Bobwhite Quail can make excellent house pets.

[WoDia]

I bought year old quail (2 male and 6 female) last October. I want them to lay and incubate their own eggs and babies. I read Robert, the Quail and instantly fell in love. I love I can't coax these grown ones into liking me but I hope to hatch and love on a few babies this spring. 3.2.23

I’m the Pidgy who originally had this thread…. now WoDia (because I was away from BYC for a little bit and forgot my password!). Anyhow, good wishes coming your way as you wait for your chance to have your own teeny quail cuddle bug. I still stand by my original postings (as Pidgy), and years later I have Toffee 3rd (grandson to my original cuddle bug). Plus, a few more of his family members (both males as well). Such tameness usually doesn’t happen with quail, but my ‘tame’ experience has been with male bobwhites…. and a few silver button females. Best of luck!!!!

 

[bus2325]

Toffee is my young male Bobwhite. He was artificially incubated by me, and I was lucky enough to be home when he hatched. I have hand-raised him (and bonded with him). He is the perfect little house bird! He comes to my voice, knows his way around, likes to be cuddled. He thinks I'm his mother and follows me everywhere. He took to a Flight suit right away so no piddles around to clean up. He seems to be very protective of me and what he considers his territory. He chases everyone but me, and even my cat "Winston" (yes, hard to believe). The cat actually does not bother him. Strange.... I know. Toffee "calls" when he's looking for me and searches until he finds me. I was skeptical about being able to coax him into being a pet, but he's so special!

That is adorable. I only wished my Bobwhites were that tame. Hatched from the incubator, personally hand raised and fed but to this day, nearly 11 weeks on, they still crouch low - ready to spring away and are exceptionally wary whenever the lights are turned on or if I approached their box. Still highly strung and only "calm down" after I stick my hand in there with their food for a bit.

 

[Deelarue]

Hello, fellow Bobwhite Mum,

Sorry for the very late reply, but I have not checked BYC in awhile. Congratulations on having your sweet little Omelette! My Toffee is the best avian pet I have ever had. He is extremely spoiled, as well. Yes, I do purchase his flight suits from Avian Fashions. I buy size large parrot suits, and they fit him quite well. The only problem I have with that is, Toffee has figured out how to get out of his suits. He wears them only when I let him roam around the house during the day. I change him approximately every 3 hours, so he won't end up with "poo bum". I use sensitive wipies to wipe him off. I also have a chinchilla dustbathing house for him. The chinchi dust works very well to keep his feathers clean. He loves it, but there is usually a small dust mess I have to sweep up with the dustbuster. Toffee is an amazing little guy. You will have so much joy in raising Omelette! I feed him Game Bird crumbles and Bird Seeds, that I also purchase for my exotic birds. I also add some bird grit. He has the run of the house, and he has gotten good at traversing the two flights of stairs leading to the second floor. I do not take him outside, but he loves to sit on the window sills and watch nature.
Recently, his father injured his leg. Now he shares his large pet cage with his father and best bird friend (my female Gambel's Quail). They all get along very well. Toffee is out most of the time though. At night, I will let him sleep on his own huge bed pillow, on the floor at the foot of my bed. I really hope Omelette is adjusting well. It isn't necessary for her to have a quail companion. Toffee did quite good without for a long time. The strangest friendship also developed with him and my cat, Winston. They became pals! Winston's a little different though.... he's been raised with birds, so he will only chase wild ones. And, they normally dive-bomb attack him while he's outside!!
Best of Luck with Omelette. I hope to hear an update!

Pidgy

Hi I was just wondering what is the cage you use for your sweet indoor quail

 

[Nabiki]

Hi I was just wondering what is the cage you use for your sweet indoor quail

FYI, this thread is 12 years old, and the person you're replying to hasn't logged in since 2015, so you're not likely to get a response.