Raising Game Birds

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Raising Game Birds
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Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards
Addressed

• HS-LS2-8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of
  group behavior on individual and species chances
  to survive and reproduce. Clarification
  Statement Emphasis is on (1) distinguishing
  between group and individual behavior, (2)
  identifying evidence supporting the outcomes of
  group behavior, and (3) developing logical and
  reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples
  of group behaviors could include flocking,
  schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors
  such as hunting, migrating, and swarming.

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Bell Work / Objectives

• Identify the important factors in hatching and
  brooding game birds.
• Identify the important factors in growing game
  birds.
• Explain the management of game bird breeder
  stock.
• Identify the important factors in feeding game
  birds.
• Explain the important components of disease
  control in game birds.

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Terms

• Set
• Hatch
• Incubate
• Embryo
• Incubator
• Incubation
• Cover Crop

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Raising Game Birds

• Why do people raise game birds?
• What does everyone who raises game birds have in
  common?

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What are the important factors in hatching game
bird eggs?

• I recommended that beginners start with day-old
  chicks or eggs purchased from a reputable game
  bird breeders.
• Be sure to get a guarantee on a product that is
  free of disease.
• List of game bird breeders available from
• State Department of Natural Resources
• Local extension service
• There are very few breeders in NM. Most birds
  are purchased out of state the day after hatching.

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Hatchery

• Floors should be concrete.
• Sloped to large drains.
• Walls ceilings constructed of water resistant
  material.
• All this to facilitate cleaning and disinfection.

• Temperature controlled environment.
• Maintained temp. between 65 and 80 degrees.
• Evaporative cooling in summer to cool air
  increase humidity.

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Hatchery

• Embryo development needs.
• Adequate oxygen levels.
• Removal of carbon dioxide.

• Main function of ventilation.
• Control temperature.
• Dilute airborne microorganisms during hatch.

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Hatching Equipment

• Incubator or hatcher
• The purpose of the incubator is maintain the
  suitable environment to maximize successful
  hatching of fertile eggs.
• Have an automatic temperature and humidity
  control .
• Large units rotate the eggs.

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Care of eggs

• Wash hands with disinfectant soap prior to
  handling eggs.
• Fresh eggs can be stored a short time before
  setting.
• Set means being placed in the incubator.

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Care of eggs

• Temperature at which egg is stored determines how
  long they can be stored prior to set.
• Stored eggs do not hatch as early as fresh eggs.
• Allow addition hatching time with the stored
  eggs.
• Storage time and temp. will affect hatching
  percentage.

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Care of eggs

• Only set nest-clean eggs.
• Do not set dirty, cracked, thin-shelled,
  misshapen, or abnormal eggs.
• These hatch poorly.
• They may contaminate other eggs or chicks.

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Incubation

• Proper incubation is not difficult.
• Wash all equipment with detergent solution
  between hatches.
• Operate equipment for 24 hours prior to egg
  setting to stabilize the environment.
• Record wet and dry bulb temperature twice per
  day. (temp. in relationship to humidity)

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Incubation

• Eggs can be set large end up or horizontally.
• Eggs should be turned every 2 to 4 hours during
  first 2/3 of incubation.
• Never turn during hatching period.

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Examination of eggs

• Candle eggs after 7 - 10 days of incubation.
• Candle again before transferring eggs to hatcher
  (3 4 days prior to hatching).

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Examination of eggs

• Remove eggs that are clear or contain blood
  rings.
• These type of eggs will not hatch.
• These are either infertile or the embryo did not
  develop properly.

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Transfer to hatcher

• Transfer eggs to the hatcher 3 4 days prior to
  hatching.
• Adjust temperature on hatcher for the appropriate
  species of egg being hatched.
• When the hatch is complete count, sort and
  place chicks in clean and sanitized boxes.
• Do not remove chicks before they are dry.
• Remove as soon as dried because they will
  dehydrate if left in the hatcher.

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What is involved in brooding game birds?

• Artificially brooding game birds has become very
  successful.
• Factors that must be addressed during this stage.
• Heat sources
• Heat lamps, hot water or steam pipes, or stoves.
• Light and ventilation

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Heat sources

• Cool-room brooding
• Provide heat source with an adjacent area at a
  lower temperature.
• Hover area has a temperature adjusted to 95
  degrees during first week.
• Decrease temperature 5 degrees per week until
  room temperature is achieved.
• Advantage of this system is feather will be
  faster and temperature regulation is easier.

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Heat sources

• Warm-room brooding
• Heating system maintains entire house at desired
  temperature.
• Start temperature at 90 degrees.
• Decrease 5 degrees as chicks get older.

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Light and Ventilation

• It is very important to be properly lighted
  during first week.
• Chicks learn to eat and drink during this time
  period.
• During this time pens are lighted 24 hours a day.
• After first week, reduce artificial light to 12
  hours a day or use natural daylight.

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What are the important factors in growing game
birds?

• Cages and Pens
• Chukars quail can be raised in all-wire cages
  kept inside a building.
• 1 square foot per bird for chukars.
• ½ square foot for quail.
• Outside pens should permit good drainage of
  water.
• Wind protection, lower walls boarded to 20 24
  inches.

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What are the important factors in growing game
birds?

• Waterers Feeders
• A continuous supply of fresh, cool drinking water
  needs to be provided.
• Avoid puddling around waterers.
• There are many feeder designs for a grower to
  select from.
• Prevent feed from becoming wet.

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What should be done to manage game bird breeder
stock?

• Breeder stock of a game bird operation requires
  extra attention.
• Cages and Pens
• Pheasants can be housed in wire colony cages.
• Mating ratio of 10 females per 1 male.
• Colony 2 feet wide by 6 feet long by 1.5 feet
  high.
• Rule of thumb is to maintain 25 to 30 square feet
  per bird.

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What should be done to manage game bird breeder
stock?

• Equipment
• Nest boxes should be included in the pens.
• Place boxes in protected areas.
• Reduce incidence of dirty eggs.
• Prevents bacterial contamination.
• Box is 2 feet wide by 6 feet long by 1 foot tall
  will serve 24 females.
• Place artificial eggs in nests to encourage birds
  to use boxes rather than the ground.

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What should be done to manage game bird breeder
stock?

• Care of eggs
• Proper handling and care of eggs are important to
  maintain hatchability.
• Store eggs in a cool room at 50 to 60 degrees and
  70 humidity.

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What should be done to manage game bird breeder
stock?

• Recommendations
• Keep nest areas dry.
• Collect eggs a minimum of 3 times a day.
• Do not spray insecticides around pens or store
  room.
• Clean slightly soiled eggs with sandpaper.
• Do not used heavily soiled eggs.

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What should be done to manage game bird breeder
stock?

• Lighting
• Game birds can be induced to lay eggs.
• Can lay at any time of the year.
• Provided the birds have been exposed to
  day-lengths of less than 12 hours a dayfor a 6
  week period.
• Place artificial lights around pen to stimulate
  early egg production.

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What factors should be considered when feeding
game birds?

• Common poultry feeds that are properly balanced
  in energy, amino acids, vitamins and minerals can
  be fed to game birds.
• Laying rations should never be fed to day-old
  chicks, it is too high of calcium.
• Place grit in a separate container. Grit is
  needed fro proper digestion.
• Size of grit depends on size of bird.

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How can I control disease problems in game birds?

• Most diseases are caused by microorganisms or
  viruses.
• The greatest threat to game birds is diseases.

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How can I control disease problems in game birds?

• Good disease management practices
• Avoid introducing live birds.
• Safe way is hatching eggs or day-old chicks to
  keep for breeding stock.
• Buy chicks from known sources
• Reputable dealers raise disease free birds.
• Dispose of dead birds
• Incinerator
• Disposal pits
• Direct burial

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Review / Summary

• What are the important factors in hatching game
  bird eggs?
• What is involved in brooding game birds?
• What are the important factors in growing game
  birds?
• What should be done to manage game bird breeder
  stock?
• What factors should be considered when feeding
  game birds?
• How can I control disease problems in game birds?

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The End!