WATERFOWL AND GAMEBIRDS VERSATILITY TO PROFITABILITY
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
WATERFOWL CLASSIFICATION Ducks and Geese Breed Size Call (Ducks) Bantam (Ducks) Light, Medium, Heavy Purpose Exhibition Meat Egg Production Hunting Training
Bantam Call Ducks Mallard East Indie Light Runner Welsh Harlequin Medium Cayuga Swedish Heavy Pekin Muscovy DUCK CLASSIFICATION
GOOSE CLASSIFICATION Heavy African Embden Toulouse Medium Pilgrim Pomeranian Sebastapol Light Canada Chinese
RAISING WATERFOWL Keep them warm and dry 0.5-1 square foot per bird 95 degrees 20% protein starter Adjust as they grow
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
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
FEED/NUTRITION 20% protein starter for 10 weeks 15% protein grower for weeks 10-20 16-20% layer/maintainer NON-MEDICATED Full access to water at all times Extra options: Cat food Meal worms Grains Scraps
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
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
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
GAMEBIRD CLASSIFICATION Species Breed Purpose Sport Dog Training Exhibition Hobby Farming Feathers Release/Stocking Meat
GAMEBIRD USES Sport Dog Training Exhibition Hobby Farming Feathers Release/Stocking Meat
GAMEBIRD SPECIES Pheasants Quail Partridge Turkeys Ducks (Mallards) Doves/Pigeons
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
SMALL QUAIL Coturnix California Quail Mountain Quail Scaled Quail Gambel s Quail Button Quail
SPORT GAMEBIRDS Ringneck Pheasant Chukar Partridge Bobwhite Quail
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
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
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
ORNAMENTAL PHEASANT HOUSING Can be kept loose in the yard Separate flight pens 20 sq feet per bird Dark area
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
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
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
PHEASANT SALES EXPENSES Expenses Pen construction Transport cages Catch nets Blinders Feed Chick purchases Around $7-9 per bird by maturity
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
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
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
CONTACT INFORMATION Zach Hooker zach.q.hooker@gmail.com (970)222-6822
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!