Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[Lobzi]

How old do the browns have to be in order to feather sex them? I one little one going on three weeks? Too young yet?

 

[lauradrake21]

Hiya is someone able to reply to my post with pics of our 7 babies and also advice needed. I would like to know your opinion on what colour they would be and also help for their best welfare.

My post is here https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...tures-what-colours-will-they-be#post_15312820


Thank you so much.
Laura.

 

[orumpoultry]

How old do the browns have to be in order to feather sex them?  I one little one going on three weeks?  Too young yet?

At three weeks they should be a pretty good size. Can you post a picture?

 

[Lobzi]

Hardy is not very large. I will try to get a picture, It fell a pretty good distance as it is a very precocious little fella. I have it resting now and am hoping it will recover. One thing interesting is that it has white feathering coming in at the base of its feathers.

 

[orumpoultry]

Fell?

 

[Lobzi]

Yes, off a high bed and onto a carpeted floor. I thought the little fella was running around and when I checked he was lying on his side. Now he doesnt have good leg or wing function but is eating well. Im making him stay put by wrapping him in a soft towel, holding him a lot, and hand feeding him scrambled egg which he loves. He is a pet. He is very attached to me. So can you see how the white feather base is coming in on the wings?

 

[texan4ut]

Yes, off a high bed and onto a carpeted floor. I thought the little fella was running around and when I checked he was lying on his side. Now he doesnt have good leg or wing function but is eating well. Im making him stay put by wrapping him in a soft towel, holding him a lot, and hand feeding him scrambled egg which he loves. He is a pet. He is very attached to me. So can you see how the white feather base is coming in on the wings?

I had one of mine that was small and jumped out of the brooder 3 foot fall on hard tile. Seemed to be ok but after a few days I noticed 1 quail kinda laying around a lot didn't think too much about it until I was watching as it wasn't really getting much bigger, then I saw it trying to move and the poor little thing legs weren't working and wings weren't long enough to help it move but it was trying. I put it right next to the food and it ate like crazy gave it some water, but it didn't really recover. I was afraid the bigger birds would start attacking it so I put it down. Don't know for sure that was the one that jumped but I figured it was.

 

[Lobzi]

I will keep this little one close. I have made a pet out of him. If he never goes in with the group because he is disabled that is fine. I had a chicken like that. I kicked her by accident when she was 3 weeks old. She suffered brain damage and was sweet at can be but not afraid enough to do her good. She stayed with me until a hawk got her while she was feasting on grass on my deck. She was not even aware that the hawk was there Im sure.
So my quail, I hope Hardy recovers completely. He is such a sweet heart.

 

[orumpoultry]

Fat Daddy, to finish our conversation on pickled/canned quail.

It's a lot like potted meat. If you do it right, stuff lasts forever. Doesn't taste half bad, but, is an acquired taste. My grandmother used to hatch thousands of quail every summer. Jumbo Bobs, standard Bobs, Coturnix, all sorts. At the end of each grow cycle ( three cycles if childhood memory serves me ) we butchered young and old. Leaving only growers for next seasons cycles. All quail were either potted, boiled for stock, deboned and jerkeyed, or made BBQ ready. It was best wrapped in bacon. Quail that were still smaller than the others were boned and put in mason jars in stock of some sort. Heated up like soup, amazing.

 

[Lobzi]

Hardy is getting her (his) sea-legs back and doing much better after the fall yesterday. I took some pics to show the white feathers and chest area. Any ideas on why the white and if this is a little female?