Hatching quail, pheasants, waterfowl and other game birds is always a hot topic in the game bird field. Dr. Tom Reid made the following observations on his experiences hatching quail and pheasants: “Most breeders who hatch their eggs in a forced air incubator use settings of from 99.5°F to 100°F. Some studies (including one at Florida State Univ.) have shown good results at a slightly higher temperature, although embryos may not tolerate temperatures that are even 1° F too high, so you must be very careful with this. Some hatcheries reduce the temperature by half a degree after the first five days or so. Care must be taken not to exceed the highs or lows tolerated by a given species in a particular incubating environment. It is interesting to note that a study at the Florida State University found that bobwhite quail hatched best when incubated at 100.5°F for first 21 days then reduced to 99.5° in the hatcher. However, in my own operation which is a relatively dry climate (southern Arizona), I have achieved best results at the more standard 99.75°F temperature and 83° wet bulb which will be discussed later.
If you were to incubate quail or pheasant eggs in a fan ventilated incubator at 102°F for the entire incubation period, it is almost a certainty that y
ou would get a very poor hatch. Chicks that hatch under such conditions could appear dehydrated and have spraddled legs, crooked toes, or other serious problems. On the other hand, problems you may encounter with too low of a temperature, say 96°F, may be high mortality and a late hatch with many embryos unable to exit the shell. Those that make it out in either scenario may be weak and encounter health problems as they develop.
Most breeders use a humidity setting somewhere between 50-55 percent depending on the species and the experiences they have had with their incubator. What works well for one breeder has been found not to always produce optimal results for another. Incubation in most of the game bird species is not an exact science and usually requires some experimentation on the part of the incubator operator. It can be said that many breeders of upland game birds have had success with a temperature setting of about 99.5°F, and a wet bulb reading of approximately 84°F. Breeders of ducks, geese and swans generally go a degree or two higher than this on wet bulb humidity. When the embryos have developed and pipped the shell, many breeders substantially increase humidity which can make it easier for the chick get out of the shell. It would be useful if more breeders reported what has worked for them in successfully incubating different game bird species.”
An excellent manufacturer of incubators, brooders, and other equipment and supplies is GQF Manufacturing Co. of Savannah, Georgia. Phone 912-236-0651. GQF has a tremendous line of incubators of the highest quality for any hatching need, large or small. In addition to incubators and accessories, GQF sells brooders and heaters, breeding pens, feeders, waterers and feed systems, health care items, and much more!
One of the best and most reliable sources for game bird and poultry equipment and products (including parts and supplies) is Gillis Agricultural Systems of Willmar, Minnesota. Among the products offfered are feeding systems, drinker systems, hanging feeders and waterers, pens, game bird netting, nests, incubators, brooders, heaters, peepers, catching nets, leg bands, etc. Contact Gillis Agricultural Systems by phone toll free at 800-992-8986 and visit their website at www.gillisag.com to see all of the products offered. A free catalog that is available upon request.
A terrific source of wire and plastic fence, mesh, and netting for game bird farms, aviaries, and zoological collections is Louis E. Page, Inc. Among the many types of mesh and fence available from Louis Page Inc. are Galvanized before, vinyl coated, top netting, galvanized after, stainless steel, poly netting, etc. Among some of the products available related to fence, mesh and netting are earth anchors, hog rings, pliers, fasteners, Galvanized poly wire coils, safety ties, fence stapes, and much more... To get a free catalog, give them a call at 800-225-0508 or visit www.LouisPage.com. While at the Louis Page website, check out Duncan Page's informative blog and videos on how chicken wire is fabricated, how to build a wire pen, and others that you'll find of great interest and help.
The Treehaven Waterfowl Trust, located in the South Af
rican province of Gauteng, is one of the largest and most important collections of waterfowl ever assembled. It was established by John and Marie Sherry. Their curator is Heidi Weingartz, who is one of the world's leading experts on waterfowl and their propagation. Several wonderful articles on how they raise ducks at Treehaven have appeared in the GAZETTE.
It is interesting that 14 of the 16 species of South African waterfowl naturally range over the Trust. Heidi says wild ducks fly into their facilities regularly to forage and roost. While at the Trust, the wild ducks enjoy protection from some of the predators found in the surrounding area.
The Treehaven Waterfowl Trust has produced an outstanding video that we believe every breeder of ducks, geese and swans can benefit from. It is a must for those just getting started raising ducks, geese and swans, and veteran breeders will find it extremely interesting and valuable as well. The video is called Successful Waterfowl Management . In the hour long video, TWT share the secrets of its phenomenal success.
Through an easy-to-follow commentary and outstanding visuals, the viewer is introduced to one of the most beautiful waterfowl sanctuaries in the world and can learn all about preparing for a waterfowl collection (site selection, ponds, plants, fencing and recommended beginner ducks; food and feeding; dealing with vermin; commencing a breeding program (nest sites and boxes, breeding behavior, egg collection, incubation, hand-rearing, force-feeding, vent-sexing, pinioning and closed-ringing); and common problems and first aid procedures.The video may be ordered from: Treehaven Waterfowl Trust, P. O. Box 263327, Three Rivers 1935, South Africa. Phone 27-16 423 6740 or Fax: 27 16 423 2225. Several articles and many fine photographs from the Trust (including the photo of the family of Mute Swans shown on this page at left) have appeared in the Gazette.
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