SQUABS AND OTHER GAME BIRDS

1. Products

Game birds that may be considered for commercial production in the Mallee include squab pigeons, pheasants, quail, partridge and guinea fowl.

While there is some experience with each of these and some other small specialised poultry lines, the main experience and opportunities to date has been squab pigeons.

Each game bird has production methods specific to the species. They are all produced primarily for specialised markets such as restaurants in capital cities and airlines, and and are grown by a very small number of specialist producers. Requirements are very specific to each market.

In central and northwest Victoria there are an estimated 50 - 75 producers of squabs, and at least 3 processors plus wholesalers. Some of the processors handle other game birds.

Some processors produce their own birds but most are grown as sidelines on a contract basis.

2. Physical Requirements

Successful squab production is not difficult provided the rules are followed and the birds are carefully monitored.

Good breeding stock is essential and hard to get. The quality of the breeding stock will affect things which can be critical in marketing such as size and flesh colour. Housing must be carefully designed to provide good ventilation and hygiene. A flight area for sunlight is essential. Care must be taken to see that birds are not overcrowded. Portability is desirable.

Cafeteria access to peas, corn and wheat at all times is essential, as is clean water.

3. Production

A 3 x 3 metre cage with a 2 metre flight area will house 40 birds (20 breeding pair).
Each breeding pair will produce up to 16 young a year.

Birds free feed in the cages with feed being lidded to protect from spoilage with droppings. Drinkers are outside the cages for the same reason.

A health schedule must be maintained and birds carefully monitored at all times. Canker disease for example is a major disease virtually eliminated by by routine treatment of young birds.

Most are produced as a sideline enterprise. About 600 pair would be needed as a stand alone farm unit.

4. Markets

It is essential that anyone considering producing game birds of any sort, satisfy themselves that they have markets before starting. Wholesalers and processors are the best starting point.

There does appear to be unfilled markets in Australia for squabs for example, but the producers must understand and produce precisely to the specifications of each niche market.
Very little work has been done on export, but prospects of developing markets in Asia and Europe would seem quite good should the industry develop sufficiently to supply quantity and quality consistently. It would seem necessary to establish large farms of 5000 birds or more to give the consistency of supply and economies of scale necessary to access these markets. This would benefit the small producer.

5. Financial Aspects

Birds for breed stock (at weaning) are about $10.00 each. Birds ready to breed (about 6 months later) are about $20.00 each. Housing is a major item. Old sheds and shed materials on farms may be utilised. Old fruit drying racks on nearby orchards is a possible source of cheap wire, wood and iron.


A 3 x 3 metre cage with a 2 metre flight area is required for every 40 birds (20 pairs).
Banana boxes make good nest boxes and cereal straw or lucerne hay makes suitable lining.

Size is very important. Large birds (500 grams dressed) can bring $6.50 a kilo delivered to processor, while birds dressing out at 350 grams may return only $3.50 a kilo.

6. Organisations and Contacts

7. References