Bobwhite quails are a popular gamebird species that are frequently raised and hunted across North America. Determining the value of a bobwhite quail depends on several factors, including whether it is a live or dressed bird, if it was wild-caught or pen-raised, and the bird’s size and quality.
Live Bobwhite Quail Prices
For live bobwhite quails sold by breeders and hatcheries, prices typically range from $2-$5 per bird. Factors impacting the price include:
- Age – younger chicks cost less than older, near-laying age birds.
- Quantity – buying larger numbers of quail can reduce the per-bird price.
- Quality – healthy, vigorous birds from proven breeding lines cost more.
- Delivery fees – shipping live birds adds to the overall cost.
Here are some typical price ranges for live bobwhite quails sold online:
Type | Age | Price Per Bird |
---|---|---|
Day old chicks | 1 day old | $2.50 – $3 |
Started pullets | 6-8 weeks old | $3.50 – $4.50 |
Ready-to-lay hens | 16+ weeks old | $4.50 – $6 |
Adult males | 6+ months old | $3 – $5 |
There are often quantity discounts available, such as pricing per 25, 50 or 100 birds from a hatchery. Individual hobbyists may pay a premium of $1 or more per bird for smaller orders.
Dressed Bobwhite Quail Prices
For bobwhite quails sold to restaurants, butchers and consumers as dressed/processed meat, prices are significantly higher than live birds:
- Whole dressed quail – $4 – $8 per bird
- Semi-boneless quail – $6 – $12 per bird
- Boneless quail breast – $8 – $15 per pound
These prices depend on the size of the birds, which impacts the amount of usable meat obtained. Larger pen-raised quails and wild-caught birds command higher prices per pound. Preparation also affects price – semi-boneless and boneless cuts are more expensive due to the additional labor involved.
Factors Influencing Bobwhite Quail Prices
Several factors impact the retail value of bobwhite quails:
- Weight/Size – Bobwhites are a smaller quail species. Larger birds yield more meat and are worth more.
- Wild-Caught vs. Pen-Raised – Wild quails are appreciated for their gamier flavor, but smaller supply means higher prices.
- Processing – Live birds are least expensive, followed by dressed whole birds. Boneless cuts are premium priced.
- Breeding & Health – Vigorous, healthy birds from quality breeding lines command higher pricing.
- Local Supply & Demand – Prices fluctuate based on number of regional breeders/hunters and seasonal demand.
In general, high quality pen-raised bobwhites average 5-7 ounces live weight. Larger specimens over 8 ounces and wild-caught birds over 6 ounces garner maximum per-pound pricing. Well-handled birds with intact breast meat free of defects, blemishes or bruises also fetch top dollar prices compared to torn or damaged product.
Bobwhite Quail Size | Live Weight | Dressed Weight | Est. Value Per Bird |
---|---|---|---|
Jumbo/X-Large | Over 8 oz | 5-7 oz | $6-8 (live) $12-15 (dressed) |
Large | 7-8 oz | 4-6 oz | $5-6 (live) $8-12 (dressed) |
Medium | 5-7 oz | 3-5 oz | $3-5 (live) $6-10 (dressed) |
Small | Under 5 oz | Under 3 oz | $2-4 (live) $4-8 (dressed) |
Market Trends and Outlook
Over the past decade, bobwhite quail prices have trended upward due to declining wild populations coupled with steady consumer demand. Tighter supplies have led farms and breeders to charge premium rates, especially for large, high quality birds. This outlook is expected to continue barring any major revival of wild quail stocks.
Consumer interest in locally raised, specialty poultry has also benefited small-scale bobwhite breeders able to tap into farmer’s markets and restaurants seeking fresh, sustainably produced ingredients. However, bobwhite production remains modest compared to other domesticated fowl. Total number of quails sold for food in the U.S. is estimated at less than 50 million annually – compared to over 9 billion chickens.
Given their niche status, bobwhites are likely to remain a luxury/specialty product commanding premium pricing for the foreseeable future. Average prices between $5-8 per bird live weight and $10-15 per bird dressed weight reflect the current fair market value.
Pricing Bobwhite Quail Meat for Sale
For bobwhite breeders, properly pricing your birds is important for profitability. Here are some tips when pricing your live or dressed quails:
- Base live bird prices on age, quality and order size. Stay in $2-$5 per bird range, charging more for adults and bulk orders.
- Price dressed birds by the pound rather than per bird. Aim for $8-15 per pound for whole birds, $10-18 per pound for semi-boneless.
- Boneless breast pricing should be around 2x more per pound than whole dressed birds.
- Account for your production costs including feed, housing, processing, and shipping.
- Research current market rates in your area based on bird size, quality and preparation.
- Build in profit margin of around 50% or more over your costs.
With some farms able to raise bobwhites for $3 or less per bird in feed and direct costs, a live price of $5 per bird and dressed price of $10 per pound enables healthy profits while remaining price competitive.
Conclusion
In summary, the fair market value of bobwhite quail depends largely on the size and quality of the birds, preparation method, and whether they are pen-raised or wild-caught. Live birds typically sell for $2 to $5 each, while dressed retail cuts range from $6 per bird for whole dressed quails up to $15 per pound for boneless breast meat. Given stable consumer demand and modest supplies, premium prices for large, high quality bobwhite quails are expected to persist into the foreseeable future.