v]

Hi I like your video

[@dagodairy8049]

Why is there a 'season' on pheasants when they are an introduced species? Is there a season on possums or rats?

[@johnhughes2113]

I’m from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 UK, the season for Pheasant means it’s the period that they are aloud to be shot, ie, October -January they are then classed as out of season to allow them to pair up and breed for the next season. Red Grouse 12 August - 10 December Partridge (grey & red-legged) 1 September - 1 February Pheasant 1 October - 1 February

[@carolcurtis2220]

We know what you mean. I guess the point is why are introduced species “protected”?

[@johnhughes2113]

@@carolcurtis2220 thing could change now due to inclusion of - In 2020 Defra added the Common Pheasant to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which contains species which cause ecological, environmental or socio-economic harm.

[@fisherh9111]

Can you seed the bare patches manually with a fast growing variety?

[@TheOnceADayFarmer]

I’ve done it before and it’s never worked for me, the birds just eat it as the hand planters can’t put it deep enough

[@svfproductions9520]

@@TheOnceADayFarmer maybe seeding with a digger would work as in putting it deeper into the ground just an idea

[@cravenwetere6602]

TAS rugby legend Matty Towers. Good loose forward. Next time u have him on, ask him about his 150 games

[@TheOnceADayFarmer]

That’s the one 👍

[@IanHouliston]

Lead pills,an empty 40kg super sack held up by 2 electric fence standeds blowing in the wind works on ducks.

[@stuatkinson5325]

Have you considered a gas powered bird scarer Up in South Kaipara area if seen them used, in partnership with scarecrows to scare deer. I’ve seen 20-25% of a 4Ha paddock topped by deer…absolute disaster

[@Gearoid35]

A hard crop to mind

[@judyengland2615]

Farmers here, if you prove crop damage, can " hunt" the animals that are causing the damage. Especially if it's an invasive species

[@joeandjudygreen5398]

Host a week for hunters to come. It’s a win win.

[@6830ful]

Try a crop banger

[@bobuncle8704]

How about some sound cannons?

[@danieljaques4198]

Talk about complain.birds pull a few plants.big deal.any manager of year would know bugs are more of a problem in non cultivated ground and been proactive with spray.maize hates wind and there been a lot

[@AussieKool]

Buy a pet hawk ?

[@papaw5405]

Are there hawks that only kill pheasants and not songbirds?