Bobwhite breeding ratio

[Byrdj]

Is it better to have two pair of bobwhites or one rooster and three hens per breeding pen? I've read that bobwhites are monogomous so I'm confused. Would the rooster breed with all three hens if he were in the same pen? If so, I don't see the advantage of keeping two pair instead of one rooster and three hens, since you can't get eggs from the extra rooster.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

The breeder I visited had 1 roo to 3 hen ratio. He is a big name breeder, so I recon he knows the best way to raise them.

 

[Wifezilla]

If you want to raise them like commercial breeders, 3:1 is common. If you want to raise them and simulate their natural breeding cycles, then you want 1:1. From what I understand, when they are 1:1 you get a chance they will brood out their own young.

Here is an article I stumbled on...
http://www.thatquailplace.com/articles/index.php?id=8

 

[deerman]

In the wild they do pair up. In the large cages I run two hen per one rooster.

 

[_Randall_]

Good question - Good thread. This is something I was gonna ask also. Not to get technical, (and not to hijack the thread), but what could be the results of putting ... just say ... 3 hens per roo vs. 2 hens per roo? I've heard only 1:1 ..... all the way to 4:1 (hens:roo). I'm a little confused???

 

[deerman]

Lot depend on the males, if you have to many hen you may have some hens that dont get bred.(lower hatch rate) good thing the more hens the less stress on them.

With my snowflake I keep in pairs, to get the most fertile eggs. Know some breeders keep 3:1 still have over 80% Fetile eggs.

With colony breeding more hens, better for the hens. even for the males less fighting. only fault would be lower fertile eggs.
Remember hen will only need bred once a week.

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

When I got mine, the guy said that I would have good luck with 4 females and 1 male...

I havent gotten eggs yet, but I hope that they are fertile!!

 

[GunRunnergundogs.com]

I mostly colony breed and I run my flocks about 2 to 1.
2 hens to every male with about 40 to 50 total birds per colony.
I will usually throw in a couple extra males just for good measure.

Thanks
Kenny

 

[La Mike]

Generally you should have 3-4 to 1 in a colony breeding cage you can have as many as you have room for
In breeder cage no more than 2 to 1
I keep mine at 1 to 1
I also have colony breeders i keep around 25 birds in only 5 are males
Remember the more males the more risk of fighting with too few hens
If you get too many hens you lose fertility and your wasting time breeding that way
One male will breed or try to breed however many hens you give him he can only manage 3-4 consistantly and thats what you should be trying to acomplish ( right)

MIKE

 

[Schroeder]

Sorry for the dumb, newby question but will they hatch and raise their own or does everyone put their eggs in incubators?