Button quail ID

[isegal]

They are all button quail (also known as king quail or Chinese painted quail). Quail don't have breeds, just species and colour variations within each species.

The two whites are still whites, and not feather sexable.
The silver *might* be feather sexable. Males will sometimes develop a pale chin strap and red/rust feathers around the vent. Yours hasn't fully feathered on the head yet, so it's too early to tell.
The other two are speckled, which are not feather sexable.

You will want to watch them. If any start making a high whistling call, those are males.

Thanks! By 'breed,' I ment color morph. Wow, nearly none of mine are feather sexable. Is there any other way to sex them early on? Also, they are all making tons of different noises at the same time, I don't know which one makes which.

 

[Nabiki]

Be patient. Buttons don't mature as quickly as coturnix. The hens will usually start laying around 12 weeks if they have enough light.

 

[isegal]

Be patient. Buttons don't mature as quickly as coturnix. The hens will usually start laying around 12 weeks if they have enough light.

Really, what? Literally every source I've seen says Button Quail mature at 6 weeks and start laying at 6-8 weeks.

 

[isegal]

Be patient. Buttons don't mature as quickly as coturnix. The hens will usually start laying around 12 weeks if they have enough light.

They are fed gamebird, showbird, meatbird starter feed. It has 24% protein. Will they mature faster than average?

 

[Nabiki]

They are fed gamebird, showbird, meatbird starter feed. It has 24% protein. Will they mature faster than average?

That's low for quail chicks. Chicks should be getting 28-30% protein. The feed your giving them will be good once they're adults.

I've read a lot of things saying 6-8 weeks, but my experience says otherwise.

 

[CuriousCucco]

Hi!
You have 2 white, 1 silver and 2 redbreasted. If you have any males you should be able to see a small amount of red ventfeathers and/or a bib at about 3 weeks when they're starting to get their adult plumage. The white ones are the only ones who can't be feather sexed, you'll have to rely on behaviour for those.

 

[isegal]

That's low for quail chicks. Chicks should be getting 28-30% protein. The feed your giving them will be good once they're adults.

I've read a lot of things saying 6-8 weeks, but my experience says otherwise.

I've been occasionally feeding them some unseasoned scrambled eggs, and sliced cucumber. Should I continue with that?

 

[isegal]

Hi!
You have 2 white, 1 silver and 2 redbreasted. If you have any males you should be able to see a small amount of red ventfeathers and/or a bib at about 3 weeks when they're starting to get their adult plumage. The white ones are the only ones who can't be feather sexed, you'll have to rely on behaviour for those.

Thank you! What kind of behavior should I look out for on thr whites to determine their sex?

 

[Nabiki]

I've been occasionally feeding them some unseasoned scrambled eggs, and sliced cucumber. Should I continue with that?

The egg is okay, but the cucumber is pretty much junk food for them. It's best to wait until they're adults to give them treats.

Differences in gender behaviour to look for:
Males: whistiling call, offering tidbits of treats to others, mating (the one on the bottom may not be female)
Females: accepting tidbits, small, soft chirps only, laying eggs

 

[isegal]

The egg is okay, but the cucumber is pretty much junk food for them. It's best to wait until they're adults to give them treats.

Differences in gender behaviour to look for:
Males: whistiling call, offering tidbits of treats to others, mating (the one on the bottom may not be female)
Females: accepting tidbits, small, soft chirps only, laying eggs

what are tidbits?