another "which one" question

[ChickenChaps]

I been reading and learning for a while now. I am ready for some hatching eggs.

I want quail that will
- grow decent size in a reasonable amount of time, for eating.
- lay lots of eggs for a long season (I'm in Florida)
- not be horribly aggressive so I dont have to deal with blood baths
- be acceptable for sale to hunting preserves

Probably no such single breed fits all this, right? So, which breed comes closest to fitting each desire?

I thought I had decided on jumbo coturnix. But I have learned they do not fly and wouldnt be good for hunting. True?
Actually, all coturnix will not be good flyers for hunting?
Bobwhites will grow bigger, but not as fast, not as many eggs, and are aggressive. ?

So Im learning that I need to decide if I want meat and egg quail, or hunting quail - is this true?


What Id really love is a source that compares all the different types of quails?

For each type, bobwhite, coturnix, even a break down for the sub-types/colors if their traits are different, and chukar and pheasants.

Age of maturity –
Age begin laying eggs
Age to eating size

Temperament
Easy keepers
Fight or aggressive nature
Fly, good for hunting

Please help me! lol Im going in circles.

 

[HEChicken]

I've been researching quail also and will be interested to hear the answers to this - great questions!

 

[Stellar]

Coturnix, coturnix, coturnix

let me get to the computer so I can answer (on my phone)

 

[Robo]

Coturnix-

Pros- Fast maturing, lays year round with lighting, very efficient, not very aggressive, fairly large
Cons- Can't fly well

Bobwhite-

Pros- Flies very well, better meat, a little larger

Cons- inefficient, aggressive, slow maturing

 

[JJMR794]

grow decent size in a reasonable amount of time, for eating.
- lay lots of eggs for a long season (I'm in Florida)
- not be horribly aggressive so I dont have to deal with blood baths
- be acceptable for sale to hunting preserves

SADLY THIS COMBINATION FOR FLORIDA DOES NOT EXIST. COTURNIX ARE THE PRODUCTION BIRDS WHILE THEY ARE THE ROACHES OF THE QUAIL WORLD AND VERY PROLIFIC AND QUITE FAST IN EVERYTHING THEY DO AS FAR AS LIFE CYCLE. FOR THE HUNTING END OF IT THINGS GET TRICKY--- COTURNIX CANNOT BE RELEASED IN FLORIDA- IT IS ILLEGAL, AFTER THE GREAT SNAKE ROUND UP 2 YRS AGO THE ENFORCEMENT OF POLICIES ON RELEASE OF NON NATIVE WILDLIFE HAVE BEEN ENFORCED WITH EXCEPTIONAL GUSTO. SO FOR YOUR RELEASE IDEA YOU MUST GO WITH BOBS WHICH ARE AGRESSIVE AND DIFFICULT UNTIL YOU GET USED TO THEM AND GET YOUR SET UP FINE TUNED. AS WELL AS PAINSTAKINGLY SLOW IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE AS COMPARED TO COTURNIX. HUNTING PRESERVE BIRDS MUST ALSO BE RAISED IN A SPECIALTY MANNER

ALSO NO SELF RESPECTING OR SUCCESSFUL GAME PRESERVE WOULD EVEN CONSIDER BUYING COTURNIX-- THEY SUCK FOR A HUNTING SPECES AND HUNTERS WANT THE REAL THING= BOB WHITES​

 

[JJMR794]

Furthermore Floridas Laws Prohibit The Release Of Any Non Native Speces... So Bobs Would Be Your Only Choice If A Large Focus Of Your Business Model Includes Sale For Hunting Uses, As Bob White Are The Only Native Speces Here.

Your Assessment Of Meat And Production Vs Hunting Is Fairly Accurate In Our State, This May Vary In Other States.

 

[ChickenChaps]

Excellent info! Thank you!

So I guess that counts me out of raising a hunting species, and solves the problem of aggression. No bobs.

Ok, I think Im gonna keep looking for jumbo coturnix.

They fit the rest of my desires perfectly.

Thank you!

 

[Robo]

Coturnix is the way to go for efficiency. I would keep all bobwhites if they matured like coturnix do, but sadly they don't.

 

[JJMR794]

COTURNIX BOB WHITE

Age of maturity – 8 TO 12 WKS 24WKS TO UPWARDS OF 1 YR DEPENDANT ON STRAIN
Age begin laying eggs 6 WKS OR OLDER IN MOST CASES THE 1ST SPRING AFTER MATURITY
Age to eating size 8 TO 12 WKS 28+ WKS

Temperament NO MUSS NO FUSS SOMEDAYS THE BIRDS DONT EVEN LIKE THEMSELVES- THE JUNKYARD DOGS OF QUAIL
Easy keepers NO WORRIES GOD NO!
Fight or aggressive nature OCCAISONAL SQUABBLES EVERY DAY THE ATTITUDE IS "BRING IT! I WANNA WHOOP SOMETHING ANYWAYS"
Fly, good for hunting LIKE A FEATHERED ROCK YOU BETCHA!

PRODUCTION RATES 300 EGGS/ YR / HEN * 60-75 EGGS/YR/HEN *

* UNDER IDEAL CARE AND CIRCUMSTANCES

NOTE THESE ARE APPROXIMATIONS DUE TO THE MANY STRAINS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED IN BOTH SPECES... IE, A&M'S/ NORTHERN JUMBOS/ GEORGIA GIANTS/ ETC...

 

[RiverOtter]

JJM, in case I haven't mentioned it, I love reading your posts.