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GAME BIRDS
How to raise game birds
So you want to raise game birds as a hobby or small business. While it seems as simple as growing chickens, game birds like pheasant, grouse, ducks and quail have different needs resulting in different expenses. Consider all of the costs associated with raising these exotic animals before jumping into a feathered frenzy. Read on to learn how to price raising game birds.
Step 1 Decide what the purpose of raising the game birds will be. Game birds can be used for sport like hunting or dog training, for showing exotic birds at conventions or fairs, or as a constant source of meat to feed the family. Your purpose will ultimately affect whether the price of raising game birds is cost-effective.
Step 2 Develop a list of initial costs associated with raising the birds. These are one-time expenses like building a coop, a fly pen and a brooder.
Step 3 Determine how many game birds will be raised and calculate the cost of buying young birds. Alternatively, consider buying eggs to hatch, but this also adds a lot of expense since an incubator and an egg turner are needed.
Step 4 Estimate the cost of feed by calculating about 14 lbs. of feed per bird for around four-and-a-half months. This can vary, depending on the type of game bird and length of time kept.
Step 5 Add in a mortality rate of 10 to 20 percent for each flock. High losses can occur during spring due to weather and vulnerability of the young or during winter due to weather or hungry predators.
Step 6 Evaluate the price of initial vaccinations versus losing an entire flock to disease or parasites.
Step 7 Include buying bird waterers, feeders, harnesses and restraint covers in your initial expenses, factoring in replacement every two to three years.
Step 8 Compare the price of ordering new poultry or eggs every year versus the maintenance of keeping healthy breeding pairs throughout the year.
Step 9 Include the cost of transporting birds to and from dog-training and hunting sites when evaluating the price of raising game birds for sport.
Step 10 Determine what the final price per game bird will be when sold (or eaten). Costs are different for hunters versus birds sold as high-end restaurant meat.
Step 11 Compare the estimated annual cost of raising the game birds to the final price per bird. Based on your findings, decide whether raising game birds is a profitable endeavor.
How to sell game birds
Game birds include all types of quail, pheasant, partridge, dove, snipe and pigeon. You can breed and sell game birds to sporting clubs and hunting reserves for outdoor sports shooting. Game birds are also on the menus of some restaurants who offer specialty meats.
Step 1 Apply for a Game Breeder's License if you plan to both breed and sell. Your state's Department of Natural Resources will send you an application. There is a fee which usually runs around $15.50 for residents and about $26.00 for non-residents. The application will come with your state's rules, regulations and guidelines for breeding game birds and also for selling.
Step 2 Decide on which type of game birds you plan to sell. This information will be requested on your application.
Step 3 Prepare your property for housing game birds. You'll need brooders and cages, depending on what quantities you plan to handle.
Step 4 Visit your local bookstore or library and find books on game birds. You'll need to know how to care for them as you prepare to market.
Step 5 Market your game birds, depending on your potential customer base. Prepare fliers advertising your birds for sale to hunting reserves and restaurants, whichever is applicable to your area. You can advertise online and find suppliers online also.
Step 6 Register and file a stamp similar to what is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in grading meat if you plan to sell to markets or restaurants. You need to keep records showing the number of game birds sold with the name and address of the breeder if you sell game birds for food. Markets are subject to inspection.
Step 7 Keep accurate, up-to-date records of where you bought your supply of game birds, where you sold them and keep track of numbers. This is not only good business practice, but necessary in case of questions from the Department of Natural Resources or your State Conservation Officer.
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