Weird Quail Question...

[quailheart]

I have 12 bobwhites right now that have been laying eggs. We are about to incubate some in a day or two but I was just hoping someone could answer this question. I tried to look it up on the internet and I also searched it in the threads but nobody has an answer. Can quail mate with their parents? Because if they don't, I am going to have to get rid of my two males that I have now so I can keep two males that hatch. Otherwise they won't be able to mate next year. (And I only have room for two males at a time because I only have two cages to separate them during mating season.)

 

[Green Bean Quail]

From what I have seen ( I did a little research) you can do it, but the infertility of the eggs along with genetic disabilities will increase. I wouldn't reccommend it. Personally I always buy seperate batches for breeding, or pitch the eggs from my sibling quail. Myshire is great for adult breeding quail, they send you a bunch of different quail colors and I even got a rosetta.

 

[Nabiki]

I don't think Myshire does bobwhites. They sell coturnix.

 

[Green Bean Quail]

I don't think Myshire does bobwhites. They sell coturnix.

Oh shoot duh I blanked on that my bad!

 

[quailheart]

Ok. Thanks guys! I guess I might have to get rid of either my two males now or my males that hatch. But one more question: If I keep one of my males now and one of my newly hatched males, will the females mate with the quail their age or do they not think about or care about that? (I am trying not to get genetic disabilities)

 

[Nabiki]

I don't think they care.

 

[mdees88]

I was under the impression that breeding adults to their offspring will actually strengthen genetics and breeding brother to sister is what is not recommended. Not sure where I read that though....

 

[quailheart]

Ok. Thanks everybody, your replies were really helpful.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Breeding them with their siblings is worse, but breeding them with their parents is still bad because they have similar genes to their parents. It's still inbreeding, which is bad.

 

[mdees88]

Just did a quick search and there's a lot to it. Look up line breeding.

Seems like breeding as far down the line as you can is best for minimizing genetic issues while still carrying over the desirable traits your looking for.... meaning from worst to best is... brother/sister.... dad/daughter.... Uncle/niece.....

I will have to do some more research on this....