Bobwhite questions

[mrbstephens]

My incubator will arrive tomorrow and I'm planning on filling it with bobwhite quail eggs. So, three weeks to incubate plus 8 weeks of brooding would bring me to October. I need them to eat the ticks on my property.

First Question; Is it too late to release them this year?

Second Question; How many should I keep to overwinter for breeding in the spring and how large of an enclosure will they need?

Third Question: How large should the flight pen be for about 100 quail and how long should they be in it before they are released?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I'd like to just start with these three. Thanks.

 

[mrbstephens]

Incubator just arrived! Now, just waiting on the automatic turner and then I'll order the eggs.

Does anyone have any answers for me?

 

[Peacerose]

I'm new to quail so I don't know anything about releasing quail. But for a bug-eating bird, guinea hens come to mind. They can be allowed to run wild.

 

[mrbstephens]

I have guinea hens. I've got permission to release in the couple hundred acres in my area to help with the ticks. They are so bad, you can't go outside without pulling a few off of you and this is every day. I caught Lyme's this year and several of my neighbors have had it. I just sent in my domestic game breeders license application. At this point, it's become an epidemic in our area and no one is helping with the problem, so I've taken matters into my own hands.

I just need some questions answered..........

 

[UndergroundQuailRoad]

1. It is not too late to release quail, they can keep on their own until la nina hits us this winter with her wet coldness and turns them in to bobwhite-cicles. They should keep until December. I would recommend not releasing the ones you want to breed for next year, since they do not recall 100% of the time, particularly as the hawks, coyotes, neighbors cats... eat them.

2. Depends on how many eggs you want to start with come spring (egg per day x 7 days of viability x # of hens = # of eggs to incubate, conservatively), what type of breeding you want to do (how many roos to keep; 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) , how much you want to spend on feed.

3. 1-5 sq ft per bird is within the standard of practice, more space = less fighting. As far as recalling, I would caution you to release a few at a time, they will get called back in by the others, and gradually release more.

 

[TwoCrows]

You need to check with your state as to whether it is legal to own or release Bobwhite quail in your area. It is illegal to endanger our nations wildlife and pen raised Bobs can do just that. IF they survive the first few nights. Highly unlikely. They need to be raised in a proper manner to keep them wild in order for them to survive.

 

[mrbstephens]

Thank you so much! These are the answers I was looking for!

My incubator hold 120 quail eggs and I'd like to hatch and release at least twice next year, but preferably 3 times. I was thinking 1 roo and 4 hens, but maybe I should go with 2 roos and 8 hens just to be sure I get at least one roo to breed with.

Yes, I'll keep the breeders to overwinter.

So, they will return? I wasn't sure, because I've read different things, but that certainly makes sense to just release a few at a time so that they will return.

Thanks again! Very excited!

 

[mrbstephens]

Yes, I'm in the process of getting my license and have permission from the department of environmental conservation. I also have permissions by the town who owns the nature preserve across the road.

And yes, I am aware of allowing the birds to build up flight muscles in order to have a higher chance of survival in the wild.

Thank you.

 

[TwoCrows]

It is not just flight muscles that you need to be concerned about. Pen raised Bobs bond with humans when raised in their company and lose their ability to survive predation in the wild. Pen raised Bobs do not have the survival skills as their cousins raised in the wild and starvation and or thirst will kill them, if the predators do not get them first. They will not hang around your property eating your ticks. They will disappear very quickly and will not recall what so ever.

 

[UndergroundQuailRoad]

I agree that it is not just developing the flight muscles, but creating a weary bobwhite to ensure survival. Limiting human contact does help, as does feeding and changing the water at night. Teaching them to recall to a Johnny house would give them a safe place to come back to as well as a food source, but requires more human interaction/responsibility.

It is prudent to expect losses, but also given appropriate cover, food sources, and cautious quail that survival is possible. Creating a sustainable population is another story since the quail generally lack the brooding skills necessary to propagate. If you release enough, you are bound to beat the odds...

Good Luck!