I just put in 74 standard BOBS in the incubator. We will see how the hatch rate goes. My bobs are like wild birds, a lot different than the coturnix quails, who I can literally reach in and pick up. The standard breed live a lot longer and are hardier than the coturnix. I won't change out my breeders for a long time, do to the time it takes for them to mature. I have these just for enjoyment and I am expanding with a new covey to have in a large ground pen. With the resident coopers hawks we have breeding and raising young every year, there will be no flight pen. I also use 1/2" x 1/2" wire so they can't stir the quail up and snatch off the heads as the try to escape. These hawks are experts at it and have been caught in the act doing this to my neighbors chicks. I will hatch out a batch of coturnix nest for replacements and meat. My breeders are now nearly 2 years old. I get eggs daily from all as I have a timed lighting system for the shorter sun hour months. This works with any animal as they use length of daylight to lay eggs or breed. I have done this for many years raising meat rabbits and fowl. Now with the efficient lights, the cost is nothing to run them. Good luck and have fun.
