Dalton's Game Consultancy

02/09/2026

In the same way that climate change is increasingly affecting our day-to-day lives, it is transforming the way we rear and release gamebirds. Vets are not there only to act when disease outbreaks occur; they play a vital role in helping the industry adapt to these emerging challenges.

Vet Rita Alves on how record heat is changing gamebird rearing, from earlier moves to release pens to hygiene, rodent control and cooling shot game.

20/08/2026

A severe case of hairworms in partridges. The worm burrows itself in the mucosa of the wall of the crop, causing severe inflammation. In this case the esophagus was also affected.

17/08/2026

Despite the dry weather, we are continuing to find worms in partridges on rearing fields. Ensure birds are wormed before being moved.

07/08/2026

Birds being ‘vet checked’ can be misleading…

What does it really mean when you buy “vet checked” birds from a game farmer? Rita Alves of Dalton’s Game Consultancy offers expert advice for keepers Q: A lot of game farmers advertise their birds as “vet checked” – what does that mean? RITA ALVES of Dalton’s Game Consultancy replies:...

02/08/2026

Despite the dry weather, we are finding worms in birds on the rearing field and some keepers have reported pheasants gaping. So worming is still recommended as normal in released birds and especially partridges on rearing fields
Image 1- Ascaridia in partridge; Image 2 - Capillaria in partridge

31/07/2026

This week, along with the GFA, we were proud to show the work of one of our clients to Defra and APHA vets and policy advisors. From how birds are released, to all that goes of running a shoot and the conservation work that goes behind the scenes.

Following on from the successful site visit for key staff from Defra and APHA to Worcestershire Game Farm on 26th of June, on the 29th of July we followed this up with a visit to a shoot. GFA Trade member Rita Alves of Dalton's Game Consultancy was instrumental in arranging the visit to one of her c...

03/07/2026

It’s great to have more clients joining Trusted Game Scheme. Today another shoot, who rears its own birds was audited for the first time.

24/06/2026

As more birds are being moved to release pens this week, ensure feeders and drinkers are positioned in shaded areas during this heat wave

23/06/2026

Disease can be masked in hot weather. ☀️
Sometimes the first and only sign is birds scratching the feed out of the feeders

18/06/2026

One of our clients is now using a turbo fan to blow the dust off the heaters. Has any of you tried them before? It certainly sounds as a more effective way to do it then blowing it yourself 💨