Hatching and Raising Bobs

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

I have read it. I meant tips on bobs....

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Is it OK to keep bob breeders in a cage?

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

PLEASE answer my Q!!

 

[diggypaws]

Quote:
Read this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=102281

It should answer a lot of your questions.

Basically: Game bird food, high protein (depends on what is available where you live, but something in the 20s). Clean water daily. Predator proof housing. Minimum of one square foot per bird. House at least 3 females per male. Otherwise, he'll tear the females up. Some females don't get along with each other or with some males. Watch for this. They can scalp each other though they aren't as violent as Bobs. Calcium -- give oyster shell. I also give cuttlebone but you don't have to. Make grit available if food contains anything other than crumbles. It's okay to give some grass (dried or fresh) or other green foods. A bit of hay is also something that will occupy their time. This gives them something to do other than pick on each other. It's not a must, though.
Lots of people keep them on wire from the time they are a few weeks old. Others of us prefer to keep them on solid flooring. If on solid flooring, you'll have to change bedding frequently. NEVER use cedar as a bedding. Use pine shavings or pine pellets.
Coturnix appreciate having a pan of sand around so they can dust bathe.

Chicks - pretty much like any others. NO drafts. Folks here will argue over temps but generally you'll see the guidelines to be 95 the first week, drop 5 degrees per week. Adjust this based on chick behavior. DO NOT use wire for new chicks. Do not use newspaper, or any slick paper -- feedsacks are a no go. Gunny sacks are a no go - they can get their little feet caught. Towels are okay if you have no loose threads. The soft, NON SLIPPERY rubber shelf liner is good. Some kinds of paper towels are okay but NEVER the smooth brown kind. There have been brands discussed elsewhere recently. Feed chicks the highest protein gamebird starter you can get your hands on. Manna Pro is a good one if you don't have hundreds of chicks. It's pricey at about $5-7 per five pounds (depending on where you live) but very good feed.

Quail babies drown VERY VERY easily. This includes coturnix. You "must" take precautions. Use quail waterers that attach to jars. Put marbles in the tray to keep them from drowning. I use those flat marbles sold in the craft section. These stand on side in the narrow quail waterers.

That's a start. Read the above thread & ask more questions if needed. Probably best to do this in a different thread though as it'll get mixed up with the bob info.

Coturnix are much tamer and calmer that most gamebirds - almost like little chickens.

They do a little hopping thing that is so much fun to watch - I call them my dancing little quail

They make me laugh every day

If they get out of their pens, most of them just sit around until I pick them up.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Is it OK to keep bobs in breeding cages?

 

[JJMR794]

Yes

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

What is the best male/female ratio per cage?

 

[JJMR794]

1to1 Works Best With Bobs But Many Run Higher Numbers In Community Pens And There's The Occaisional Trio In Breeder Pens-- Really Kinda Depends On The Hens, Some Dont Play Well With Others...

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Thanks!!

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

How can I tame Bobwhite Chicks?