The Essentials Package provides key items needed to get started with your game bird restoration. The recommended 40lb propane cylinder is included in this package. The added Chick-Aid™ and premium Chick Starter Feed can improve your restoration success significantly. YOU SAVE $50! Package Includes: 1 x XL Surrogator® 1 x Universal Heater 1 x 5-Nipple Waterer Bar 1 x Chick Flooring (for use with quail) 1 x Built-in bird fly-out prevention screen 1 x 15 Gallon Water Barrel 1 x Water Barrel Adaptor 1 x Chick-Aid™ 2 x Specialty Game Bird Starter Feed 1 x 40lb Propane Cylinder (empty)PLEASE ALLOW 8 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY. The Surrogator® is a self-contained incubator/field unit that will establish a huntable population of game birds on your property. This is NOT an adult bird release system! The Surrogator®functions as a “surrogate parent” by providing food, water, warmth and protection for the first 4 to 5 weeks of the bird’s life. By placing the Surrogator® in a location where you would like to establish a huntable population of pheasant, quail, chukar, turkey, or other game birds, chicks raised in the unit become imprinted to that location. The bird's natural homing instinct motivates them to live and reproduce where they were raised and released. The Surrogator® will hold 125 day-old quail chicks or 65 day-old pheasant chicks until they reach 4 to 5 weeks of age. The greatest mortality on the life of game birds happens in the nest and before three weeks of age. Chicks raised in the Surrogator® are protected from predators and the elements at a time when they are most vulnerable. Research proves that game birds develop their natural survival instincts around 5 weeks of age. Chicks raised in the Surrogator® have limited human contact, further protecting the natural survivability of the birds. Features: Full metal unit with camouflage finish Unit consists of 2-Stackable 40”x44”x16” components Easier transporting, cleaning & storage Unit components easily detach with 2 locking mechanisms Folding brooding & loafing lids Brooding lid removable for easier access & cleaning Brooding lid can be removed while unit is in operation without threat of bird escape due to the fly-out prevention screen Lid water run-off feature Outside operated divider control (between brooding & loafing components) Thermostatically controlled heating system Radiant Fiber Disk sits on heater frame for easy access & installation Angled heating controls for easier adjustment Newly designed gravity flow feeding system Promotes reduction in feed waste Built-in bird fly-out prevention screen Sliding screen located on brooding component Quick adjust 5-nipple watering system Limited exposure of clear plastic tubing Barrel complete w/site tube to quickly determine water level 15 gal blue water barrel & water barrel adaptor (for easy filling) Rubber coated, pre-welded mesh flooring Chick Flooring (for use with quail) Stress free release door Door includes mounting application for optional predator proof funnel Weekly check list mounted on inside of unit (PLEASE ALLOW 8 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY) HOW IT WORKS You will purchase 125 day-old quail or 65 day-old pheasant chicks from your local bird supplier. We can provide you a list of bird sources that will ship birds to you overnight delivery if a local source is unavailable. You will provide fifty pounds of top quality game bird starter feed (available from WMT or at your local feed store), a forty-pound propane tank (empty propane tank provided) and fifteen gallons of water (water tank provided). The Surrogator® will arrive with an instruction manual describing the minor assembly required and how to operate the unit. Maintenance The unit requires only minimal weekly maintenance and birds are released at 4 to 5 weeks. The fifty pounds of feed, 10 gallons of propane and fifteen gallons of water are typically adequate for one five-week cycle. A cycle can be repeated 3-5 times in a season, depending on the temperatures of your region. Depending on the habitat, we recommend one unit for every quarter section of property (every 160 acres or so).
