While young breeders may begin to lay a few eggs as early as 18 weeks of age, do not expect consistent egg production until about 22 weeks of age. Housing needs, feeding schedule, lighting program and vaccination schedule are all calculated in reverse from the time the birds are about 22 weeks of age. The quality of bird produced and the time of year they are available may greatly influence the price received for flight-ready Bobwhite quail. Breeder producers typically sell day-old chicks at $0.25-0.30/bird, whereas flight-ready bird producers market 17 week-old birds at approximately $2.80-3.00/bird. Most successful producers typically raise breeders with the intent to market the resultant chicks at one day of age to growout producers, or they specialize in the growout of day-old chicks until approximately 17 weeks of age to sell as flight-ready birds to game preserve owners. With the associated problems of agronomic crops such as droughts and volatile market prices, Bobwhite quail production has received attention as an alternative enterprise for many farming operations. The total number of hunting preserves and plantations in the southern region provides an excellent market for Bobwhite quail producers. ![]() In addition to the large number of hunting preserves in Georgia, there are many other plantations in the adjoining southern states. ![]() Approximately 175 hunting preserves are permitted annually through the Department of Natural Resources. In Georgia, it is required that public use hunting preserves obtain annual permits through the Department of Natural Resources. Each year in Georgia, approximately five million Bobwhite quail are produced and marketed for use at hunting preserves and plantations.
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