Transcript Raising Game Birds

Raising Game Birds
Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed
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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.
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.
Terms
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Set
Hatch
Incubate
Embryo
Incubator
Incubation
Cover Crop
Raising Game Birds
• Why do people raise game birds?
• What does everyone who raises game
birds have in common?
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.
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.
Hatchery
• Embryo
development
needs.
– Adequate oxygen
levels.
– Removal of carbon
dioxide.
• Main function of
ventilation.
– Control
temperature.
– Dilute airborne
microorganisms
during hatch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Examination of eggs
• Candle eggs after 7 10 days of incubation.
• Candle again before
transferring eggs to
hatcher (3 – 4 days
prior to hatching).
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 daylengths of less than 12 hours a dayfor a 6
week period.
– Place artificial lights around pen to stimulate
early egg production.
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 dayold 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.
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.
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
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?
The End!