By Tanner Hood

Hidden away down Blount County backroads, seemingly endless rows of poultry houses pop into view upon arrival at Tuck Farms in the Susan Moore community. 

The houses are the only real similarity between chickens and the quail that are actually raised on this farm, said owner John Tuck. 

“We are a totally integrated bobwhite quail operation,” Tuck said. “We have roosters and hens, fertile eggs and incubators to raise our own chicks. We raise most of our chicks to maturity and sell them for hunting while also buying our own feed, handling transportation and even selling off the fertilizer.” 

Starting Point 

Tuck’s eye-opening operation almost never came to be. 

“I had no dreams of being in agriculture,” Tuck said. “I never knew what I wanted to do, but I knew it was not farming.”

Tuck left north Alabama to study communications at Auburn University. During school, he came home to work on his uncle’s quail farm. 

Eleven years and worlds of experience later, Tuck bought the farm in 2019. 

Flock Formation

At Tuck Farms, raising game birds starts with egg production. 

“Last year, we hatched just over 1.4 million chicks,” he said. “At peak, we can collect about 15,000 eggs a day and hatch up to 70,000 chicks weekly from early summer to mid-October.”

Tuck’s expansive operation includes selling eggs and chicks to customers while also raising around 460,000 chicks on the farm in retrofitted broiler houses. He plans to bring in 55,000 ring-necked pheasant chicks to raise this year. 

Quail clientele range from hunting lodges to outdoorsmen across the South and Midwest. Tuck said the quail industry relies on word-of-mouth marketing, which means producing a good bird that stands out to hunters. 

“We’re raising birds that we want to be healthy and flighty,” Tuck said. “If we’re around our birds too much, they won’t fear people and fly. They won’t perform in the field.” 

Tuck said part of that process includes weathering the birds to stimulate preening — a natural grooming behavior that waterproofs feathers and protects fowl from the elements. 

“If a bird doesn’t preen and it’s turned out on a wet day, it won’t be able to fly because it soaks up all the water like a sponge,” Tuck said. “Our main job is producing strong and healthy birds that will fly.” 

Preserving Tradition

As Tuck continues to develop top birds, he is also extending his passion for the hunt. 

In April 2024, Tuck purchased his grandfather Calvin Coolidge “C.C.” Tuck’s farm down the road from the quail operation. Following continued cleaning and clearing, The Preserve at Tuck Farms has taken shape. 

“He was a hero of mine, so being able to rebuild it and put it back in order has been great,” Tuck said. “We’re trying to get the fields back in check and get rid of invasive species to reestablish native grasses and habitats that support quail. This is a 10-year plan we ultimately hope will allow us to turn out birds and have such a good habitat to hold some wild coveys.”

Tuck describes The Preserve as “no-frills, no-five-star lunches or lodges, fun hunting experience for anyone who wants to get out and chase birds, practice their skills or just have a good time.”

“We want customers to bust a wild covey and experience something that reminds you of what the old-timers talk about — something we don’t have anymore,” Tuck said.

Limiting Factors

While Tuck continues growing his business, he admits the industry is flush with challenges.

“Right now, the gamebird industry is specifically excluded from federal disaster relief, and we’re working to change that,” Tuck said, noting key issues like avian influenza (AI) and labor. 

Organizations such as the North American Gamebird Association helped secure indemnity pay when AI impacted flocks, but farmers are still at risk. That’s one reason Tuck said he joined the Blount County Farmers Federation last year.  

“I’m learning the bigger our business gets and the further it stretches, one decision at the government level could absolutely crush us,” Tuck said. “I’ve learned it’s important to be a little more involved politically and share my opinion as a gamebird farmer.” 

Gauging Success

As Tuck continues to grow his farm, he and wife Laura are also growing their family. Their son, Judah Calvin, is due this fall. 

“One day, I want to be able to show my kids the hard work we put into this place and pass it to the next generation,” he said.