California Valley Quail..... Help?

[LuvinChickens]

I would like to get some California Valley Quail, but I know absaloutely nothing about quail. What size house would 10-20 quail need? What kind of house? What kind of feeders/waterers? What kind of food? What type of living situation do they need? Do they need like a brush pile, or coops, or just perches, etc. Anything else I need to know? So, yes I know nothing about quail.

 

[TwoCrows]

California quail are not the best birds to start out with if you are unfamiliar with quail. They are very nervous birds and stress very easily.

California quail need a lot of space and don't do well on wire. They are best kept on the ground as they flush easily, they need brush piles and hidey spaces to keep them calm. So at least 4 or 5 square feet per bird. More if you can afford it. They can be very active and hyper. Aviaries are best suited for this type of quail. They are prone to "night frights" and can fly into walls and such. So make it big.

They also like to get off the ground at night. So again with the brush piles with leaves for privacy during the day.

They are best kept in pairs during breeding season as they are highly territorial. One male to one female. If you have huge spaces, you may be able to keep a few pairs in close proximity. If not, then you will have to make arrangements for breeding season. (spring thru fall). During the non breeding season you can mix them all together.

Feed them a good diet of gamebird food...something with 24% to 28% protein. They also enjoy greens, veggies, quartered fruits, dried fruits, mealworms, ect... Oyster shell for the layers on the side.

 

[LuvinChickens]

What breed of quail do you suggest for first time quail owners? I would prefer to not have button quail.

 

[TwoCrows]

Coturnix quail are a great starter bird. They come in many different colors, mature rapidly, are great layers and are not skittish around people. They do much better in smaller spaces than the new world quail.

 

[QuailGuy88]

I agree, coturnix quails are the best ones to start off with. I have had lots of success with them

But I am moving on to chickens for now

 

[quail98]

I have coturnix quail now and maybie bob white if i get a permit for then i do field trials with my dogs so i am building a 50' long 12'wide by 10'tall flight pen for them will the coturnix b a good quail for that or i no the bobs r good training birds and how would the valley quail be??

 

[BobWhitesrus]

Bobwhites is the bird to train dogs..coturnix are not very flighty and are slow about it. All dog pple who buy from me tell me that their dogs can catch them! and thats not good training outside of beginer dogs..valley quail are very flighty but the bobwhites are more available and cost less!.They are difficult to raise..but then that is what i do!.lol

 

[BobWhitesrus]

Coturnix would be the best starters since they go from hatch to laying in six weeks!..but there is no difference in raising bobwhites and coturnix exept coturnix grow faster!

 

[quail98]

Thanks for the info do i sell any bob white eggs?

 

[quail98]

I ment do u sell any eggs lol