Quail chicks already?
- Thread starter jaytee
- Start date
OKIEGunner
New member
Jaytee,
I think in our region (SW OK) the biological clock is 2-3 weeks early this year. It could be a big plus if we continue to retain enough moisture that enables higher bug retention, thus prolonging the nesting season. Mother Nature is providing a perfect scenario this year in SW Oklahoma, but the next 30 -45 days are critical. I have seen numerous Turkey poults and expect next week to see many quail poults.
Bad news, the early spring has allowed the Wheat Crop to be harvested much earlier than in previous years. Farmers are starting to combine crops right now.
I think in our region (SW OK) the biological clock is 2-3 weeks early this year. It could be a big plus if we continue to retain enough moisture that enables higher bug retention, thus prolonging the nesting season. Mother Nature is providing a perfect scenario this year in SW Oklahoma, but the next 30 -45 days are critical. I have seen numerous Turkey poults and expect next week to see many quail poults.
Bad news, the early spring has allowed the Wheat Crop to be harvested much earlier than in previous years. Farmers are starting to combine crops right now.
You know I've been giving this very subject a lot of thought lately. For one, isn't the biological clock mostly daylight driven? Will warm weather early on speed up the breeding process? Two. Around here the hay season is really starting to ramp up and it usually is Mem. day weekend roughly when it normally is in high gear so it to is about 3 weeks early. With a lot of the mowing machines already in the fields, will they be done before the quail are trying to nest? I'm still hearing a lot of males whistleing. Are these males that are "cruising for chicks" or something else? I think that things are lining up for a good two-hatch season. Whatta ya think?
OKIEGunner
New member
Jaytee,
What I do know is that Turkey nesting was a few weeks early this year. I saw hens on eggs early this year and have since seen some of the earliest poults on the ground. The Quail have been vocal now for over 3 weeks. The pairs saw, I have seen multiple times now.
Every evening I sit out on the porch and listen to all the calls. Bad news, I was calling back on evening about an hour before dark and watched a male fly across the county road closer too my location. The next morning while going to work I found a male next to the road that was apparently hit by a passing car or truck.
We have good weeds, and bugs with good moisture, we’ve had timely rains the past 45 days and good temperatures. Lets hope we continue to have more of the same and we should have a great comeback for once. :10sign:
What I do know is that Turkey nesting was a few weeks early this year. I saw hens on eggs early this year and have since seen some of the earliest poults on the ground. The Quail have been vocal now for over 3 weeks. The pairs saw, I have seen multiple times now.
Every evening I sit out on the porch and listen to all the calls. Bad news, I was calling back on evening about an hour before dark and watched a male fly across the county road closer too my location. The next morning while going to work I found a male next to the road that was apparently hit by a passing car or truck.
We have good weeds, and bugs with good moisture, we’ve had timely rains the past 45 days and good temperatures. Lets hope we continue to have more of the same and we should have a great comeback for once. :10sign: