Pheasant Farms in lowa

An investigation of privately owned pheasant farms in Iowa was conducted from 1960 to 1963. The objectives of the study were to locate all pheasant farms in the state and to study the distribution, size, annual production and years of operation of these farms. The majority of pheasant breeding operations were located in the southern half of Iowa. A total of 254 individuals reared pheasants during the study, but only 31 pheasant farms operated continuously from 1960 to 1963. The average number of farms per year was 119. A total of 84,943 pheasants was produced during the study. Large pheasant farms (over 500 birds) comprised 5% of the total number of farms, but produced 82% of the pen-reared pheasants. Most pheasant farms (88%) produced fewer than 100 birds each year. An average of 43% of the operators reared pheasants for the first time in each of the years 1960 to 1963. Pheasant breeders in Iowa varied in level of education, background, and employment. No persons depended upon a pheasant farm to supply their entire livelihood. Most operators reared pheasants as a hobby, for local stocking, or for home food consumption. A few sold birds to food processors and to commercial shooting preserves