How to Raise Bobwhite Quail for Beginners

Bobwhite quail are the largest type of quail in North America. The term Bobwhite quail comprises a number of quail species, recognized by their piercing calls and white facial markings. Bobwhites are also the easiest type of quail to raise, making them a perfect species for beginners. Raising Bobwhite quail is an enjoyable experience and opens the door to raising more difficult quail species in the future.

Things You'll Need

  • Storage tray
  • Incubator
  • Brooder box
  • Feed and water dish
  • Quail starter
  • Coop
  • Straw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy fertilized Bobwhite quail from an established breeder. Bobwhite quail lay a large number of eggs throughout the year, making them easy to find and affordable for beginners. Lay the eggs in a flat storage tray and keep the tray in a room with a temperature of approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the embryos from growing until the incubator is ready.

    • 2

      Set the humidity on the incubator to 70 degrees and the temperature to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the eggs in a single layer on each tray and shut the door. Most incubators have built-in hygrometers and thermometers, making them easy for even beginners to adjust if necessary. Turn the eggs over each day to keep the growing embryo from fusing to one side of the shell. Bobwhite quail eggs will begin to hatch after 24 days of incubation.

    • 3

      Fill the feed dish with quail starter and the water dish with clean water, placing one at each end of the brooder box. Brooder boxes are necessary for beginners, as they keep the chicks contained in a small area and keep them warm to prevent hypothermia. Plug in the heat lamp on the brooder box 24 hours to warm up the box before the eggs are due to hatch.

    • 4

      Observe the eggs carefully once they begin to hatch. Bobwhite quail are born with a small egg tooth on their beaks that help them break free of the shell. It may take up to 10 hours for each chick to free itself, so allow the birds to free themselves to keep from injuring them. It may be frightening for beginner Bobwhite raisers to see the chicks struggle, but it is a lengthy process.

    • 5

      Move the chicks to the brooder once they have dried after hatching. Dip your fingers into the water and wiggle them gently in front of the chicks to show them where the water is. Bobwhite quail scratch the ground in the wild as they look for food, so move your fingers through the chick starter to encourage the hatchlings to eat.

    • 6

      Transfer the chicks to the coop after 15 days in the brooder. Move the dishes from the brooder to the coop, placing them in opposing corners to keep the chicks from wetting their feed. Place a layer of clean straw on the floor of the coop to make comfortable nests and keep the chicks warm. It may take up to a day for the chicks to acclimate to their new environment and settle into a normal routine.