Bobwhite quail, also known as the northern bobwhite, is a popular game bird that can be raised on farms or in backyards across North Carolina. With proper housing, feeding, and care, bobwhite quail can thrive in captivity in the Tar Heel state.
Bobwhite Quail Overview
The bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is a medium-sized ground bird native to North America. They are known for the “bob-bob-white!” whistle the males make during breeding season. Bobwhites have a round body shape with a short tail and wings. Their feathers are intricately patterned in browns, tans, whites, and blacks to provide excellent camouflage in their natural habitat.
Bobwhites are highly social birds that live in coveys of 10 to 30 birds outside of breeding season. They forage on the ground, eating a varied diet of seeds, berries, insects, and greens. Bobwhites play an important role in controlling pests like ticks and chiggers and dispersing native plant seeds.
These popular gamebirds once thrived across the eastern and southern United States. However, their numbers have declined by over 80% since the 1960s due to habitat loss and degradation. Bobwhite quail are now considered a conservation priority species in many states, including North Carolina.
Bobwhite Quail Habitat in North Carolina
Bobwhites thrive in early successional habitats found across North Carolina such as crop fields, pastures, grasslands, shrublands, and open pine forests. They need a diversity of native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and bare ground. Good bobwhite habitat provides food, shelter from predators and weather, and nesting sites.
Some of the best quail habitat can be found in the Sandhills, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain regions of central and eastern NC. However, bobwhite populations have declined in these areas due to development, intensive agriculture, and fire suppression altering the landscape. Efforts are underway across the state to restore quail habitat on private and public lands through prescribed burning, disking, timber thinning, and planting beneficial plants.
Requirements for Raising Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhites can be raised in captivity for hunting, conservation, or ornamental purposes. Here are some key requirements for successfully raising them on a small scale in North Carolina:
Proper Housing
Bobwhites need an enclosure that protects them from predators and prevents escapes, but also allows in natural light and fresh air. A coop or hutch elevated off the ground with a wire mesh floor and sides works well. Allow at least 1-2 square feet per bird inside the coop. The enclosure should include perches and hiding spots. Place the housing in a quiet, sheltered spot near trees or shrubs.
Outdoor Pens
In addition to coop housing, provide an outdoor pen or flight cage for birds to access during the day. Pens should have a bare dirt floor and measure at least 10 square feet per quail. Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth fencing dug 6 inches into the ground to prevent digging out. Provide shrubs, brush piles, and grass clumps for shelter and roosting sites. Rotate pens periodically to give birds access to fresh vegetation and prevent disease buildup.
Proper Diet
Feed bobwhites a balanced diet with about 20-24% protein and ample calcium for egg production. Provide a quality game bird flight conditioner feed. Supplement with greens, seeds, berries, and insects. Grit should also be available to aid digestion. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Disinfect feeders and waterers weekly.
Well-Managed Flock
Start with day-old chicks from a reputable breeder. Rear chicks under a brooder until fully feathered. Maintain flocks of similar aged birds grouped into breeding trios or small coveys. Trim flight feathers annually to prevent escape. Provide dust bathing spots to allow natural feather care and pest control. Routinely inspect birds for illness and remove any dead or injured quail.
Proper Care
Bobwhites require attentive care to remain healthy and productive. Monitor birds daily. Clean housing and pens regularly to prevent disease. Allow supervised free-range time. Keep detailed records of flock management. Handle birds gently and minimize stress. Seek veterinary care for any health issues that arise. Provide proper lighting and heat. Dispose of wasted properly to deter pests.
Permits and Regulations
Regulations regarding captive bobwhite quail vary by county and municipality in North Carolina. Always check first before acquiring quail. A permit may be required to raise game birds and you may need to tag or band each one. Comply with all relevant laws and codes for housing, care, sales, shipping, and release of bobwhites.
Selecting and Acquiring Bobwhites
Day-old chicks can be ordered from local or national hatcheries that specialize in game birds. Reputable breeders will guarantee live delivery of healthy chicks. Another option is to acquire eggs for hatching in an incubator. Fertile eggs should be stored pointy end down at 55-65°F and 70% humidity prior to incubation. Bobwhite quail eggs take 23 days to hatch.
When selecting breeding stock, choose birds from proven, productive bloodlines. Healthy bobwhites appear plump and sleek with bright eyes, smooth feathers, and active movements. Ask about parent flock vaccination and disease testing status. It’s best to purchase directly from breeders you can visit and evaluate yourself.
Plan well in advance, as quality quail chicks are often sold out months before the spring hatching season. Be aware of minimum order sizes, which are often 25-50 chicks. Prepare brooding housing ahead of new chick arrivals.
Brooding and Rearing Bobwhite Chicks
Successfully brooding bobwhite chicks requires diligent attention to temperature, nutrition, and protection. Here are some tips for getting chicks off to a strong start:
- Prep brooder housing by covering floors with 2-3 inches of clean pine shavings. Install a draft shield, heat lamp, chick feeders, and waterers.
- Pre-heat housing to 90°F for 24 hours before chicks arrive. Lower temperature 5°F each week until 70°F.
- Provide ample feed and grit specially formulated for game bird chicks with 28% protein.
- Keep chicks safe from pets, rodents, and predators. Use 1/2 inch hardware cloth to secure housing.
- Allow no more than 100 chicks per 75-100 sq ft of space. Reduce density as birds grow.
- Give fresh water daily. Dip chicks’ beaks in water to encourage drinking. Clean feeders and waterers often.
- Monitor chicks closely for pasting up and injuries. Gently clean and isolate any sick birds.
After 6-8 weeks in the brooder, chicks will be fully feathered and ready to transition to outdoor coops and pens. Take care to avoid exposure, chill, smothering, starvation, and escape during brooding.
Managing Mature Bobwhites
Proper care and management of adult bobwhite quail requires providing adequate housing, nutrition, and attention to health. Follow these tips for keeping mature bobwhites in North Carolina:
Housing
- House mature birds in coops that allow at least 3 square feet of space per quail.
- Use roosts, perches, and hiding spots to mimic natural habitat.
- Open flight pens during the day for exercise and foraging.
- Birds can tolerate cold but avoid drafts, precipitation, and heat stress.
- Keep litter dry by frequently replacing soiled bedding.
- Clean and disinfect housing between batches of quail.
Nutrition
- Feed a game bird flight conditioning diet with 20% protein year round.
- Supplement with seeds, produce, sprouted grains, and calcium sources.
- Provide insoluble grit to aid digestion.
- Give laying hens additional calcium for eggshell strength.
- Ensure adequate fresh water at all times.
- Disinfect feeders and waterers weekly to prevent disease.
Health
- Monitor for signs of illness and isolate sick birds promptly.
- Follow biosecurity measures and have a veterinarian inspection annually.
- Treat parasites and diseases quickly under vet direction.
- Dispose of mortalities properly to prevent spread of pathogens.
- Quarantine and test new bird acquisitions before adding to flock.
- Avoid stressors like overcrowding, heat, chilling, and excess handling.
With good care, bobwhites can live 2-3 years in captivity. Monitor flock productivity and replace breeding stock every 1-2 years to maintain vigor.
Breeding Bobwhites
Bobwhites are prolific, easy-to-breed gamebirds. They reach sexual maturity at 16-28 weeks of age. Here is a summary of bobwhite quail breeding biology and management:
- Maintain breeding trios of one cock and two hens or small coveys.
- House breeding birds in quiet enclosures away from disturbances.
- Provide 14-16 hours of light to stimulate breeding condition.
- Offer high protein feed and grit to support breeding.
- Provide nest boxes or grass clump nesting sites.
- Collect eggs daily for incubation or flock production.
- Fertile eggs hatch in 23 days when incubated properly.
- Hens may produce up to 300 eggs annually from spring to fall.
- Raise chicks as coveys for security and social development.
- Monitor breeding performance and replace poor producers.
Proper year-round care and handling is important for getting good breeding results from bobwhites. Seek guidance from experienced breeders when first getting started.
Incubating and Hatching Bobwhite Quail Eggs
Bobwhite quail readily use artificial incubators and hatchers for flock production. Here are some key tips for incubating and hatching their eggs:
Incubator Conditions
- Set and maintain temperature between 99-102°F.
- Keep relative humidity around 60% for first 19 days.
- Raise humidity to 70% for hatching in last 3-4 days.
- Allow good air flow and ventilate to expel CO2.
- Turn eggs at least 3 times daily or use an automatic turner.
- Keep accurate records of incubation conditions.
Incubator Tips
- Disinfect incubator thoroughly before each hatch.
- Set only clean, intact eggs pointy end down.
- Cool eggs to room temp before setting if older than 10 days.
- Do not disturb after day 18 to avoid damage to hatching chicks.
- Transfer chicks to brooder once fully dried and fluffed up.
Test for fertility after 7 days by candling eggs. Clear the incubator of unfertilized and dead eggs to prevent contamination. Monitor the incubator closely and make adjustments if needed. Hatch rates over 80% are achievable with good technique and fertile eggs.
Releasing Bobwhites for Hunting
Bobwhite quail chicks can be “flight conditioned” and released on suitable preserves for hunting. Consider the following for raising and releasing bobwhites:
- Obtain required state permits and comply with all regulations.
- Only release captivity-raised quail on appropriate hunting preserves.
- Do not release pen-raised quail into the wild due to disease risks.
- Raise chicks in broods and space to encourage wildness.
- Provide flight pens for exercise and acclimation pre-release.
- Health test and quarantine birds prior to any release.
- Time releases for appropriateseasons and conditions.
- Use traditional crate conditioning and broadcast release techniques.
- Follow best practices for wildlife stewardship and ethics.
Proper conditioning is vital to give released bobwhites the best chance of survival for the hunting season. Work closely with preserve managers and wildlife agencies to ensure regulations compliance.
Challenges of Raising Bobwhites
While bobwhites can be productive in captivity, there are some challenges to be aware of:
- Genetic viability – Maintain diverse breeding stock to prevent inbreeding issues.
- Disease susceptibility – Bobwhites are prone to endemic avian diseases.
- Stress factors – Overcrowding, heat, and disruptions can impact health.
- Escaped birds – Bobwhites are skilled fliers and escapers.
- Predation – Vulnerable to many predators; security is key.
- State regulations – Permits often required; know your local laws.
Proper facilities, nutrition, and attentive care can help mitigate these challenges. An experienced avian veterinarian is a valuable asset for health issues. Always keep bobwhite quail containment and welfare a top priority.
Benefits of Raising Bobwhites
Here are some of the rewarding benefits that make bobwhite quail a great bird to raise:
- High reproduction rates and quick growth to table size.
- Hardy birds with few special needs beyond shelter and good feed.
- Excellent for training hunting dogs and testing their field skills.
- Fun to maintain backyard coveys and observe natural behaviors.
- Can supplement wild population restoration efforts through releases.
- Quail eggs are delicious and high in nutrition.
- Provides opportunities for youth and families to engage with wildlife.
The bobwhite’s importance as a gamebird makes raising them popular for hunting preserves and dog training. Their prolific egg laying also makes them excellent for small-scale food production.
Conclusion
Bobwhite quail can be raised successfully in captive settings across North Carolina when their housing, nutrition, health, and behavior needs are met properly. Their high rates of reproduction allow quail keepers to maintain productive breeding flocks and hatch plenty of chicks for restocking hunting preserves, dog training, or the dinner table. While bobwhites do require attentive daily care and secure enclosures, they can be a fun and rewarding backyard poultry species for those willing to invest the effort. With careful planning and management, you can enjoy raising your own bobwhite coveys in the Tar Heel State.