Pheasant farm says 55,000 birds perished or escaped in tornado

JANESVILLE — MacFarlane Pheasants, of Janesville, this week shared the extent of its losses from a tornado that struck its farm on the city’s southside on June 22.

“Our roots run deep. For 95 years, MacFarlane has been dedicated to producing the finest game birds in the U.S. and even the world,” it said in a release. “Unfortunately, at the end of June, a devastating tornado struck our Janesville farm, bringing unforeseen challenges.”

“The damage has been significant. This storm has reduced our bird population and our operations have been greatly impacted.”

Spanish Red Leg Partridges

One of its “most profound losses,” came in the collapse of a building housing Spanish Red Leg Partridges.

“Sadly, we lost approximately 27,000 Spanish Red Leg Partridges in this disaster, which represents over 30% of our annual red leg production,” the release said.

In addition to the partridges, its pheasant population was also “severely affected.”

“Another brooder barn, crucial to our operations, sustained heavy damage, leading to the escape and loss of thousands of pheasants,” the release said.

The tornado destroyed over 16 acres of pheasant pens, “ripping to shreds the netting that contains the birds,” the release continued. “In an average year, due to the elements, our farm replaces 50 to 75 6-inch top posts that hold the netting up. In comparison, over 2,000 posts were broken during this storm.”

“Because of the pen and barn damage, approximately 28,000 pheasants were lost or escaped.”

Finding secure housing

“With this damage, we are now facing the challenge of rebuilding these critical structures. The immediate focus has been on securing temporary shelters and ensuring that all our birds are safely housed, but the road to full recovery will be a long one,” the release said. “We have worked to secure barns in Orfordville, Jefferson, and Janesville to temporarily house our birds while we work toward recovery.”

Financial impact and recovery costs

“The financial implications of this disaster are substantial,” the release said, at an estimated $2 million to repair infrastructure, rent barns, and manage displaced birds.

“The loss of our Spanish Red Leg Partridges alone represents a significant financial setback, compounded by the broader impact on our operations. Despite these challenges, we are committed to maintaining our high standards and fulfilling our client commitments.”

Supporting employees

MacFarlane Pheasants has 90 employees. “Each member of our team plays a crucial role in our success, and their safety and well-being have been our top priority throughout this ordeal,” the release said.

“While this tornado has undoubtedly set us back, it has also reinforced our resolve to rebuild stronger and more resilient than before. We are already laying out plans to enhance our facilities and operations to withstand future challenges,” the release continued.

“As we move forward, we extend our deepest gratitude to our team for their hard work and to our community for their unwavering support. We are confident in our ability to overcome these setbacks and continue our legacy of excellence and humane care.”