Day 22 Jumbo bobwhite quail - how to tell when they are ready to hatch

[mamamac87]

So we set eggs on May 7 which after reading more that is day 0not day 1 so we took turner out of bator on day 19. Habe had to add more water for humidity so incubator has been opened a couple of times for a minute or two. What are the signs of impending hatch? My daughter and I are anxiously waiting. We had candled our suspect eggs when we moved turner out and tossed the clears. Dont want ti candle or open incubator again unless absolutely mecessary. How do these hens do this???!!

 

[James the Bald]

There was no indication that my bobs were hatching (or ready to hatch). I kept my temps and humidity as steady as possible the entire time, so I was frustrated when dinner time, there still weren't any chicks on day 23. They eventually did make their arrival, and I have 18 panic stricken bobs that are a month old. Patience is the key. OH, and when it's time for eggs... patience is the key.
James

 

[wday]

How hard are the bobs to raise?

 

[dc3085]

How hard are the bobs to raise?

They aren't really "hard" to raise, so much as unforgiving. They have to be kept a certain way or cannibalism ensues.

Most cannibalism starts in the brooder with bobs, so they have to be brooded under red light. They need more space in the brooder than coturnix do as well.

Stocking density with bobwhites is really important. You dont want to push it and try to put extra birds in any space.

They breed in pairs or trios and have to be kept that way for the entire breeding season (May-August) The rest of the year they can live in one big cage as a covey, as long as you give them enough space.

Bobs require at least 4 sq feet per bird in community cages. Breeder cages can be much smaller, most people use battery cages to breed.

They only lay eggs from May-August, they'll lay about 100, then stop until next year. If you use artificial lighting, you can create another breeding season in the winter, and push it up to 200 eggs per hen per year. (lighting birds cuts down their lifespan)

Basically if you are keeping them the wrong way you'll know because they'll kill each other.

Here is a good article on bobwhites.

 

[wday]

That is a good article thx... I'm looking to start a small flock for my home. Any difference in taste of the birds you know of?

 

[dc3085]

Coturnix are all dark meat, legs and breast. Bobwhites have a white meat breast. Bobs are tastier but take 5-6 months to be ready for slaughter vs 2 months for coturnix.

 

[mamamac87]

So we are hatching!! 8 down 84 to go!! How long before we can move them to the brood box?

 

[James the Bald]

So we are hatching!! 8 down 84 to go!! How long before we can move them to the brood box?

I normally wait 24 hours. Anything beyond 30 hours will really be stressing out the little ones. The one thing I can recommend is that they all be "fluffy" and able to walk when you transfer them to the brooder. Otherwise, you are not doing them any favors. The rest of the chicks will run over or injure them if they are just laying on the floor of the brooder. If they are not fluffy, just leave them inside the incubator for an hour or 2.
James

 

[FossilPeak]

Let them dry off and get them under a light at about 95 degrees. They cool off very quickly. Whomever mentioned canibalism is right. Those things are ruthless. Keep your brooder clean. Once they get crud stuck to the bottom of their feet the others start pecking their toes off. Seems to be much worse in the winter months...I've found that they are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to raise through the winter. If you have them outdoors or in an outbuilding keep mice and ants beat down as well. Mice will bite their toes off and then their siblings do the rest. Brutal little birds. I've got mine in brooder boxes. Typically about 150 in a 4'x4' box. I move them to a 4x8 box when they get about 4 weeks old to give them more room. Typically clean the boxes out 3 times a week. Keep on mind the suckers can fly like a bumble bee at about 3-4 weeks. You'll need to keep it covered or you'll be chasing birds all over.

Here's my setup...it's not fancy but it's been very effective.

Threw this one together today...got my hatching schedule off and had to have more room in a hurry! Haven't had time to hang the lights yet. I typically build them 4x8 then put in a drop board splitting it into two 4x4's that can be easily removed.

 

[James the Bald]

Keep on mind the suckers can fly like a bumble bee at about 3-4 weeks.

I had one launch into a ceiling fan at 14 days when I was changing their water. Catapulted it across the room and landed on the couch. Didn't seem to phase him.
James