Globally, there exist 130 diverse species of Quail. This article will focus specifically on the domesticated varieties that are most frequently raised. Despite the differences among these species, they exhibit numerous shared traits. When cared for correctly, most Quails are quite friendly. They have been valued for their beautiful songs and calls throughout history, with several species named after their vocalizations. Males possess a unique voice and look, while females have a comparable appearance but in lighter tones.
After you’ve made the choice to raise Quail, the next step is selecting the specific species you want. Various considerations may influence your decision based on your reasons for keeping them. Each species boasts its unique charm and traits, but their care requirements can vary significantly. Some are more suited for meat or egg production, while others are prized for their vocalizations or striking feather patterns. Let’s explore the different species before diving into how to choose the right one for you!
Japanese Quail
Brief History:
Japanese Quail are migratory species that travel between Asia and Europe, with their origins traced back to Southeast Asia. Historical texts, including the Bible, mention Quail, and the ancient Egyptians domesticated these birds for their meat and eggs. In the late 11th century, they were introduced to Japan from China. It is said that a Japanese Emperor was cured of tuberculosis by consuming Quail meat. These birds are more commonly known as Coturnix Quail, named for the distinctive crowing sound made by males, pronounced ko-turn-eex.
Coturnix Quail
Description:
Japanese Quail, often referred to as Coturnix Quail, Pharaoh Quail, or Jumbo Coturnix Quail, exhibit a size difference between genders. Female adults typically surpass males in size, weighing between 120 and 160 grams (approximately 4.5 to 6 ounces). In contrast, males tend to be smaller, averaging around 100 to 140 grams (4 to 5 ounces). Through selective breeding techniques, it’s possible to produce larger specimens. Certain color variations of Coturnix can be identified by sex as early as 3 to 4 weeks old by examining their feather patterns: males display a rusty orange coloration on their breast and throat, while females have a whitish breast adorned with speckles. These quails usually reach sexual maturity between the ages of 7 and 9 weeks. Their lifespan averages between 2 and 5 years, influenced by their overall health and living conditions.
Coturnix quail come in a wide array of types, each showcasing a variety of colors and mutations that make them particularly interesting.
- Jumbo Coturnix: These are simply larger versions of the standard Coturnix, selectively bred for size and primarily raised for meat. They can reach weights close to 16 ounces.
- Texas A&M: This strain was developed at Texas A&M University by faculty members aiming to create a robust Coturnix variant, typically weighing between 10 to 13 ounces. They are characterized by their white meat and pristine white feathers.
- English White: Although smaller than the Texas A&M variety, this bird shares genetic traits with it. English Whites can be found in solid white or with brown spots on their heads and backs, featuring pure white meat.
- Golden Coturnix: Also referred to as Manchurian or Golden Speckled, these birds are available in both standard and jumbo sizes.
- Tibetan: Known for their dark chocolate hue, Tibetan quails inherit two copies of the extended brown gene.
- Tuxedo: This term refers to a specific color pattern rather than an actual color itself. It originated from breeding between Texas A&M and Tibetan varieties, resulting in Tuxedos that can now exhibit nearly all colors present in Coturnix quail.
- Rosetta: This coloration emerges from one copy of the extended brown gene, producing a lighter shade compared to Tibetan quails. If two Rosetta birds are bred together, the offspring will consist of approximately 50% Rosetta chicks, along with 25% Tibetan and 25% Pharaoh colored chicks.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of raising Coturnix Quail is the ability to crossbreed different colors, resulting in a variety of unique patterns within your flock. This species is particularly well-suited for beginners. If you’re new to quail-keeping, Coturnix is the ideal choice. They are manageable and require less space per bird compared to many other quail types. Additionally, they tend to be less aggressive and reach maturity at a quicker rate. In just 6 or 7 weeks, they can be ready for consumption, and by 9 weeks, they start breeding and laying eggs. This rapid growth makes them an excellent option if you’re raising them for meat. For those interested in keeping them as pets, Coturnix Quail are also more gentle and can develop affectionate behaviors when handled from a young age—unlike other quail species that may be more skittish. Having been domesticated for thousands of years, they are accustomed to human interaction and exhibit a calm demeanor.
For optimal breeding, it’s recommended to maintain a ratio of one rooster for every five to seven hens when raising Coturnix quails. Exceeding this number of hens may lead to decreased fertility, while having too few can result in the rooster over-mating the hens. If your primary goal is egg production, it’s advisable to forgo having a rooster altogether. Hens tend to thrive without the presence of a rooster and may even increase their egg-laying frequency in such an environment. This allows you the flexibility to house as many hens as desired, provided you adhere to the appropriate space requirements per bird.
Caring for Coturnix quail isn’t overly complicated, and I plan to explore their housing needs in more detail in a future article. That said, I want to mention that while some believe that providing just 1 square foot per bird is sufficient, I respectfully disagree. I advocate for offering at least 2 square feet per bird to minimize aggression and promote better health. Coturnix quail occupy less space compared to other quail varieties, making them an excellent choice for beginners. I highly recommend these birds for anyone just starting out, especially since they don’t require a license to keep in the United States.
Button Quail
Brief History:
The Chinese Blue Breasted Quail, often referred to as King Quail, Painted Quail, or Button Quail, is an intriguing little bird that has captured human interest for centuries. Historically in China, these birds were kept in small enclosures and were thought to bring good luck to their caretakers. Their name likely stems from the fact that their chicks are as small as a button. However, over time, the term Button Quail has been appropriated from another species; the authentic Button Quail is not actually a quail at all. While these so-called true quails may have a similar appearance to actual quails, they do not belong to the Phasianidae family like the birds we are currently discussing.
Description:
These diminutive birds weigh approximately 1.4 ounces and come in a stunning variety of colors and patterns, including Normal Wild, White, Red Breasted, Blue Faced, Cinnamon, Tuxedo Pied, Splash Pied, among others. Since they originate from warm environments in the wild, it is essential to keep these little creatures indoors at all times. They can thrive in cages or aquariums and even in indoor aviaries. Button Quail serve as small, tidy pets that are relatively quiet and simple to care for and breed. In captivity, they typically live between 3 to 5 years; however, hens may have a shorter lifespan due to the demands of egg production and calcium depletion. It’s important to house them in pairs only.
Determining the sex of certain birds can be challenging due to variations in color, and often it may be necessary to watch their mating behaviors for clues. Males of specific mutations typically exhibit a distinctive white line or bib on their throat. For example, Red Breasted males display a narrow white line as their bib. However, with the introduction of new mutations in breeding, some of these identifying markings may be disappearing from the gene pool. Another way to differentiate males is by observing feather colors; males will show red or blue feathers, while females do not display these hues. The blue coloration is exclusive to males found in Blue Faced, Red Breasted, and Wild varieties. The red seen on male birds is a rich brick red that should not be mistaken for Cinnamon shades and is particularly noticeable around the vent area. If you observe red feathers there, you can confidently identify it as a male. Vent coloration is a reliable method for sexing these birds and is quite straightforward.
Button quail reach sexual maturity and begin laying eggs at around 8 to 12 weeks of age. Providing at least 4 square feet of space for a pair will ensure their happiness. These birds are not suited for handling or cuddling, as it can cause them significant stress; they are best appreciated from a distance. Occasionally, some may enjoy having their throats gently scratched, but generally, it’s advisable to avoid physical interaction. Nevertheless, their striking appearance and charming personalities make them a delightful addition to your home, adding vibrant colors and character! In the United States, no special license is required to keep these birds.
Bobwhite Quail
Brief History:
The Bobwhite Quail is indigenous to a large portion of the continental United States and belongs to the New World Quail family. There are 20 different subspecies of Bobwhites that can be found across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Their distinctive name comes from the male’s characteristic call as he seeks a partner: Bob, BOB, WHITE! As their populations grew near agricultural areas, Native Americans began to hunt Bobwhites for food. The first documented instance of white settlers consuming Bobwhites dates back to 1557 when Hernando DeSoto’s expedition was reportedly given Turkeys and Bobwhite Quail by a Native American community in Georgia.
In the 1800s, pursuing this game bird was a widespread activity, eventually evolving into a favored leisure pursuit among gentlemen. Unfortunately, the wild populations of these birds have faced significant declines over the last hundred years, primarily due to habitat destruction and modern agricultural methods. In certain regions of the U.S., Bobwhite quail have vanished entirely, and one subspecies has already gone extinct.
Description:
Many variations and mutations of Bobwhites are frequently raised in captivity, such as the Northern Bobwhite, Butler Bobwhite, Snowflake Bobwhite, Georgia Giant Bobwhite, and Tennessee Red Bobwhite. Typically, a Northern Bobwhite weighs around 170 grams (6.0 ounces). When selectively bred for size, Butlers can reach nearly 16 ounces, although the average male tends to be closer to 12 ounces. Georgia Giants can be up to three times heavier than a Northern. The Tennessee and Snowflake varieties fall in between the sizes of Northerns and Butlers. Notably, all these birds do not migrate.
While Bobwhites can exhibit aggressive behavior, among the varieties I’ve mentioned, the Snowflakes tend to be the least confrontational if you select high-quality stock. Conversely, Tennessee Bobwhites are known for their higher aggression levels. This tendency towards aggression in Bobwhites stems from their relatively recent domestication compared to Old World quail like the Japanese Quail and Button Quail, which have been bred in captivity for millennia. In contrast, New World quail such as Bobwhites have only been kept by humans for about 25 years. As a result, they haven’t fully adjusted to living in close quarters with one another or coexisting alongside humans. This lack of adaptation makes them easily startled and prone to stress, which can lead to aggressive interactions among themselves.
They are not fond of having their liberty taken away. (However, if you start training them when they are young, you can make them more manageable.) Bobwhites and all the quail species from the Americas tend to flush at the slightest disturbance, become frightened quickly, and require careful handling to protect themselves from one another and prevent self-injury due to their panic.
By the time they reach 12 weeks, you can generally determine the sex of most species, but Tennessee Reds can be somewhat challenging. Often, observing their mating behavior is necessary to identify them accurately. For the other species, you can distinguish between males and females based on feather coloration: males sport black masks and exhibit more black on their heads and faces, while females display a buff brownish hue on theirs. Notably, snowflake females have a greyish face instead of the dark black masks seen in males.
Bobwhites reach sexual maturity at approximately six months old, but typically delay mating and egg-laying until the following spring after they are hatched. They achieve full maturity by their first year. These birds have a specific breeding season, laying eggs from April to September. While it is possible to induce laying outside of this period, doing so may reduce their lifespan and cause stress on their bodies, which are not built for year-round egg production.
Bobwhites should always be housed in pairs and never in groups of three or mixed breeding pairs, as they exhibit aggressive behavior that can lead to fatal confrontations. However, once the breeding season concludes, you can mix these birds. In their natural habitat, Bobwhites form large winter flocks known as coveys, which can consist of hundreds of birds during the fall. They enjoy this communal living through the colder months but will separate come springtime to establish their own territories for nesting. Your Bobwhites will also have a tendency to congregate during this time; friendships are rekindled, past conflicts are forgotten, and they thrive in their larger social setting. As spring approaches, it’s essential to separate your pairs again. You may keep first-year Bobwhites together until the next spring arrives.
Bobwhites are known to occasionally form lifelong pair bonds, with the female taking the lead in mate selection. Therefore, it’s important to monitor the pairings when you separate them each spring, as they can react negatively to being apart from their partners. If you have a large number of birds and can’t easily identify them, using leg bands is an effective solution. Bobwhites are energetic and require a minimum of 4 square feet of space per adult bird; if they feel confined, they may become aggressive towards their mates. For younger birds under one year old, 2 square feet per bird is sufficient, but keep in mind that aggression tends to increase as they age. If your intention is solely to raise them for egg production, females can be housed together year-round at 4 square feet each.
It is possible to house male birds together under certain conditions. As long as they are unable to see one another, keeping all males or all females can be effective throughout the year. Bobwhites should generally be left undisturbed and only handled when necessary for health reasons. They can become extremely stressed, leading to potential injuries or even death due to shock if handled improperly. However, if you raise them from chicks and interact with them frequently during their early stages, they will become more accustomed to being handled as adults. While they may still resist being picked up, the risk of injury or fatality in your care diminishes significantly. Typically, these birds live between 2 and 5 years, although it’s not uncommon for a Bobwhite to reach 7 years of age.
While Bobwhite quail are not as frequently raised for meat as Coturnix quail, they do reach a suitable size for cooking by 14 to 16 weeks. Some enthusiasts argue that the flavor of Bobwhite meat is superior to that of other quail species. However, due to their later maturation, Coturnix quail are typically more popular for meat production. I wouldn’t suggest this species for novice quail enthusiasts, but if you’re determined to keep a New World species, Bobwhites would be a better choice compared to others in that category. They are relatively easier to manage among the New World varieties. Remember that you will need a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Service in order to keep these birds.
Gambel’s Quail
Brief History:
The Gambel’s Quail is a stationary bird found in the arid landscapes of the Desert Southwest. Its range includes areas in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Utah, and certain sections of Northern Mexico. The species is named after William Gambel, a naturalist and explorer from the 1800s who tragically lost his life during a difficult winter journey across the Sierra Nevada.
Description:
These charming little birds are easily identifiable by the feather tufts or crests atop their heads and the scaly feathers on their bellies. While they resemble California Quail in both appearance and behavior, their habitats do not intersect (thus, this segment about Gambels also relates to California Quail). You can often spot these plump birds darting from one patch of underbrush to another in neat lines, their crests bouncing with each movement! It was these quails that motivated me to begin raising them. Their calls are simply delightful!
These birds are not suitable for novice keepers, and I advise against choosing this species if you have no prior experience with Quail. Since they have only recently become popular in captivity, they tend to be extremely skittish and easily startled. For this reason, I suggest housing them in aviaries; they can easily injure themselves by flying into the tops of cages. Handling them causes significant stress, so it’s best avoided. However, for those who are seasoned Quail enthusiasts, these little creatures can be a joy to care for! Their care is similar to that of Bobwhites, so please refer to the article above regarding Bobwhites for more information.
Around the age of 12 weeks, distinguishing between male and female Gambel’s quail becomes straightforward. Males are identifiable by their distinctive black facial mask, white stripes above it, and rust-colored head, while females display a more muted buff-brown face. These birds typically live for about 2 to 5 years. They reach sexual maturity at approximately 6 months but usually delay mating and egg-laying until the next spring. Similar to Bobwhites, Gambel’s quail form lifelong pair bonds and should only be housed in pairs. Each adult bird requires around 4 square feet of space; they can also be kept together until they are one year old. During winter, they can be grouped into coveys but should be separated again in spring. If you are raising them solely for eggs, females can remain together year-round with the same space requirement per bird. Males can also be housed together under these conditions as long as they cannot see each other throughout the year. Generally regarded as ornamental rather than a source of meat, owning these birds requires a license from the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Mountain Quail
Brief History:
The Mountain Quail holds the title of the largest native quail species in the United States, with a weight range of 189 to 262 grams (6.7 to 9.2 ounces). This species predates the Bobwhite quail and is predominantly found in the mountainous regions of California and Oregon, as well as parts of Nevada, and includes a subspecies located in northern Baja California’s mountains. There are five recognized subspecies of Mountain Quail, which can thrive at elevations reaching up to 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). While they do not migrate, some individuals may adjust their altitude based on seasonal conditions.
Description:
Mountain Quail are easily recognized by the long, slender plume or topknot that adorns their heads. This species is not advisable for novice quail enthusiasts. They can be quite challenging to keep alive, especially in their early stages of life. The chicks often struggle to start eating on their own since, in nature, the parents assist them with feeding for a while. Therefore, you will need to invest considerable effort into getting them to eat after they hatch; they are notoriously slow learners when it comes to feeding. However, for seasoned quail caretakers, these birds are undoubtedly the most beautiful and fascinating among quail species! To tame them as adults, they require extensive handling during their chick stage; even then, they tend to be extremely timid. As adults, they are particularly vulnerable to diseases due to their lack of immunity compared to other domesticated quails that have been exposed to various conditions.
Determining the sex of these birds can be challenging, but with careful observation, you can often reach a definitive answer. Female birds tend to have a plume that is slightly shorter and exhibits a browner hue compared to their male counterparts. Males display brighter colors on their undersides, and the grey on their hind necks is more pronounced than in females. In females, the brown coloration on their backs continues up to the top of their heads, while males feature a greyish-blue neck. The color of the neck is likely the most dependable trait for differentiating between sexes.
These birds are cultivated in a manner similar to Bobwhite and Gambel’s Quail, reaching maturity within the same timeframe. They should be housed exclusively in pairs and require an area of 4 square feet per adult bird. Notably, these birds form lifelong mating bonds. During the fall and winter months, they can coexist with Bobwhites and Gambels, but it’s essential to separate them into their respective pairs come springtime. While Bobwhite and Gambel’s hens or roosters can live together throughout the year, Mountain Quail can also share space under similar conditions. These birds are primarily valued for their aesthetic appeal rather than for meat production. To keep these birds legally, you must obtain a license from the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Montezuma Quail & Blue Scale Quail
Acquiring either of these quail species can prove quite challenging, leading to their rarity among enthusiasts. They are native to the arid southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. These birds are notoriously elusive in both their nesting and behavioral patterns, leaving much about them still a mystery. In my region of New Mexico, I’ve only spotted these quail a handful of times over the last two decades due to their remarkable ability to remain concealed from people. They typically refrain from breeding during dry summer months but can successfully raise multiple broods in wetter years. In the wild, their lifespan ranges from 8 months to 2 years. Similar to other New World quail, they form lifelong pair bonds and gather into flocks during winter months. Their care is comparable to that of Bobwhite, Gambel’s, and Mountain Quail. To keep this bird legally, you must obtain a license from the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Picking The Right Species For You
The quail species I’ve just mentioned are among the most frequently kept in captivity. They can be a delightful addition to your poultry collection. With the right care, they can live for many years, providing you with nutritious meat, eggs, or simply enjoyment! If you’re in search of a vibrant and entertaining pet, consider the Button Quail. For those wanting a meat bird that is simple to raise and grows quickly, the Japanese or Coturnix Quail is an excellent choice. If your goal is to enjoy fresh eggs, then the Coturnix or Bobwhite quail would suit you well. For those drawn to more exotic quail due to their beauty and unique calls, look no further than the Bobwhite, Gambel’s, or Mountain Quail.
If you’ve already taken care of various quail species and are seeking something a little more captivating, consider acquiring some Montezuma hatching eggs. The stunning appearance of these birds is truly remarkable; you won’t be able to look away! Regardless of which species you choose to keep, relish your time with quail! Their vibrant patterns, unique calls, and the amusing way they chirp for their companions when food is present will keep you engaged. With a bit of effort on your part, they may even eat from your hand, rush over when they see you with treats, and provide years of entertainment.