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JJSS89

JJSS89

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5 Years
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May 14, 2014
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Good Morning,
I am new as a member but have been lurking for a few weeks. Learning as much as I can about quail and raising them. I have an 800 sq foot aviary all ready for my bobwhite chicks that are still in their eggs. Hopefully that's enough room for the little heathens :)

I have raised fryers/broilers and laying flocks for about 15 years so I might have something to contribute in those areas. I have great success and years of experience with meat birds if anyone might have any questions. Cornish X Rocks really aren't gross, people just don't give them enough space and don't feed them properly.

J
 
Hello, and
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! Glad you joined us! Head over to the quail forums and I'm sure you will find all the info you need and more
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lhttps://www.backyardchickens.com/f/48/quail
 
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Welcome to BYC!

Bobs are pretty aggressive little birds. They will need at least 4 square feet per adult bird during the off breeding season and paired up and separated during the breeding season. They are highly territorial and can hurt or kill each other during breeding season. This first year you can keep them all together and possibly next year. (they will not be breeding or laying until next spring) Sometimes they are docile enough to keep them all together on their first year of laying. But come the second year, during breeding season, you will need to separate the pairs.

When they hatch, make sure to use jelly jar lids with tiny stones or chick waterers as Bobs are the size of bumble bees and can drown in regular water fonts. Dip everybody's beaks in the water when placing them in the brooder and they are not very smart and can die of thirst for not being able to find water. Crush starter feed for the first week and keep it sprinkled around the feeder on the floor. They can not eat standard sized crumbles and need nearly powder. Keep tapping your fingers at the food to teach them were it is. (quail are very dumb as babies. LOL)

Do not crowd them in the brooder. Bobs are notorious for killing each other even as babies if they are hot and cramped. They go after the beaks and peck until the babies are dead. So start with 1/2 square foot in the brooder and 1 square foot by 3 weeks of age. Start the temp at 97 degrees. Bobs need extra heat. Lower it by 5 degrees each week. If however during the brooding period, they are getting aggressive, lower the heat by 3 degrees to help chill them out.

Good luck with your Bobwhites and welcome to our flock!
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone, my brooder has two 250 infrared heat lamps and the temp is set up to be between 97-99 with a few cooler spots around the edges with the waterers. I filled the waterers with disinfected red marbles and a few cleaned dimes to attract. Their gamebird feed is 30% protein and crushed to bumblebee-eating size.

The brooder is 6'X6' and lined with paper towels. I will water them all after pulling a batch from the incubator once they're dried off.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your quail project! You've gotten some good advice and links above.
 
Welcome to BYC
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Glad you joined us!
 

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