Game bird production Flashcards
Commonly reared gamebirds
Ring neck pheasant
Red leg partridge
Diseases to check for in game birds
Mycoplasma
Salmonella
At what age can a poult regulate its temperature
10 days
Common problem in gamebird poults
Yolk sac infection
- hygiene
- incubation
Non starts
- management
- breeder health
Rotavirus infections
- hygiene
- MDA
Gamebird poult development
Establish a good gut flora
Minimise stressors on chicks
Minimise gut flora disturbances
- Hygiene
- Coccidial control
- Management changes
Gamebird poult growth requirements
- Space
- Hygiene
○ Feeders
○ Drinkers - Litter quality
- Move from rearing pens at the right time
- Hygiene
Rotavirus in gamebirds
- Unthrifty
- Dehydrated and inappetance
- Diagnosis PAGE testing
- Treatment
○ Electrolyte replacement
Coccidiosis in gamebirds
The infectious process is rapid (4-7 days)
Replication in intestinal cells
Extensive damage to the intestinal mucosa
May be found in the whole intestinal tract in game birds
Pheasants
- E. Colchici
- E. Phasiani
- E. Duodenalis
Red legged partridge
- E. Legionensis
Inappetance
Diagnosis - intestinal wall scrapes
Treatment
○ Most rearing feeds include Avatec (lasolacid)
○ Amprolium/Baycox
Hexamita and Trichomonas in gamebirds
- Increased mortality
- Poor appetite
- Unthrifty weight loss
- Dehydration
- Treatment
○ DMZ
○ Tetracyclines/Tiamultin
○ Prebiotics, probiotics, essential oils
Release of gamebirds to wood
Release pens are just that, not holding pens
Potential for disease if stocking densities too high
Potential for disease if feeder and drinker areas overstock
Ensure adequate cover
Aim to release asap
Grouse
Grouse cannot be reared commercially, they are truly a wild bird
Live exclusively on heather, young heather growth which is nutritious
Heather burning required to get new growth
○ Conflict with conservationists
○ Natural England
Syngamus tracheae in gamebirds
- Gapes
- Teenage and adult birds
- Routine worming with benzimidazoles
