First Eggs Bobwhite Quail

[PennysHennys]

First, I ask forgiveness ahead of time as I am sure the answer to this question is in this huge forum somewhere!! I have 21 Bobwhite quail that are 21 weeks old. I am a novice to raising them but have managed to condition them so that they look and act healthy now. Had them 3 weeks, obtained from a breeder who raises for hunting preserves. Today, I found the first egg. Is there a chance it could be fertile?
I haven't noticed any breeding postures as far as I can tell but, I know I need to separate into pairs or trios very soon (waiting on a cage to be built). I don't think I want to try to incubate chicks this year as I don't feel I have enough information about the breed. I am reading everything I can on this forum and from reputable sources. They are beautiful and we have released 2 pairs on our farm. I have heard them calling and the captives answer back! Many thanks! Any information appreciated.

 

[DK newbie]

I'd say yes, there is a chance it's fertile. If a female is old enough to lay it, most likely there is a male that's old enough to fertilise it. Though at least with coturnix quail it's recommended to wait a couple of weeks before you start collecting eggs for hatching, for the best hatch rate. Doesn't mean the first egg can't be fertile though.
But if you don't plan on hatching it, I suggest you eat it

 

[PennysHennys]

I'd say yes, there is a chance it's fertile. If a female is old enough to lay it, most likely there is a male that's old enough to fertilise it. Though at least with coturnix quail it's recommended to wait a couple of weeks before you start collecting eggs for hatching, for the best hatch rate. Doesn't mean the first egg can't be fertile though.
But if you don't plan on hatching it, I suggest you eat it

Thanks, I was on track with my thinking anyway. I will eat it! This is a learn as you go process and there seems to be lots of information but sooo many opinions. Thanks so much for your response.

 

[007Sean]

I'd say yes, there is a chance it's fertile. If a female is old enough to lay it, most likely there is a male that's old enough to fertilise it. Though at least with coturnix quail it's recommended to wait a couple of weeks before you start collecting eggs for hatching, for the best hatch rate. Doesn't mean the first egg can't be fertile though.
But if you don't plan on hatching it, I suggest you eat it

X2, before you cook it, if not boiling it, look to see if it is fertilized. Look for a 'bullseye' on the yolk.

 

[PennysHennys]

X2, before you cook it, if not boiling it, look to see if it is fertilized. Look for a 'bullseye' on the yolk.

Great idea! Thanks for the tip!

 

[HarleyQuailison]

First, I ask forgiveness ahead of time as I am sure the answer to this question is in this huge forum somewhere!! I have 21 Bobwhite quail that are 21 weeks old. I am a novice to raising them but have managed to condition them so that they look and act healthy now. Had them 3 weeks, obtained from a breeder who raises for hunting preserves. Today, I found the first egg. Is there a chance it could be fertile?
I haven't noticed any breeding postures as far as I can tell but, I know I need to separate into pairs or trios very soon (waiting on a cage to be built). I don't think I want to try to incubate chicks this year as I don't feel I have enough information about the breed. I am reading everything I can on this forum and from reputable sources. They are beautiful and we have released 2 pairs on our farm. I have heard them calling and the captives answer back! Many thanks! Any information appreciated.

 

[HarleyQuailison]

I have a pair of Bobwhite that have been laying eggs like crazy since October. I have taken many eggs out and fed to my dogs, they love them, but suddenly, mom got all broody and began sitting on the eggs. She has barely been off them for 3 weeks and now I'm suddenly in a dilemma this morning as only one hatched and mom freaked out. They are ther quirkiest things I've ever seen, and when she freaked, apparently dad decided to begin chasing her. She is used to being held by me so after a few hours of this chaos, I finally got her to come into my arms. Trying to get her calm and trying to get the male and baby close to her to show her there's nothing wrong. After she was done being held, she went right back to chaos. Dad's taking care of the baby and I tried taking the baby out but he had a fit. So I'm sick trying to figure this out. Some are telling me to let it play out but others say other things. One thing I know for sure is, they will make a nest they feel is safe together, then they will lay eggs up to 25 before mom will actually sit on them. As far as the egg being fertile, candle it and see if there is yoke and look for a white dot, although I find that hard to see. If I'm not mistaken, it should look yellow see through, but everyone says different things. I think I'm just considering all of them fertile if the Male is hoping on the female, pulling her head feathers, and she's screaming horribly, as that's how they mate. Quirky things they are. I need to get rid of this baby and try to get my babies back to normal. Don't think I'll let them keep eggs anymore.

 

[maadroj]

Maybe the male is trying to protect the chick from the panicking female?

 

[HarleyQuailison]

Maybe the male is trying to protect the chick from the panicking female?

That's what I think. I know they are freakish sometimes and get scared easy, which I find I can always reassure them, unless one is freaking like that, the other always chases and bothers the other, almost like telling them to chill out, but only making matters worse. Usually, if I turn out all lights and force relations, they ate fine by morning, but this time he really does seem to be protecting the baby a bit. Although he has no qualms about stepping on the baby lol, it's find though and very resilient. I'm taking the baby and possibly three more if they finish hatching to the wildlife preserve here and will no longer allow eggs to stay in with them. They are mostly in complete harmony all the time. Last time I think it was a mouse that got in to the house, as we have traps set and caught it. She just freaked for a while. They were snuggling by morning. If they aren't better by morning I'm taking them to the wildlife preserve so they have a chance to grow and repopulate the Northern Bobwhite in America