Are bobwhites sitters?

[SilkieMomPoof]

So, I was wondering if bobwhite quail were any good at sitting? I have some that I hatched, and although I don't plan on keeping most of them, I was wondering if I could get any more from the ones I have? I wouldn't know since I've never had any before. Thanks for putting up with all of my amateur questions!

 

[TwoCrows]

Are you wondering if they go broody and set on eggs?

I have never had Bobs set on eggs full term. I have had them set for days on and off, a few hours here and there. The longest I have had setters is all day. Then at night, they sleep in their normal spots, going back to the nest when they wake up.

It is pretty rare in Bobwhites to go broody and stay that way. They have lost much of these instincts. It might be possible if you kept 1 pair in a large aviary with natural surroundings, gave them tons of privacy and they were completely comfortable mentally. Even then, it would probably not happen.

 

[Ntsees]

So that's how domesticated bobwhites are. I was just wondering how effective they were as brooders in another post. They are becoming like some chicken breeds that are poor at brooding and raising chicks.