Jumbo Bobwhites

[smoothmule]

I have a trio of the quail. The cage is a little larger than a standard rabbit cage. The only other option, if they don't adapt to that cage, is a chain link pen attached to a 4 by 6 portable barn. I could add chicken wire to the inside of the whole pen but the outside area is 10 by 10 and 6 foot tall, the top is covered with a chain link panel too. I just fear they will get out when I enter to pick up eggs and there's no way to get electricity to it.

I may have to just see if it works out in the cage and sell them if it doesn't.

 

[smoothmule]

I really don't mind if they don't lay until spring. The guy I got these from say his lay all year but his are in a large barn and probably get laying mash, I don't know. He told me they should lay for me before spring.

I won't feed the laying mash. I'd rather have them lay sporadically but then I don't even care that much if they lay at all, I really just wanted them to hear them call bobwhite and enjoy seeing them. Raising a few chicks was just a bonus.

I'll definitely keep them warm, dry and well fed. If they are happy and bless me with some fertile eggs, that will just be cool. If they don't lay until spring, maybe I can put together a better pen for them by then.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep you all posted

 

[shelleyd2008]

Laying mash wouldn't be a bad idea, they'll need some source of calcium when they start laying eggs. I like using flock raiser supplemented with oyster shells for my coturnix.

How old are the bobwhites now? They won't need heat if they have shelter from the wind. Unless you want to make them lay eggs during the winter.

 

[smoothmule]

They're 20 weeks old.

For my other poultry, I use oyster shell and for the little guys some caged bird sand/grit as well as a vit A,D,E supplement sprinkled in and I also put diatomacious earth in the crumbles to reduce parasites but it's also got trace minerals in it. I feed the game bird grower but as a treat, I add a little bit of vitamin enriched birdfeed that has millet, black oil sunflower seeds etc. They just get a little of that.

I read that quail need extra protein so I figured they might like a boiled egg a day and whatever greens I have around, mostly dark green salad greens and just rye grass out of the yard. I like all mine to have a bit of variety.