Male to Female Ratios For Bobwhite Quail Breeders

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted using a total of 1088 Bobwhite quail hens to determine the effects of polygamous matings, cage space and multiple males in a cage on production characteristics. Male:female ratios tested were 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. Either one or two males per cage with 387 to 774 cm.2 floor space per bird were used.Egg production tended to be higher with a 1:1 male:female ratio, a single male per cage and with a smaller cage space. In general, fertility was similar for all male:female ratios; however, in some cases reductions were noted. Hatchability of fertile eggs was not affected by treatments. The 1:1 male:female ratio gave the best results based on chicks per hen housed. On the basis of chicks per breeder (male and female) housed, multiple hen treatments gave better results.