Any Bob White People??

[Clminer]

Im raising my first chickens that I love doing even more than I thought I would. I’m interested in raising a few quail. My grandfather always had Bob Whites when I was younger but he’s passed on now so can’t consult him. Anyone here raise them? Do you raise them for meat? I understand that obviously they would require much less space than chickens but are they harder to keep up or easier. Just looking for some basic info and guidance or opinion on quail really. I’ve looked at hatcheries and they require a minimum order of 100. Wow. Anyone know of anywhere in East Tennessee to get a smaller number of quail for a starter.

 

[Shadowfire]

Sorry about your grandfather. IMO, quail are better for ornamental eggs than for meat production. Just my opinion though, feel free to disagree. Another thing to consider is having a very good coop/run, because large numbers of quail are seldom recovered, as they are the perfect prey for a multitude of predators. But don't get discouraged! trying quail would be a good experience. Good luck!

 

[Stepnout]

I used to keep a few Bob white’s. I belonged to a field trial club. Each spring we would purchase BW’s for field trials. We would set out quail over a 2 day event and have pointing dogs point the birds. We would flush and fire a blank gun. Some areas of North America run shoot to retrieve trials, our group were not sanctioned for shoot to retrieve trials. Look up your local pointing dog field trialers and maybe they can put you in touch with a source for birds. Maybe you can place an order with the club.
I always kept 10 -15 quail in a call back pen. The pen is very much like a lobster trap. You always leave some birds in the pen and they call back any birds you let out. Quail have a beautiful voice and their eggs are fantastic but it will take 3-4 to make one chicken egg.
Here is a link to one of many styles of call back pen
http://www.bobwhitequail.com/bobwhitequail1_003.htm

 

[Stepnout]

I see you are in Tennessee,that is the Mecca of bird dog field trialing in all of North America.
The National Championship is run there every year. If you call there they will likely put you in touch with the right folks.
http://www.amesplantation.org/field-trials/2019-national-championship/

 

[Clminer]

Sorry about your grandfather. IMO, quail are better for ornamental eggs than for meat production. Just my opinion though, feel free to disagree. Another thing to consider is having a very good coop/run, because large numbers of quail are seldom recovered, as they are the perfect prey for a multitude of predators. But don't get discouraged! trying quail would be a good experience. Good luck!

Thank you. I am would like to raise them just to enjoy them really. I don’t really have the heart to harvest them for meat. The good coop/run predator proof wouldn’t be a problem I definitely overbuilt/predator proofed on the chicken coop/run

 

[Clminer]

I see you are in Tennessee,that is the Mecca of bird dog field trialing in all of North America.
The National Championship is run there every year. If you call there they will likely put you in touch with the right folks.
http://www.amesplantation.org/field-trials/2019-national-championship/

I did not know that about the call back pen that is very interesting. I also did not know about the national championship I will look into that thank you.

 

[bhaugh]

I have bobs just as pets. There is a learning curve with these birds as they are pretty flighty. I'm not sure they would be a first bird to start with but if you decide to I'd start small and see if they are the breed for you. If not, you not into a lot of money.

 

[bhaugh]

Coturnix are a good first bird. They are friendly if you spend some time with them and they lay fast.