Description
Bob White Quail
Also known as Northern Bob White Quail
- Native to North America
- Mature weight around 140-170g
- Slow maturing compare to Japanese Quail, *first eggs around 6-7 month (Note below)
- Eggs are around 8-10g, expected to lay around 150-180 eggs per year.
- Broodiness – Moderate
- Maintenance – Low
Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) is a small, fast-moving game bird native to North America, known for its distinctive “bob-white” call. In the USA, they are commonly raised for hunting, meat, eggs, and conservation efforts. In Australia, however, they are primarily kept as ornamental birds or for egg production. They have compact, rounded bodies with short, square tails. Males are easily recognized by their striking white face and eye stripe, while females have a more muted brown coloration. They typically range from 20.3 to 24.7 cm in length, with a wingspan of 9 to 12 cm, and have an expected lifespan of 3 to 5 years.
These quails are highly social and thrive in groups. They prefer ground-dwelling environments with plenty of cover but can adapt to aviary setups similar to Japanese quail. However, Bobwhites tend to be faster, more nervous and flighty, requiring calm, quiet handling to reduce stress. Regular gentle interaction from a young age helps build trust and makes them easier to manage.
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Bobwhite quails are seasonal layers, meaning they primarily lay eggs during the warmer months and stop during colder seasons. *They will start produce around 6-8 month of age, however if their sexual maturity falls in colder season, they will hold off laying until next spring. Egg are white, weigh around 8–10g. A unique characteristic that sets Bobwhite quails apart from Japanese quails is their broodiness. Bobwhites will attempt to incubate their eggs naturally, with males also taking turns sitting on the eggs while females take breaks. Once hatched, both parents co-parent the chicks for about two weeks until the young are capable of caring for themselves.
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Incubation
Bob white quail eggs take approximately 23–24 days to hatch. In an incubator setting, standard incubation conditions are followed from day 0 to day 21, with “lockdown” beginning on day 21 and lasting until day 25. The temperature and humidity requirements are the same as those used for chicken and Japanese quail eggs but longer. Please see Bob white quail hatching tip for more info.
Raising Bob White Quail – Brooder set up, Habitat & Sexing Tips
