WATERFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS VERSATILITY TO PROFITABILITY

Transcription

1 WATERFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS VERSATILITY TO PROFITABILITY

2 WHAT ARE WATERFOWL Birds that have the capability to swim and live in or near the water Waterproof/Water resistant feathers Bill, not Beak Webbed Feet Domesticated

3 WATERFOWL CLASSIFICATION Ducks and Geese Breed Size Call (Ducks) Bantam (Ducks) Light, Medium, Heavy Purpose Exhibition Meat Egg Production Hunting Training

4 Bantam Call Ducks Mallard East Indie Light Runner Welsh Harlequin Medium Cayuga Swedish Heavy Pekin Muscovy DUCK CLASSIFICATION

5 GOOSE CLASSIFICATION Heavy African Embden Toulouse Medium Pilgrim Pomeranian Sebastapol Light Canada Chinese

6 RAISING WATERFOWL Keep them warm and dry square foot per bird 95 degrees 20% protein starter Adjust as they grow

7 HOUSING Largely variant on space and needs Smaller, less aggressive species will require at least 6 square feet per bird Larger, more aggressive species will sometimes need up to 25 square feet per bird Can be indoor and outdoor, or just outdoor Depends on whether the goal is warmth, dryness, shade, shelter, or simply containment

8 WATERFOWL HOUSING Use what you have 6-16 square feet per bird Inside- 1/3, Outside 2/3 Keep the inside as dry as possible Feed and water far away from each other

9 FEED/NUTRITION 20% protein starter for 10 weeks 15% protein grower for weeks % layer/maintainer NON-MEDICATED Full access to water at all times Extra options: Cat food Meal worms Grains Scraps

10 WATERFOWL PROFIT POTENTIAL Many options if you can find the right niche Meat Eggs Fertilizer Keep track of expenses Find buyer willing to pay what you need to make a profit

11 SELLING DUCKS FOR MEAT Expenses (per duck) $5 (buy duckling) $11.34 feed (0.3 lb feed/day for 18 weeks) $10 (water, labor, bedding) Income $26.34 in total expense Sell for at least $30 each, buyer pays for processing

12 WHAT ARE GAMEBIRDS Fowl that have traditionally been hunted for sport or food and have the capability to survive in the wild Many different types from all around the world Upland gamebirds Ornamental gamebirds Domesticated

13 GAMEBIRD CLASSIFICATION Species Breed Purpose Sport Dog Training Exhibition Hobby Farming Feathers Release/Stocking Meat

14 GAMEBIRD USES Sport Dog Training Exhibition Hobby Farming Feathers Release/Stocking Meat

15 GAMEBIRD SPECIES Pheasants Quail Partridge Turkeys Ducks (Mallards) Doves/Pigeons

16 ORNAMENTAL PHEASANTS Mostly used by hobby farmers for yard decoration, but can also be used for fly tying Red and Yellow Goldens Reeves Lady Amherst Swinhoe Silver

17 SMALL QUAIL Coturnix California Quail Mountain Quail Scaled Quail Gambel s Quail Button Quail

18 SPORT GAMEBIRDS Ringneck Pheasant Chukar Partridge Bobwhite Quail

19 RAISING GAMEBIRDS 30% starter feed 95 degrees ¾ square feet per bird No corners Marbles in water to prevent drowning Red light to prevent pecking Keep them dry

20 HOUSING Largely variant on space and needs Smaller, less aggressive species will require at least 6 square feet per bird Larger, more aggressive species will sometimes need up to 25 square feet per bird Can be indoor and outdoor, or just outdoor Depends on whether the goal is warmth, dryness, shade, shelter, or simply containment

21 QUAIL HOUSING Many small quail are raised on wire Must be kept dry If outside, must have 1 or less flight netting Sides must have bounce 6-10 sq feet per bird

22 ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT HOUSING Can be kept loose in the yard Separate flight pens 20 sq feet per bird Dark area

23 SPORT GAMEBIRD HOUSING Flight pens 10 sq feet per bird (partridge) 20 sq feet per bird (pheasant) 1-2 flight netting Bouncy sides Good cover Protection from hail

24 FEED/NUTRITION Water at all times Non-medicated feed 20% or higher protein at all times 30% as chicks up to 6 weeks 20% layer/grower/maintainer throughout maturity Purina Gamebird Grower Extras: Scraps Millet and other grains Meat Greens

25 GAMEBIRD PROFIT POTENTIAL Many different opportunities if you have the resources Release for hunting Dog training Fly fishing (feathers for tying) Meat Yard decorations Regardless of what you choose, must plan on moderate-high losses Aggressive/cannibalistic Meant to be raised in the wild

26 PHEASANT SALES EXPENSES Expenses Pen construction Transport cages Catch nets Blinders Feed Chick purchases Around $7-9 per bird by maturity

27 PHEASANT SALES OTHER How many can you sell? How well can you advertise? How long are you willing to hold onto birds for buyers? Can you make it through the first year? Death/loss Plan on 10-20% death loss before 6 weeks of age Plan on 10% more death loss before 18 weeks of age Know that this is going to happen when you purchase birds

28 PHEASANT SALES PROFIT POTENTIAL $7-9 expenses per bird by 18 weeks Add $1-2 per bird for every month after November-April, $10-20 per bird Goal: $5 net income per bird

29 WATERFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS Very versatile animals that can offer livestock growers a variety of benefits Keep them healthy and happy and they ll do the same for you If one is willing to put in the effort, there is a potential for profit

30 CONTACT INFORMATION Zach Hooker (970)

31 THANK YOU Please write any questions that you may have on a piece of paper or notecard and I will do my best to answer them with the other presenters during the roundtable discussion, thanks!