Coturnix Quail Color Question

Orange Ribbon · Nov 2, 2011

I've been reading all I can on the forum here, and boy there is lots of good stuff. I'm hoping to get some coturnix in the near future. Just out of curiosity, how many of you who have different colors of cots breed only the same colors together, and how many of you just let them mix and be surprised at the colors when they hatch? I know that breeding two separate kinds (can't recall which now) can make, say, a Tuxedo, but does every color that shows up have a specific name? Do you sometimes get some unique colors? Maybe that has been covered somewhere, and I might even read it and forgot. Keep in mind, I'm president of the Old Fart's Club and it is usually those with the worst minds that get that position.

bfrancis · Nov 2, 2011

We have just started recently to separate by color...these are pics of cots at about the 6 week mark, that came from a "mixed" color pen.

There are close to 60 in this grow out pen (obviously not all in this pic)...but there is definite color variation...

I think if you're just growing them for freezer camp or your own fun...having a mixed color colony isn't a bad thing. We decided to separate color because people were starting to ask for specific colors with shipping eggs...although, even separating, there is never a 100% of that being a specific color. Darn Punnett's square and recessive genomes

Like the Tuxedos you mentioned, the base color can be anything, but lets say its Tibetan. The other parent would be an English white....BAM you've got a Tux. But you breed a male and female Tux's from that same color group...50% would be Tux, 25% would be White, and 25% would be Tibetan.

Hope this helps.

Good luck with your choices!

Orange Ribbon · Nov 2, 2011

Thanks Bfrancis. Yeah, that helped. I didn't realize tuxedos could have more than one base color, so that is cool to know. And that you can breed to get the different percentages of colors is neat too. I don't really mind what colors I get to start off with, they all look great to me. Getting several colors to start of with would be great if I can when the time comes. I need to get rid of a few extra chickens first. I got waaaay too many. They are laying hens so it shouldn't be too hard to sell them. Then I'll find somebody who has a few for sale.

chrishel · Nov 2, 2011

I have a mixed pen and I like having all the different colors. It makes hatching and growing them out more fun. You never know what color is going to pop out of the next egg. Then it's fun to try to predict what color each chick will grow into. For me, it's also fun to try to puzzle out who's the parent for each (I have 4 hens and 2 roos as the original breeders).

The only unfortunate part, is when it comes to eating time, even though every one of my chicks is named "dinner", I can tell them apart more or less by their color and tux pattern (some have a little white, some have a lot of white). That makes it a little sad. But like a true hatchaholic, clearing out the pen makes more room to hatch more chicks.

Stellar · Nov 2, 2011

I am a purist so I have each color in separate pens and projects in their pens. As bfrancis states,other colors may pop up even in same color pens.

It's also with the reds. Those don't breed true. You will get some white on some, scarlets (Rosetta with roux dilution), red range (tibetan with roux dilution) and roux dilute (pharaoh with the roux dilution).

Mix the roux dilution gene to yellow and fawn (Italian/manchurian) you get autumn amber coturnix

Colors are fun but can be tricky. Beautiful to look at.

Sorry I got excited

but if interested I can talk colors more

bfrancis · Nov 2, 2011

Quote:
I'm always game for more talk on quail colors! I have become a purist, with separating out our colors, and our project pens too. But what I seperate is still like a box of chocolates come hatch time....pesky recessive genes

mhwc56 · Nov 2, 2011

Quote:
Quaillady can Indeed "talk colors more"and she's extremely good at it ! LOL
she has been a godsend for many of us when it comes to genetics and mutations!

Orange Ribbon · Nov 2, 2011

Hey, I'm plumb tickled to death to hear all anyone wants to tell about quail colors or anything else!

I think it is really interesting, and I sure do appreciate you all replying to me. Gee, on some of those chicken threads I'm treated like I don't even exist, so this is a real treat for me.

But it is really nice when people are excited about what they do and share it.

Now, I won't have any problems with processing and eating quail, but where I do see a problem is trying to decide which colors look the best to keep. Or rather, which color looks the "worst" so I can eat it!

rittert3 · Nov 3, 2011

Punnet Squares were one of my favorite subjects in school, bring on some more facts Alex. I like to toy with genetics so, I'm not a purist, but I value purists as a source of genetics to toy with!

Eyeheartquail · Nov 3, 2011

Quaillady, could you please post a picture of a autumn amber coturnix? I have not seen this color yet. ooooh how exciting!

Coturnix Quail Color Question

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Orange Ribbon

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bfrancis

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Orange Ribbon

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chrishel

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Stellar

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bfrancis

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mhwc56

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Orange Ribbon

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rittert3

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Eyeheartquail

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