how young can bobwhites lay

[lobo307]

i have some northern and georgia giant bobwhites at 5 months old. can i expect them to lay right at 6 months or will they go later?

 

[_Randall_]

You "may" see an egg or 3 before fall, but I wouldn't expect the big "egg rush" until next spring.

 

[lobo307]

well that puts a hamper on my hatching thru the winter.

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
X2...EVEN IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO STIMULATE THEM INTO LAYING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS FERTILITY UNDER THESE ARTIFICAIAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY SUX

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, you will get a few eggs this fall, but you will have to wait until next spring for their egg making machines to kick into gear. Pretty soon Bobs will stop laying for the season.

 

[lobo307]

oh well, ive waited this long, perhaps i can build my flock in the spring. that is if i can keep people from buying them. they must be rare in s.c. im thinking about just buying eggs to hatch.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
X2...EVEN IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO STIMULATE THEM INTO LAYING DURING THE WINTER MONTHS FERTILITY UNDER THESE ARTIFICAIAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY SUX

I got a few eggs off birds I hatched last spring last winter but I turn the lights off in jan feb and part of march kina give the birds a break

 

[pinkwindsong]

in our area there are not many wild bob whites anymore.. can I get some and raise them and let some loose on a reg basis to try to build up their numbers? or is that just a pipe dream.. I miss hearing them..

thanks
Pink

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
You prolly need to read this thread good before you do: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=429252

 

[Fat Daddy]

Quote:
Got to ask yourself "why are there less bob whites than there used to be?" Most likely its because there is no habitat left to support breeding numbers. They need a food source and cover. Then theres the predators, house cats are the biggest quail killers around...

Then the next question is "Is it legal to raise,breed,sell, release gamebirds or "indigenous species" in your state with out a game breeder permit?"Most states no...

I do wish you luck, I love to hear the bobs too. My pens are just outside my back door. You can hear them almost all the time. Most folks just cant believe all the different sounds they make. I find it very soothing to come home after a long day and just sit and listen.... I came home last week and a wild bob was sitting on the roof of my butler pen. I think he was try'n to talk one of my girls into run'n away with him...It didnt work out for him! Bill