Processing, Parts, and Boning Yields of Bobwhite Quail (Colinus Virginanus) as Affected by Age and Sex

Bobwhite quail separated by sex were raised on standard diets for 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks and dressed to obtain head, feet, neck, viscera, blood and feather, and carcass weights. Carcasses were cut into breast, leg, and wing portions, then hand‐separated into skin, meat, and frame parts. Regardless of sex, carcass yield increased as the age advanced. No apparent difference in dressing percentages was observed between males and females under 12 weeks of age; however, as age increased beyond this point, the yield of males was higher than that of females. Increased dressing yield and decreased viscera content correlated with age. Age and sex had no apparent effect on the percentages of head, neck, and feet. The breast portion increased as the birds aged, with males being significantly higher. For 16 week males, breast portions constituted about half of the carcass weight.