Raising Gamebirds For Fun And Profit
By
Andy Kohly
Gundog Section Leader
A message posted in an Internet chat room claimed raising gamebirds was a fun, easy way to make money….
I decided to investigate this bit of cyber-insight so with thoughts of riches beyond belief, trips to the Riviera, and weekends in the Bahamas, I began my quest for wealth with long time AZOD supporters Bill and Peggy Morrow, owners and operators of Arizona Gamebird Farm in Casa Grande. As many of you will recall, the Morrow family provided the birds for last years AZOD Fun Trial, which was held at Desert Pheasant Recreation, near Coolidge, AZ.
I should have realized that something wasn’t quite as after I shared this little pearl of cyber-wisdom with Bill and Peggy, they convulsed into spasms of laughter so severe I thought they’d need medical attention. After they regained their composure they explained to me that they too had heard the money for nothing claims surrounding gamebird farming but as Bill and Peggy quickly pointed out, raising gamebirds is much more than just picking up a few golden eggs.
As Bill and Peggy began to educate me in the realities of raising gamebirds, I learned that they began this endeavor as the result of their daughter’s science project. From there the business blossomed to the point at which they produce 4000 Pheasants, 2,000 Chukars and 4,000 Bobwhite Quail each year.
Chukar ready for the flight pens
Bill and Peggy pointed out that most gamebird breeders in Arizona begin with eggs shipped in from larger breeders in other states. The eggs are then incubated for about 20 days after which they are placed in a Hatcher for 3 days. After hatching, the birds are transferred to a heated brooder for about 4 weeks which is one of the most labor intensive periods of the gamebird growth cycle because while in the brooder, feed must be ground daily and water is provided in quart-sized mason jars that are cleaned and refilled daily. Depending upon the species the birds are placed in flight pens at 8+ weeks of age and from there, the birds develop their flying skills.
While care is specific to each species of birds, the tip of the iceberg as Peggy put it suggests a labor schedule as follows:
Bobwhite Quail
De-beaking is done at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks
Chukar
Hooding/Rings are done at 6 weeks and Chukar are usually ready for sale at 16 weeks
Pheasant
De-beaking/Hooding are done at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and pheasant are usually ready for sale at 20 weeks. Hen and rooster pheasants must also be separated at about 12 weeks to prevent feather picking and fighting.
Among the other things to consider are that Gamebirds require housing in the proper sized facility and good ventilation and temperature control are important. Fertility of eggs, disease and escapees (Chukar are notorious escape artists) are also critical factors that must be considered as well.
The Morrow family mantra is to have flight-ready bobwhite quail available year-round, but this is dependant on their egg suppliers. Adult pheasants are available October through January and Chukar are also available October through January. In most cases Pheasants and Chukar are ordered and contracted by February 15, with delivery promised for the following season.
The biggest customers the Morrow’s have are our local hunt clubs. After that it seems that gundog clubs also make up a large part of their customer base. Despite the seemingly wholesale numbers this would suggest, Arizona Gamebird Farm always make sure that individual or private trainers also have the opportunity to reserve and purchase birds and in fact, Bill and Peggy assure me that they sell more birds to individuals and private trainers than anyone else.
Bird pricing is largely dependant upon quantities ordered but in general terms Pheasant range from $6.00 to $10.00 each and Chukar, again depending on quantity go from $5.50 to $9.00 each. Bobwhite Quail as a norm run about $3.00 each.
Bill Morrow and rooster pheasant
21801 W. Peters Road
Casa Grande, Arizona 85222
520-836-4323, 520-251-2931