Complete Blood Cell Count and White Blood Cell Counting Method Comparison in 49-day-old Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

The northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is a game bird experiencing decline throughout much of its range. There are limited species-specific and age-specific hematologic data for bobwhite quail. Complete blood cell counts in eighteen 49-day-old captive-raised quail of unverified sex were used to contribute data to reference intervals for the species as juvenile animals. Values for packed cell volumes, total solids, red and white blood cell counts, and white cell differential calculations were recorded for each animal. Bobwhite quail of this age were found to be primarily lymphocytic, but considerable variability was observed. White blood cell counts were obtained by estimates from blood smears and Phloxine B stain. White blood cell counts performed with ×1000 magnification did not compare well with other white blood cell methods, including Phloxine B stain.