2009 Pheasant and Quail Stocking Schedules (pdf, 15kb)

The Rockport Pheasant Farm is a 492-acre facility (within the 1,185-acre Rockport Wildlife Management Area) operated by the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife. The facility produces approximately 55,000 ring-necked pheasants each year for the sporting public. Acquisition of the property began in 1912 and was completed in 1925. The first release of Rockport pheasants was made in 1923. Since 1923 over 2 million pheasants have been raised at Rockport.

Pheasants raised at Rockport are stocked for "put and take" hunting on 23 Wildlife Management Areas throughout New Jersey, as well as the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Why Raise Pheasants?

The Pheasant Program generates $2.6 million in income to local businesses such as gas stations, motels, diners, taxidermists and sporting goods stores. The cost of raising pheasants is borne completely by the hunters who purchase Pheasant/Quail Stamps to participate in the program. No state tax dollars are used.

How Pheasants Are Raised at Rockport

Breeder Yards
Each year, 190 male (cock) pheasants are placed in "breeder yards" with 2700 females (hens). This results in approximately 160,000 - 170,000 eggs being laid between mid-March and the beginning of July. Eggs are collected three times a day and taken to the "egg room."

Egg Room
In the egg room the eggs are disinfected, sorted and put in trays. The room is maintained at 55 degrees F. to keep the eggs dormant until moved into incubators.

Incubation
Pheasant eggs require 24 days to hatch. The first 17 are spent in forced air circulating incubators which automatically roll the eggs five times daily. The final 7 days are spent in flat hatchers. Hatching ends by August.

Brooder Houses
After hatching, chicks are moved to brooder rooms. They stay in these temperature controlled rooms until 6 weeks of age, then moved outdoors to the...

Range Pens
More than 35 acres of range pens house the pheasants until fall. The pens are planted in cover crop (Sorghum) to provide the birds with protection from the weather. In the pens the male pheasants will grow to 2.5 - 3 pounds, females about 1.5 pounds.

Distribution

Rockport's Future

Visiting Rockport

At Rockport there are pens holding exotic pheasants, turkeys and other birds. The historic Morris Canal, its towpath intact, passes through the farm. The canal basin (explaining the "port" in Rockport’s name), where boats would dock for the night, was recently drained as a precaution against the introduction of avian flu but remains visible. Picnicking is allowed but there are no food or toilet facilities available. For more information call 908-852-3461.

Rockport Pheasant Farm Brochure (pdf, 460kb)