There are many types of pheasants,
with the Ringneck being the most commonly raised in North America.
These pheasants are bred both for meat and for release, and are
easier to raise than many other game birds.
Brooding and Rearing
Cannibalism may be a problem in confinement reared pheasants.
Peepers may be used on young pheasants to reduce pecking, and thus
mortality.
Breeding
Ringneck pheasants do well in colony pens with 10 to 12 hens per
male. A good hen should produce 45 to 60 eggs per season.
Fertility of 80% - 90% of total eggs is achievable with 70% - 80%
hatchability of total set eggs. Ringneck eggs normally take 24
days to hatch.
The Bobwhite and the Coturnix are the
most frequently raised species of quail. The Coturnix is used
primarily for research, eggs, and meat. It is not good for
hunting. The Bobwhite is an excellent game bird commonly
propagated for release.
Brooding and Rearing
Cannibalism and disease, especially ulcerative enteritis, are the
two major problems in raising quail. Raising the birds on wire
with good sanitation will help minimize ulcerative enteritis. The
addition of 200g BMD per ton of feed will greatly reduce the
incidence of enteritis. Cannibalism is best controlled by beak
trimming.
Breeding
Best performance is obtained with pairs. However, with colony
pens, a ratio of two females for every male can be used. A good
hen should produce 50 to 100 eggs per season. This number can be
increased using artificial lights. Bobwhites have a 23 - 24 day
incubation period.
Chukar are a type of partridge which,
like the Ringneck pheasant, have been released in North American
and have established themselves in the wild. It is best to keep
Chukar on wire because they are highly susceptible to blackhead
and other diseases. In the wild, Chukar are flighty and nervous,
but in captivity they tend to tame down. If they are being raised
for release, keep them isolated to avoid taming them down.
Brooding and Rearing
Chukar are fairly easy to raise on wire. Maintaining a low light
intensity and providing some greens such as lettuce will give the
bird something to pick at and will help prevent cannibalism. If,
however, cannibalism does become a problem, beak-trim all birds
and remove the injured.
Breeding
Chukar produce well when pair mated, or in colonies with 100 males
to 400 females. A hen should lay 40 to 60 eggs per season. The
incubation period for Chukar is 23 to 25 days. Fertility of 80% -
90% of total eggs set is possible. Beak trimming the males and
providing adequate space helps prevent scalping the females.
Ducks are hardy animals resistant to
many common poultry diseases. The most commonly raised breeds are
Mallards for release, and White Pekin and Muscovy for meat.
Mallards can be raised successfully the same as pheasants.
However, the faster growing White Pekin and Muscovy need a duck
feeding program in order to economically reach their genetic
potential. Producers should be aware there are many genetic
varieties in duck body weight potential.
Brooding and Rearing
It is important that ducklings have an adequate supply of clean,
fresh water at all times. Growing and finishing feeds should be
pelleted (3/16") to minimize waste. Starter feed can be mash, but
crumbled feeds offer less waste. Ducks have a much healthier
beginning and lower mortality if started on high quality crumbles,
especially in intensive production conditions.
Breeding
An ideal male:female ratio for breeding ducks is one drake for
every 4 or 5 hens. For good fertility, stimulate the drakes with
light about 2 weeks before stimulating the hens. The incubation
period is 28 days for all ducks except Muscovy, which has a 35-day
period.
Geese are hardy, resistant to many
common poultry diseases, and good grazers. The Emden is most
commonly raised for meat, while other breeds are raised for
ornamental or exhibition purposes. Geese are fast growers who do
best when they have access to pasture.
Brooding and Rearing
Goslings must have an adequate supply of clean, fresh water at all
times. Feed should be pelleted to avoid waste. Crumbles should be
used for starter feeds, especially in intensive production
conditions. Provide adequate shelter when pasturing goslings.
Young goslings are easily chilled by heavy rains, but are
otherwise very healthy.
Breeding
Geese are not as prolific as ducks, laying only 30 to 40 eggs per
season. Fertility is usually best with only one or two hens per
gander, although up to five hens per gander are sometimes used.
More and larger eggs are usually produced the second year, but
fertility is slightly decreased. Geese eggs require 28 to 30 days
to hatch.
Modern wildlife management techniques
have increased the wild turkey population in North America. They
are easily raised in captivity, but quickly tame down. Thus, the
biggest challenge in raising them for release is to imprint them
with the wild habitat and adult turkeys, while preventing them
from imprinting with humans.
Brooding and Rearing
If turkeys are floor brooded, they may require blackhead
prevention drugs, depending on the conditions of the area.
Medication should be considered for prevention of coccidiosis.
Breeding
Wild turkeys can be flock mated with one tom for each 4 to 8 hens.
Turkey eggs have a 28-day incubation period.
For more information, contact your Alliance Nutrition dealer or
Alliance Nutrition District Sales Manager.
Or call Toll Free 1-866-666-7626
