Bobwhite Update

[BaJa]

Have you tried wintering your birds outdoors? I feel like our winters might just be a bit too cold for them to survive in the wild.

Wild bobwhite have always lived in Ontario before they were pushed out due to agriculture and hunting. So yes, they can survive our winters. And, my quail are always in the aviary, rain or shine, -30 or +30, and survive fine.

 

[RosieR]

Wild bobwhite have always lived in Ontario before they were pushed out due to agriculture and hunting. So yes, they can survive our winters. And, my quail are always in the aviary, rain or shine, -30 or +30, and survive fine.

Cool to find ppl that live close! If I ever get into bobwhites I’ll know who to ask

 

[albinosilver]

Wild bobwhite have always lived in Ontario before they were pushed out due to agriculture and hunting. So yes, they can survive our winters. And, my quail are always in the aviary, rain or shine, -30 or +30, and survive fine.

Do you have any supplemental heat in your aviaries? What kind of shelter do you provide? Sorry for the questions but I’m pretty interested in trying this myself!

 

[BaJa]

Cool to find ppl that live close! If I ever get into bobwhites I’ll know who to ask

Thanks, I hope you get into bobwhites soon

 

[BaJa]

Do you have any supplemental heat in your aviaries? What kind of shelter do you provide? Sorry for the questions but I’m pretty interested in trying this myself!

No supplemental heat. Just as natural as possible. I do have a little shed at the end to get out of the wind, snow or rain. Its always open and they can pick if they want to go in or not. They are barely ever in there. It has hay as bedding, and that's where some make their nests and lay eggs. Others just make their nests under a branch pile or so.

 

[RosieR]

Thanks, I hope you get into bobwhites soon

Nah I probably need a bit more property so they can have their space. Just have a few cots right now. But bobwhites for sure when we move!

 

[BaJa]

Nice to hear of some more people who actually care about giving their birds room. I hate it when bobwhites (or any other birds) are put in a very small, wire cage. Birds have wings to fly, and beaks to forage. Not to sit in a 1' x 1' wire cage just for the whistle and being fed the same old gamebird food every day.
That's my opinion, and I wish more people thought the same.

 

[RosieR]

Nice to hear of some more people who actually care about giving their birds room. I hate it when bobwhites (or any other birds) are put in a very small, wire cage. Birds have wings to fly, and beaks to forage. Not to sit in a 1' x 1' wire cage just for the whistle and being fed the same old gamebird food every day.
That's my opinion, and I wish more people thought the same.

I absolutely want the best for any bird in my care. If I’m raising bobs I’d want a very natural environment for them. My cots have an aviary with a lot of space because I want them to enjoy their life regardless of if they are there for eggs or meat. The are also nice to observe while I drink my morning coffee.
I would love to try bobs in the future and set them up for release. I’ve also never seen a wild quail and that’s a nice thought that maybe they could take hold again in the area.

 

[albinosilver]

I’m down to just 9 babies. Had a lot of interest in them so ended up selling a few. Had someone come buy a pair as therapy animals (?) I guess if it works out for them. Here are the remaining all tuckered out. 3 normal, 5 tuxedo and 1 fluffy white bottom. I think I will keep 2-3 pairs from these. Is there any way to sex the pure white one when it’s older?

 

[BaJa]

I absolutely want the best for any bird in my care. If I’m raising bobs I’d want a very natural environment for them. My cots have an aviary with a lot of space because I want them to enjoy their life regardless of if they are there for eggs or meat. The are also nice to observe while I drink my morning coffee.
I would love to try bobs in the future and set them up for release. I’ve also never seen a wild quail and that’s a nice thought that maybe they could take hold again in the area.

Awesome! If only more people thought and did that. All animals want to enjoy life. From dogs to corturnix quail.