Question I know the answer to:

Danny C.

Songster
Jan 10, 2018
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I’ve got bobwhites, about 20 year and half olds and 50 4-5 months old I hatched. Know I have too many males and need to cull, how many? thinking 50/50 now that they are developing plumage.
Here’s my question: since we have been getting so much rain in north central Texas, I have found 5 in last week dead. Sure they are tired of each other cooping themselves together. Don’t see them fighting usually even though dead ones have a lot of feathers missing. Either they are killing both ages through aggression or decease. Pen is 8’x5’x6’ length/width/height.
Your thoughts!
 

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Honestly, they look super crowded. Where are the feathers missing from on the dead ones? Just from around the head would make me think fighting death.

I'm curious how you've been solving the seasonal territorial-ness issue? I was under the impression that bob pairs needed their own enclosures during mating season, or else they get into bloody fighting.

I also thought you were supposed to keep bobs in ratios that allow pairs, so you could separate them off with their mate during breeding season? Like, they aren't Coturnix, where you can keep a bajillion girls and just a few boys.

Aim for giving each bob at least 2 square feet of space; I would think that the enclosure you posted would be good for around 20 bobs, tops. Even if you intend to eat the ones you raise, I think it's cruel to pack animals together for productivity's sake.
 
Honestly, they look super crowded. Where are the feathers missing from on the dead ones? Just from around the head would make me think fighting death.

I'm curious how you've been solving the seasonal territorial-ness issue? I was under the impression that bob pairs needed their own enclosures during mating season, or else they get into bloody fighting.

I also thought you were supposed to keep bobs in ratios that allow pairs, so you could separate them off with their mate during breeding season? Like, they aren't Coturnix, where you can keep a bajillion girls and just a few boys.

Aim for giving each bob at least 2 square feet of space; I would think that the enclosure you posted would be good for around 20 bobs, tops. Even if you intend to eat the ones you raise, I think it's cruel to pack animals together for productivity's sake.
Yes is too crowded. Been waiting for rancher to schedule pick up of 40-50 but he’s been out of town a lot and I don’t have key to gate, he already bought 100 last month. Normally kept 1-3 ratio this spring of 22 quail. Hatched about 175 chicks.
Feathers gone from head and backs so figured fighting. Just hate to see die off so figured just go ahead and cull 10-15 males and see if helps.
 
Yes is too crowded. Been waiting for rancher to schedule pick up of 40-50 but he’s been out of town a lot and I don’t have key to gate, he already bought 100 last month. Normally kept 1-3 ratio this spring of 22 quail. Hatched about 175 chicks.
Feathers gone from head and backs so figured fighting. Just hate to see die off so figured just go ahead and cull 10-15 males and see if helps.

Yeah, sounds like fighting :(. Culling will take some of the pressure off, but only if you kill enough to make a difference. I hope you can find "overflow" housing so you don't have to kill so many.
 
Yeah, sounds like fighting :(. Culling will take some of the pressure off, but only if you kill enough to make a difference. I hope you can find "overflow" housing so you don't have to kill so many.
If can’t get date by Thursday, culling begins. Mine enjoy getting up in coop also but all dead ones found on ground level.
 

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