The hatchery highlights

Published by Jess Smith on

Eggs in the incubator
Pheasant eggs require an incubation period of around 24 days. They are in the incubator for 21 days before being transferred to the hatcher. They require the correct temperature and humidity for optimal hatch rates.
Eggs in the hatcher
At 21 days into the incubation period, the eggs are transferred to a hatcher where humidity is increased. Not long after I captured this image, the chicks began to hatch. It is always a miraculous moment no matter how often you've seen it!
Self Portrait of me
I took this photo as a bit of a creative spin of a mirror selfie while out feeding.
Buggy Wheel
I was sat on the floor watching the pheasants and partridges when I had the idea to take this picture of the buggy wheel that I drive when feeding the game birds with my dad.
Berries
Hawthorn hedges are full of colour with their red berries. Hedges provide food and shelter not only for reared and wild game but also for other wildlife.
Duck Pond
A favourite spot of mine. An abundance of wildlife lives here. It is beautiful and vibrant, especially at sunset when the pond glitters in the orange glow.
Newly Hatched Chicks
This was taken during the hatching process of the chicks. The hope is that all of them hatch within a few hours but sometimes chicks can hatch earlier and sometimes later. The process can be affected by outside factors as well as the health and physiology of the egg and chick.
Newly Hatched Chicks
This was taken during the hatching process of the chicks. The hope is that all of them hatch within a few hours but sometimes chicks can hatch earlier and sometimes later. The process can be affected by outside factors as well as the health and physiology of the egg and chick.
Welcome to the world
Is there a more delightful sight than a healthy, inquisitive new chick?
View of a pheasant drive
The topography of the estate with its coverts, hedges, beetle banks, grass rides, undulations and valleys make it ideal for shooting whilst benefitting an abundance of wildlife at the same time.
Cartridges
I enjoy photography as part of my interest in art. While out clay shooting, I took this photo of three of my cartridges. I really like how the green of the grass makes the red of the cartridge pop in this photo.
Day Old Pheasant chick
I took this picture of a little chick only minutes after it had hatched, soon to go out to its new home.
Categories: Young Shots Journalists

Jess Smith

I'm 15 and live on a pheasant and partridge shoot in Derbyshire where my Dad is head gamekeeper. I've been home-educated my whole life and did two GCSE's early in year nine. My hobbies include coloured pencil animal art (which I now do as commissioned work) riding my horse Rupert, dog showing and video making. I'm incredibly passionate about the countryside and am exceedingly excited and grateful for this opportunity.

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