BM7a 



MAR.'lC. 



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRI, 

 BUREAU OF aiOLOaiCAU SURVE 



HINTS ON RAISING QUAIL. 



Although numerous experiments in the artificial propagation orSq,uaal 

 have been made in the United States, much remains to be learned before meth- 

 ods can be recommended which will insure success. Following is a compilation 

 of the methods used by experienced breeders of quail who have published ac- 

 counts of their work. 



The proportion of young reared by the most successful experimenters 

 rarely exceeds from 30 to 50 per cent of the total number of eggs laid. The 

 greatest difficulties thus far experienced are connected with securing satis- 

 factory breeding stock, that is, birds that are strong, tame, and free from 

 disease} and caring for the young so as to keep them in good health. Breed- 

 ing birds should not be placed in coops or pens that have been used for 

 chickens or turkeys, nor should they ever be kept on ground that has been 

 used for domestic poultry. 



Gages. 



In the construction of cages or runs two lines of procedure have been 

 followed. Large permanent cages have been used, and while they insure pro- 

 tection from enemies, they are more expensive and make it necessary to gather 

 and bring to the cages much green food, and weeds, etc., for their seeds. 

 Small oagea are favored by most breeders. They are less expensive and are 

 easily moved, but they result in greater losses from natural snemies. All 

 cages should have the walls, up to at least 2 feet from the ground, made of 

 boards, or else of 1-inch-mesh poultry netting lined with tarred paper. 

 This keeps the chicks from escaping; they readily go through inch mesh. It 

 also prevents the birds from taking fright at dogs outside the cages, and 

 foils cats which otherwise would catch young quail coming near the wire. 

 The tops of all cages should be covered with ^--inch-mesh netting, (This 

 size used to keep out weasels.) The walls of permanent runs must be contin- 

 ued into the ground, about a foot, and it is better to have the buried por- 

 tion flare outward at the bottom, Brush or box shelters are necessary, and 

 a part of each run should be enclosed, except the side toward the south, so 

 that shelter from storms and a dry dusting place may be had at all times. 

 When large permanent runs are built, they should be in pairs, one of which 

 will be in use while the other is burned over, or limed, spaded, and sowed 

 to grass, clover, buckwheat, lettuce, and the like. If small cages are 

 used, they can be moved about from time to time on pastures or on cultivated 

 land sown as above described. 



Breeding. 



Quail should be kept in pairs, one pair to a pen. If the birds are 

 in good health and the eggs are gathered systematically, leaving at least 

 two nest eggs, from 30 to 50 eggs should be obtained from a single female. 

 Some have produced 100 eggs in a season. Records of the number of eggs per 

 pair, and of the percentage of fertile eggs, should be kept, so that the 

 ■^^A- v^a^,--^.- ^,4---'- --- t,^ selected. 



