How to Grow a Bobwhite Quail

Bobwhite quail are one of the most common species of quail throughout North America. Made up of several subspecies, bobwhites are identified by their small stature, distinctive white facial markings and piercing vocalizations. Bobwhite quail are popular with poultry enthusiasts, as they are hardy and simple to raise. These small birds eat a variety of insects, making them a valuable pest-control asset as well as an enjoyable pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Shallow storage container
  • Incubator
  • Brooder boxes, approximately 36 inches long by 36 inches wide
  • Chick feed and water pans
  • Chick starter
  • Bird coop
  • Straw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather fertilized eggs from your hens or purchase them from a breeder. Bobwhite quail can lay upward of 15 fertilized eggs in a single clutch, so if you are gathering eggs from your own hens you may need to collect eggs more than once per day. Keep the eggs in a shallow storage container at a temperature of approximately 60º F to prevent embryonic growth until you are ready to place them in your incubator.

    • 2

      Plug in your incubator. Allow it to reach a temperature of 99.5º F and approximately 70 percent humidity before placing your eggs in a single row on each tray. Close the incubator door and monitor the temperature and humidity daily via the thermometer and hygrometer built into your incubator to allow as many eggs as possible to hatch. Bobwhite quail eggs will hatch between 23 and 24 days after being placed in the incubator, so keep a close eye on your eggs during that time.

    • 3

      Set up your brooder boxes a few days before your eggs are due to hatch. Place a chick-sized feed and water pan in the brooder, filling with fresh water and chick starter.

    • 4

      Move your chicks to the brooder boxes once they have hatched, plugging in the heat lamps and keeping the boxes closed to prevent your chicks from getting chilled. Refill the feed and water dishes daily and clean out the brooders once a week to remove spilled food and feces. Keep your quail in the brooders until they are 15 days old before moving them to your coop.

    • 5

      Prepare your coop for your young birds. Move your feed and water pans from the brooder boxes to the coop, setting them in opposite corners to prevent your chicks from splashing water into their feed. Bed the floor of the coop shelter with clean straw to help keep your chicks warm and comfortable. Turn your bobwhite quail chicks loose in the coop, observing them to make sure they are eating and that there are no gaps or holes through which they can escape.