I have 7 coturnix quail. We got them 5 days after hatch (hatch date was 10/17). They are now 6 weeks old. Can anyone tell gender based on feather pattern? I’ve read that some colors you can, some you can’t. I’m not sure what colors they even are, we’re brand new to quail. Any info you can give based on the photos would be great! I tried to take pics of their chests as I read that’s where the color pattern differences would be (apologies for the awkward pics, some of them got a bit flappy mid photo shoot). If different pictures would be more helpful, I am happy to take new ones. Thanks!
Bird #1 - Not 100% sure, going by the amount of "buff" coloring on the breast area, it could be a roo, but it does have some faint spots at the top near the neck, so that could be hen...
Bird #2 - I'd say hen, as the hens tend to have the more detailed spotting on their breast area.
Bird #3 - Roo - again, look at the amount of "buff" coloring on breast area.
Bird #4 - Roo - again, Buff coloring
Bird #5 - Not sure, never had one with those color patterns
Bird #6 - Not sure on that one neither, I'd say maybe hen?
Bird #7 - Definitely Roo - Again Buff coloring on breast area is a definite for a roo.
However.....sometimes feather sexing can be kind of hard, so .......
There is a fail-proof way of knowing, and that is vent sexing. Some may think it gross, but, it's a fail-proof way of knowing 100%. - and I will add that this is only when they have reached maturity, which is anywhere from 6-8 weeks, but mostly 7-8 weeks old.
Take the bird, and push the feathers out of the way by its vent, (FYI: same spot where they poop), and then, I'd say about a finger width below the vent, gently push on that area, if a foamy substance comes out, you have yourself a rooster. If it doesn't, you've got a hen. Either way, whether it be feather sexing or vent sexing, it is pretty simple and easy once you learn what to look for, and don't worry, that of course comes with experience. Hope this helps
Kind Regards,
Previous Coturnix Owner/Breeder
