thinking about going big

[backcountry]

well im thinking about trying to make a run at going big
what i would like to know is  how do you guys do your birds (keep then separated or
any ideas on anything would be helpful
maybe a few pics of your grow out pins

thanks all


tim

[Bird Brained]

If you don't mind...Can you clarify what your definition of "BIG" is?  What species you plan to raise?  For what market? Etc?

[backcountry]

quail (jumbo brown and bob's) will be my main but will also have ring neck and chucker
hmm big would like to have a nice bit of income 500 week  to help with things

[Little Bear Game Farm]

Do you mean another job that pays $500 a week and then the birds as a sidejob?   

I'm contemplating doing the same right now and am looking at about a $15,000 investment to expand my pens, buy eggs, equipment, marketing, licensing, plus the major expense of feed prior to being able to sell any birds at maturity.  That isn't quite the total expense but I hope to have sales to have the money to finish the remainder of the birds.  I am looking at raising about 2000 pheasant and 1500 chukar. 

I have not decided, yet, if I am going to go through with the expansion, but I have run all the numbers I can think of to make sure I know what it will cost to do this.  I raised about 250 pheasant and 300 chukar this year and the pheasant reach maturity in a week.  I plan on going to a handful of game farms and giving them a few birds to take out themselves along with a brochure with my price list.  You can sell your birds as cheap as you want but if they aren't good flight birds, nobody will buy.  Game farms need top quality birds or they lose their customers, trainers need top flight birds or they can't train.  I've already sold a bunch of chukar and they did well and am waiting to see how customers like my pheasant.  If I can't guarantee sales, no expansion.   The first thing I suggest if you plan on going "big" is making sure you have customers that are willing to buy.  Otherwise, buy a big freezer 

[bugflipper]

 There is a very high overhead as this gent eluded to. Truly the first step is to ensure the market is there before you even consider going big. Another thought is ornamental pheasant or ducks. They sale pretty high per mated pair. Sadly many game bird operations fail due to the very high overhead. Unless there is a market for gourmet, hatchery chicks or a hunting preserve near for finished birds,,,,,, a large step can be dicey.