Pulaski HS students raise pheasants

PULASKI — Pulaski High School agriculture students have latitude for wide-ranging semester projects depending on their interests.

Raising fish such as perch or trout for sale, planting and maintaining a school forest, helping raise plants in the PHS greenhouse, maintaining a tropical fish tank and others involving raising farm animals are examples.

One of the latest projects, started by sophomore Landon Holewinski last spring, is raising poultry, in general, and pheasants, in particular. PHS agriculture teacher Kaleb Santy said last spring 100 pheasant chicks and 100 eggs were delivered to Pulaski High School.

From those came 156 birds – some of which were recently released near PHS – and others that have been or will be sold to hunters to use to train dogs or those who would want to stock their wooded areas for hunting purposes.

“Hopefully, all of them can end up as somebody’s main course,” Santy said.

The pheasants were first raised in pens at Pulaski High School but were moved to a spacious flight pen built by Santy and fellow teacher Kare Goodness, outside of Pulaski. Once they reached about five pounds in weight, they were ready to release or sell.

Money raised from the sale will go back into the program for future projects. Right now, Santy said, they plan to raise another 100 pheasants in the spring of 2020.

Along with the pheasants, Holewinski cared for 10 chickens last spring and also had 76 chicken eggs in incubation at PHS.

After taking Animal Science first semester in the 2018-19 school year, Holewinski was looking for a new challenge in the Ag Department. He and Santy designed an individualized course centered around poultry.

Holewinski’s love for poultry goes beyond the classroom. At home, he has 52 chickens he tends to daily.

“I started with a small amount. As my interest grew, I wanted to expand to new breeds, and I began building my flock,” Holewinski said.

His independent study course description labels him with the daily responsibility of caring for all birds in the Ag Department.

“Every day, I have to feed and water the pheasants and chickens. I take care of their bedding and keep updates on their health,” he said.

Earlier this year, Holewinski won the Wisconsin Bird and Game Association Youth grant. He also received a gold rating on his proficiency award for diversified livestock.

“My favorite part about my poultry production class is that I get to do what I love not only outside of school, but inside it, too,” Holewinski stated. “I am excited to further my knowledge of poultry and see where it will take me.”