Wm. Giuliano et al., A SIMULATED INSECT DIET AS A WATER SOURCE FOR QUAIL - EFFECTS ON BODY-MASS AND REPRODUCTION, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology, 111(2), 1995, pp. 299-302
Compared with control birds receiving ad libitum free-water, the total
water intake of male and female northern bobwhite declined when only
mealworms were available as a source of water. Male northern bobwhite
sustained tissue mass and reproductive function with mealworms as thei
r only source of water. Female northern bobwhite could not sustain bod
y, ovary, and oviduct mass, and rate of egg production with mealworms
as their only source of water. We suggest that, without free-water, br
eeding females require a diet with a water:dry matter ratio of greater
than 1:1.29 (>44% water).