Bobwhite Quail Beginner here with questions.....

[chicmom]

Hello fellow quail lovers!

I need some help. I can't seem to find much reading regarding the Bobwhite Quails. I bought an incubator package, which included 20 quail eggs. Well, 35 quail eggs came in the mail, and I popped them into my new incy, and 18 hatched. Two of the quail chicks had problems and died, but I now have 16 ten day old quail chicks.

So here are my questions.....how soon will I be able to tell males and females? And exactly how big do they get at maturity?

And another question is WHAT THE HECK DO I DO WITH THEM? I am a chicken person. And these eggs just came with my incy. I really didn't want them, but I couldn't throw them away. I'm raising them in a brooder in the house, because I'm in Ohio and it is cold now. I really do like them......

What do you all recommend? What do you do with your quails?

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,
Sharon

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
Well Sharon, welcome to the quail addiction!

Bobs vary greatly depending on the sub speces... Most mature in about 24-26 weeks tho there are a couple that are slower... As far as size now here's where subspeces really comes into play! some may be as small as 10-12 oz or as large as 20+ oz, all depending on the breed. Sexing can be done visually in most speces at about 12 to 16 weeks of age, maybe a lil later, they will show color changes--- the hens will keep the brown 2 tone strips on the face/ head while the males will change to brown and white. Now behaviorally is where the average chicken folk run into alot of trouble with Bobs.... You see they are awful cute, but mean as a junkyard dog to each other! They require a good deal of space and a few distractions and hiding places dont hurt either. For best results feed only game bird starter and later game bird feed---- regular chicken starter or crumbles can cause these guys a good deal of grief and they require a much higher protien content than chickens as well as a different feed formula. They are agile fliers with incredible vertical take-off capabilities and flush easily at a very early age( they will start in about 4 more days or so...). They will require fully enclosed pen.They do not free range. These guys are never going to be easily handled and will remain flighty spaz cases for life in most cases. They are quite attractive birds to keep and have a wide range of vocalizations. BOBS ARE TRUE WHITE MEAT QUAIL--- THEY ARE IF NOT THE BEST TASTING MEAT THEN THEY ARE DEFINATELY NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST! They require more time and money invested than coturnix quail for meat or egg production so the arent as popular for raising. They are seasonal layers that begin late spring hens may lay 12-30 or so eggs in each clutch and will likely lay a 2nd clutch late summer. They are not overly broody in captivity and generally require artificial incubation. Eggs are edible as well. Primary uses: raise for meat, raise for fertile eggs for your own hatching or for sale. DO NOT, LEMME REPEAT THIS=== DO NOT RELEASE INTO THE WILD!!! NOT ONLY IS VERY LIKELY ILLEGAL BUT YOU MAY ALSO SINGLEHANDEDLY WIPE OUT THE WILD QUAIL POPULATION FOR 3 STATES IN ANY DIRECTION FROM DISEASE. You should also check your states gamebird laws carefully-- they may require special licensure or permitting in your state. They should not be housed with or in close contact with other fowl--- chickens, ducks, turkeys may all carry diseases that quial are susceptible to and have no immunity against.

Basically raise them for meat
raise them for fertile egg production
or sell them


Feel free to pm with any specific questions! Good luck!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

How much room do you recommend per bird? And I'm guessing these guys are best kept in pairs (and more than one pair can be housed together)?

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
AS MUCH AS YOU CAN GIVE THEM + AN EXTRA 10 SQUARE FEET!

They do require way more space than coturnix or buttons. They keep well in pairs in smaller cubicals, but only 1 pair or trio to small cage. Large coveys or community pens require at least 1 hen to every roo and a couple spare wont hurt either. In large coveys they need quite a great deal of room to remain peaceful. Bare minimum would be 2 sq ft per bob and thats only if the hen ratio is higher and may still net trouble during breeding season. You can run them 1:2 or 1:3 easily and even 1:4 and still have good fertility.

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I figured they would, being as wild as they are. Thanks

 

[wilds of pa]

some good info here
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_manuals/feeding_quail.html

 

[aprophet]

Here are a coupla publcations that filled in some of the questions I had

http://www.poultry.msstate.edu/extension/pdf/raising_quail.pdf

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PS/PS01700.pdf

HTH