Mavis Harper - Raising Game Birds

Mavis and Monty Harper

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Cover illustration by Cindy McFarland (top) and Kimberlee Knauf
Cover design by Carol J. Jessop (Black Trout Design) and Jen Rork
Text illustrations by Cindy McFarland

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Harper, Mavis and Monty

Raising Game Birds / by Mavis and Monty Harper

A Storey Publishing Bulletin, A-93

ISBN 978-0-88266-336-4

There are nearly as many reasons for raising game birds as there are birds. For our family it is their unique beauty, and the fun of raising them; they also provide our table with delicious, inexpensive meals. To many, raising game birds is educational and challenging, to some therapeutic, to others profitable.

No matter which birds you choose, there are some basic rules to follow. Start small enough to enjoy your project, allowing time to study good management ideas and to think about future plans. Remember that the birds are completely dependent on you, and success or failure depends on your management. There is no such thing as luck in game bird rearing: You make it happen.

If you are just beginning, youll want to purchase chicks rather than breeding stock. The number depends somewhat on the species, but we think 25 chicks is a good workable number. By the time theyre at the breeding age you will know whether you want to expand in that area. That, of course, will make greater demands on your time.

Whether you start with day-old chicks or breeders, and no matter how small your flock, purchase only from reputable suppliers. Check for birds that look healthy and vigorous.

Breeders should be young and fully feathered with good body weight. Chicks should appear alert. Bargain hunting is rarely worthwhile sick chicks die or grow into poor breeders.

Contact the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 301-734-7833, to request a copy of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The NPIP is also available online: go to www.aphis.usdaa.gov and type poultry plan into the search field at the top.

Join the North American Gamebird Association, 800-624-2967; www.mynaga.org. Members receive newsletters and a copy of the directory. Nonmembers can browse the directory to find breeders, veterinarians, meat processors, and other game bird businesses. Your state Cooperative Extension Service can also supply names and addresses of other sources of information and supplies.

If youve decided to try raising game birds, and have a small area for this, your next step is to decide which birds to raise. Lets look at some of them.

A 9- to 10-inch bird, it has beautifully mottled brown or chestnut plumage. Males have a white eye-stripe and brown throat underscored with black; females have a buff line through the eye and a buff throat.

Bobwhites were once thought to be monogamous, but it is now known that the females are polyandrous. Hens will switch mates and form new broods, leaving the first mate to incubate and raise the first clutch. Mature at 1620 weeks, they start laying at 24 weeks. One hen will lay 50100 eggs during the mating season, or up to 200 eggs per year if light is provided 17 hours a day.

Mature birds weigh live at 7.58.2 ounces; dressed at 6.26.4 ounces. Birds are plump-breasted with lighter meat than the coturnix. A serving is one and a half to two birds.

Bobwhite quail

This native of India is a stout, grey bird with light, silky, smooth feathers on its head and a distinctive black band passing across its eyes, circling the face and ending at a V at the throat. It has orange feet and a beak that grows so fast that the bird must be debeaked regularly. Birds are 1214 inches long, with broad chestnut bars on the flank. While markings are the same for males and females, the males are slightly larger.

These birds are polygamous. They reach maturity at 2628 weeks. Birds begin laying following the first mating season after hatch unless forced by means of artificial light. Young birds are very susceptible to stress and must be handled carefully. Until they are nearly mature, the birds must be provided warmth on cool nights. Stress may be caused by changing pens or feed, or even a change in the feeding pattern. Chukar are best left in one pen until maturity, at which time they are more hardy. Keep pen as dry as possible.

Mature birds weigh about 1pounds. A serving is three-quarters to one bird.

Chukar partridge

Originally from Japan, this 7- to 8-inch bird has a brown and black coloring, with contrasting white and buff. Males have a reddish tint on the breast, while hens have a grey-mottled breast. They start laying at 67 weeks, and reach maturity at 10 weeks. These birds will give you a good return on your time, money, and effort invested; they are excellent breeders and layers, are hardy, and are good meat producers. Dressed weight at maturity is 44.4 ounces. A serving is two birds.

Guinea fowl

Although not considered game birds, guinea fowl are often used as a substitute and are becoming increasingly popular. While the head is small and rather homely, the body of one breed has pleasing polka-dot plumage. Originally from Africa, the guinea is a shy, flighty, nervous bird and should be provided with brush, limbs, or hay, and with as much privacy and security for the nests as can be managed. This bird thrives in a woodsy, natural setting as close to its natural state as possible. It loves to perch high in trees and shrieks loudly when frightened.

The mature market weight is 23 pounds, and the rich, dark meat may be prepared like any game birds. Serving is one-quarter to one-third of a bird.