I decided to add another Phantom Quail Kennel to my training grounds and needed some new birds so I headed to DeLeon, Texas to meet up with Kent Matherne of Fly Bye Birdie Quail Farm.  I met Kent several years ago looking for flight conditioned quail on the internet.  I purchased 50 birds to stock a Phantom Quail Kennel and was very impressed with the flight and weather condition of his birds.  I bought them in late September and had over half of them left in March after lots of flushing, training, shooting a few for young dogs, hawks, and the spring pair off.

I often hear people complain about the high price of pen reared quail.  Usually, it is up to and sometimes over $5 per bird.  I can relate, having just invested $250 in quail for training my dogs.  Looking back on the situation I was quite pleased and will gladly do business with Kent in the future.  I got several young puppies pointing, holding, backing, retrieving, and had regular opportunity for these young dogs for around six months.  Take that same $250 to a dog trainer and it will get you about two weeks of their time.  That being said this investment is a good foundation if you are planning on sending your dog in for training.  The professional trainer will appreciate the exposure to birds that your young prospect is getting.  However, if you buy an inferior bird that does not flush for a dog and is not flight conditioned your money is wasted. 

As with many things it usually pays to invest in quality for the long term.  I sat down to breakfast with Kent and asked him a few questions and this is what he had to say.

WLJ-What is the most important factor in raising a quality bird that is flight and weather conditioned ready for bird dog training or hunts?

KM-ISOLATION RAISING!!!  ISOLATION RAISING!!!  ISOLATION RAISING!!!

WLJ-Where do you acquire your foundation birds?

KM-I purchase day old chicks from Stan Wheeler Hatchery in Spring, TX.

WLJ-How many birds do you raise in a 1 year period?

KM-I purchase 5000 birds every seven weeks until my total is 20,000 starting in Mid-June.  The average death loss is around 12-15%.

WLJ-When are the birds available to the public?

KM-Normally mid September to mid March.  I suggest that you contact me in advance and reserve birds.  In Texas the deer season ends in January and there is a big demand at that time until the end of the season.

WLJ-Do your customers contract birds, or are they available at all times?

KM-I have a 50% mix of contracted and for sale birds.

WLJ-What is the distribution of your customers?

KM-99% are within the state of Texas.  I have shipped to other locations, but I am not in favor of doing this.

WLJ-Can you ship these quality birds and what are the terms?

KM-I am really not in favor of shipping birds.  I have done so in the past, but there are so many factors that are beyond my control and can cause stress or even death.  I offer a delivery service through a local courier and it is the most reliable way of getting healthy quail and is normally less expensive than shipping. 

WLJ-If I keep these birds for six months and use them for training, what precautions should I take to maintain a healthy covey of birds?

KM-Isolation when not being used for training, clean water, and a quality 24% gamebird flight conditioner feed.

 

If you would like to try some good, quality, flight and weather conditioned bobwhite quail give Kent Matherne of Fly Bye Birdie a try.  I think you’ll be happy with the results.  He can be reached here:

Toll Free-800-644-4103

Local-254-893-3558

Cell-254-734-6653

Website – www.flybyebirdie.com

E-Mail – getquails@flybyebirdie.com