New World Quail
Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)
Standard Length - 8 - 11 inches.
Standard Weight - average 9oz (250g)
Life Span - 8 to 10 years
Clutch Size - 7 to 28 (average 16)
Incubation Period - 23 days
Breeding Ratio - 1 male : 1/3 female
POL - 20 weeks
Breeding Season - Varies upon climate, often March through to September
The Bobwhite Quail has a wide distribution across much of the eastern and southern parts of the United States, with 22 different subspecies being recognised through this range. It also found on various islands in the Caribbean, including Cuba. Bobwhite Quail are readily available in the UK, and easily managed.
There is considerable variation in the appearance of some of the varieties of Bobwhite Quail in the wild, and number of colour forms have been developed in captive stock. White, Silver, blonde and fawn are all known. There is also heavyweight strains available intended for the table rather than the aviaries. These birds attain a weight about three times more than the normal Bobwhite Quail.
Their unusual name stems from the sound of their call, which male utter particularly in the spring at the start of the breeding season. If unpaired, they may continue to call regularly over a considerable period, in hope of attracting a mate.
Since they can be sexed easily, breeding presents no particular problems, and these quail can be kept satisfactorily in pairs or trios, composed of a cock and two hens or in a mixed group known as a covey.
Bobwhites typically lay from 7 to over 20 eggs in a clutch, and both parents will care for the resulting offspring, if the hen proves willing to incubate the eggs. Most chicks in the UK are hatched in an incubator however, they must be reared in relatively spacious surroundings, because otherwise they are likely to resort to pecking each others toes, causing injury, as well as engaging in feather plucking.
These quail are easily housed in an aviary, they will invariably roost on perches, often as high up as possible. They are remarkably hardy quails, and appear largely unaffected by snow, although dry roosting quarters are essential.
