A SIMULATED INSECT DIET AS A WATER SOURCE FOR QUAIL - EFFECTS ON BODY-MASS AND REPRODUCTION

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).