Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Research
Read all you can about the food, housing and health requirements necessary to maintain vigorous game birds. Good management practices are the key to your success. Some useful books include "Raising Game Birds: Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletin A-93," and "Raising Game Birds," by Dan W. Scheid.
Check with your state's fish and game department for regulations on raising game birds; many states require a license.
Select the breed (or breeds), considering things like hardiness, how quickly they mature and whether they can forage. Other considerations include egg-laying capacities (e.g. ducks and quails) and your desire to raise unusual, rare or heritage breeds like Narragansett turkeys, Lady Amherst pheasants or Blue Scale quails.
Order chicks from a reputable hatchery that vaccinates against diseases common to your area.
Tending the Chicks
Prepare a clean home for your chicks. The brooder can be a wooden box, child's swimming pool, dog kennel or most any container with sides at least 12 inches high.
Cover the bottom with 3 or 4 inches of dry bedding like pine shavings or shredded newspaper. Very young chicks peck at most anything --- consider initially covering the bedding with a layer of paper towels to prevent them from eating it.
Center a heat lamp roughly 18 inches from the floor. Bring the area under the lamp to the recommended temperature at least 1 day before the chicks arrive.
Introduce your chicks to food and water. Most chicks that die within the first week do so because they haven't learned to drink. Briefly dip each chick's beak in the water fount. Once they've tipped their head back and swallowed, repeat the procedure at the feeder. Start them on medicated chick starter --- it's got all the nutrition they need and protection against common diseases.