Coturnix quail vs. Bobwhite - Which makes a better pet?

[Scooter&Suzie]

I have wanted to get quail and now that it is getting warm out I would like to do it soon. I wanted to get button quail, bobwhite quail, or coturnix quail, but after hearing how skitish the buttons are, I kicked out that option. I have a TON of questions, so here they all are -

1. Which one tends to be friendlier?
2. Can jumbo coturnix be pets or are they just for meat?
3. How much bigger are jumbo coturnix than normal coturnix?
4. What is an A&M coturnix? (How is it different)
5. Are they noisy? (Either breed, both males and females)
6. Which breed is louder?
7. Will either breed fly away or should I clip their wings?
8. Could both breeds live together?
9. Which one do you like better? Why?

Sorry for all the questions, there are just some things I can't seem to find

Any other information will be most welcome!


Note: After reading through my questions I noticed it looked a bit like a test... You don't need to answer all my questions, just if you could tell me what you know, that would be great!

 

[bfrancis]

Answers in bold

I have wanted to get quail and now that it is getting warm out I would like to do it soon. I wanted to get button quail, bobwhite quail, or coturnix quail, but after hearing how skitish the buttons are, I kicked out that option. I have a TON of questions, so here they all are -

1. Which one tends to be friendlier? Coturnix
2. Can jumbo coturnix be pets or are they just for meat? all quail are hands off, but cots tolerate people the best
3. How much bigger are jumbo coturnix than normal coturnix? a couple ounces
4. What is an A&M coturnix? (How is it different) Loaded question...in laymen's incorrect terms, A&M are white
5. Are they noisy? (Either breed, both males and females) Boys are boys...
6. Which breed is louder? Bobwhites
7. Will either breed fly away or should I clip their wings? Don't know of anyone who clips wings...just keep them safe from escapes...
8. Could both breeds live together? NO
9. Which one do you like better? For a beginner cots are better, for me I like about any breed of quail...and have several, lol Why? Native Bob's need a permit to keep, are seasonal breeders, and unless skilled and know what to watch for should only be kept in pairs....Coturnix, just watch male to female ratio, give them food and water, good shelter, and they will be fine...eggs year round!

Sorry for all the questions, there are just some things I can't seem to find

Any other information will be most welcome! Stickies are a good source of info and also hit search function to check out threads specifically talking about each breed.


Note: After reading through my questions I noticed it looked a bit like a test... You don't need to answer all my questions, just if you could tell me what you know, that would be great!

Hope this was helpful, good luck with your choice

 

[Riceman026]

I am totally at this stage right now with my choice too... I just got the 50 Bobwhite eggs i ordered to incubate and see which i like better, man this is exciting! Good luck with your decision, its a tough one but try things out and just watch them so they dont kill each other.

I have wanted to get quail and now that it is getting warm out I would like to do it soon. I wanted to get button quail, bobwhite quail, or coturnix quail, but after hearing how skitish the buttons are, I kicked out that option. I have a TON of questions, so here they all are -

1. Which one tends to be friendlier? From what I hear, its the Coturnix. From my experience my Cots are just fun to listen to and watch in their pen. They dont seem to mind me at all.
2. Can jumbo coturnix be pets or are they just for meat? Definately can be pets, my kids handle them alot by again I am new and understand they have a shorter lifespand so not sure how attached I would want the kids.
3. How much bigger are jumbo coturnix than normal coturnix? Dunno
4. What is an A&M coturnix? (How is it different) Dunno
5. Are they noisy? (Either breed, both males and females) Cots arent extremely loud, their coo is kinda fun to sit and listen to.
6. Which breed is louder? I will let you know when my Bobwhites are hatched, setting them today actually(STOKED!)
7. Will either breed fly away or should I clip their wings? Bobwhites fly, but Cots wont
8. Could both breeds live together? Gonna find out in a couple weeks
9. Which one do you like better? Why? I like the Bobwhites just simply based on popularity i think, versatility, and just plain looks. But the cots have an upside too, you get a ton of eggs from healthy females and you get them early. I just had a couple turn 5.5 almost 6 weeks and came home to two eggs in the pen, it was awesome.

Sorry for all the questions, there are just some things I can't seem to find

Any other information will be most welcome!


Note: After reading through my questions I noticed it looked a bit like a test... You don't need to answer all my questions, just if you could tell me what you know, that would be great!

 

[Riceman026]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/102281/coturnix-quail-basics-information-and-pictures-galore

Great read on Cots, alot of questions answered here. Hope it helps.

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Oh, and one more question: Can I use my petite silkie to hatch some of the eggs? I think I will go with the coturnix quail. If you think it is possable, how many eggs max do you think she could do? She is smaller than most silkies.

Thanks for all the answers!

 

[cva34]

Oh, and one more question: Can I use my petite silkie to hatch some of the eggs? I think I will go with the coturnix quail. If you think it is possable, how many eggs max do you think she could do? She is smaller than most silkies.

Thanks for all the answers!

Cots jumbo brns are the friendliest I have .Treated them like The BW I have, bout same size cages too.BW come right up to me when I walk up and open the cage.But that's where it ends if you reach in there on the GO . When you do get ahold of one its like grabbing a WildCat ,If one jumps out he's history..The Cot, when you open door and you reach in you got to shove them out the way too feed.Reach in and pick one up and there just as calm.If one were to get out he'll fly a few feet ,all you got to do is walk over and pick him up. As far as under Silkie Most people say no.I really have to agree.To me Quail eggs are softer (shell cracks easier than chic egg)but the membrane is tougher I would think they would get broke too easy. I go with INC every time...cva34

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Cots jumbo brns are the friendliest I have .Treated them like The BW I have, bout same size cages too.BW come right up to me when I walk up and open the cage.But that's where it ends if you reach in there on the GO . When you do get ahold of one its like grabbing a WildCat ,If one jumps out he's history..The Cot, when you open door and you reach in you got to shove them out the way too feed.Reach in and pick one up and there just as calm.If one were to get out he'll fly a few feet ,all you got to do is walk over and pick him up. As far as under Silkie Most people say no.I really have to agree.To me Quail eggs are softer (shell cracks easier than chic egg)but the membrane is tougher I would think they would get broke too easy. I go with INC every time...cva34

Oh... So are coturnix quail really not a "pet" type of animal? I heard that they were really friendly.... Was I misinformed?

 

[TwoCrows]

They are certainly not like cats or dogs when it comes to "pets". But they are friendly for a quail species. They can feed from your hand and if raised from chicks with a lot of attention, will come a running when they see you with treats and MIGHT let you touch them a bit. But in no way are they a typical pet so to speak. Quail are an enjoyable species of bird to keep, but they are not really a hands on bird. You just enjoy them for the way the are.

 

[DNAatWork]

Coturnix quail - in my opinion. The expense is way lower, and the production of the bird is much higher.

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

They are certainly not like cats or dogs when it comes to "pets". But they are friendly for a quail species. They can feed from your hand and if raised from chicks with a lot of attention, will come a running when they see you with treats and MIGHT let you touch them a bit. But in no way are they a typical pet so to speak. Quail are an enjoyable species of bird to keep, but they are not really a hands on bird. You just enjoy them for the way the are.

Oh, darn it. I was hoping they would be as friendly as my chickens. I'll have to make sure this is what I would like to do.

I've heard that "the wild color quail are skitish while the white are as friendly as kittens" - Does anyone notice a different of the personality of different colors?