First Quails, looking for advice

[Chickycammy]

I got my first ever Quails and I'm so excited! I've read things online about them but since they're going to be inside birds I figured I'd better get some info from some owners.

Right now there is only 2 and not getting any more. They're inside because in my town I have to have a license but after talking with the Game Warden he says I can keep 2 inside and no selling eggs or breeding/selling chicks.

So these little ones will be pets. I have no idea what their genders are, what type they are or anything. I got them from a seller through the paper and it took awhile to find anyone that would sell me only 2. They're eating well, drinking water and are active. I'll add some pics of their cage and them. I feed them medicated crumbles by Purina and they get filtered water.

So with that said what are some general advice from owners? What are some things I can expect from them? Can anyone tell what their species are? How long could it be before I can tell gender?

Thank you!!

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

Lol. I agree with your assessment.

Welcome to BYC.

I have a dozen or so of the Coturnix quail you do. They are fine pets and with two I don't think you will have turf issues but just like people they have their own personalities.

As far as feeding, the chicks will need high protein diets. Gamebird feed is recommended but normally comes in too large quantities for those with just a few birds. What you have can be supplemented with ground up dried bugs like mealworms and raw peanuts.

Congrats on your new birds. I find mine a pleasure to watch. They can be so comical and lively.

 

[muddy75]

I only did that because usually when I say quails aren't good pets everyone starts harassing me and starts defending the person even when it's a bad idea because of how messy and loud they can be.

You have a valid point and no one is yelling here but the setup the OP has is fine for the 2 as indoor pets but wouldn’t be for say 20. 2 coturnix can be kept healthy and clean in that environment easier than 2 guinea pigs or dwarf rabbits

 

[Chickycammy]

Don't start calling me names please and only reply to me if you are agreeing with me.

Quails are not good house pets and as someone who currently owns chickens,ducks AND quails, quails are the most stressful. They get injured super easily,stinky and if you have a male they can be SO loud at night. Also the breed of the quail is Coturnix

I'd never call anyone names, please don't worry!

Thank you for the advice! I'll be sure to clean their cage a lot and I have chickens and ducks as well outside, I use oregano and thyme dried herbs to help keep down the smell. I'll check and see if it's safe to use with the quails.

 

[muddy75]

They were raised together and they have a bunch of females.

Then probably fighting because have same favorite females!

 

[CovidtimeQuail]

They were raised together and they have a bunch of females.

Males don't share hens well. Sometimes even when they have their own flock and separate pen they get competitive if another roo is too close by. That may explain you are so frustrated with them.

In the absence of hens they typically do okay. That's why I'm thinking 2 birds will likely be fine regardless of gender. @MageofMist seems to do okay with her 2 quail roos and diamond dove. Every bird has exceptions though. That's what makes them so intriguing.

 

[muddy75]

I got my first ever Quails and I'm so excited! I've read things online about them but since they're going to be inside birds I figured I'd better get some info from some owners.

Right now there is only 2 and not getting any more. They're inside because in my town I have to have a license but after talking with the Game Warden he says I can keep 2 inside and no selling eggs or breeding/selling chicks.

So these little ones will be pets. I have no idea what their genders are, what type they are or anything. I got them from a seller through the paper and it took awhile to find anyone that would sell me only 2. They're eating well, drinking water and are active. I'll add some pics of their cage and them. I feed them medicated crumbles by Purina and they get filtered water.

So with that said what are some general advice from owners? What are some things I can expect from them? Can anyone tell what their species are? How long could it be before I can tell gender?

Thank you!!

They are coturnix and look to be wild type color. At 3-4 weeks, you can post pictures of the breast for help with gender. If you have 2 males or 2 females they should be fine but if you have 1 of each then you may have issues with overbreeding

 

[Emelyn]

They are coturnix and look to be wild type color. At 3-4 weeks, you can post pictures of the breast for help with gender. If you have 2 males or 2 females they should be fine but if you have 1 of each then you may have issues with overbreeding

I have 2 males and they fight so much

 

[Emelyn]

They shouldn’t IF raised together and no females closeby.......but always a chance of aggression even among females

They were raised together and they have a bunch of females.

 

[MageofMist]

Males don't share hens well. Sometimes even when they have their own flock and separate pen they get competitive if another roo is too close by. That may explain you are so frustrated with them.

In the absence of hens they typically do okay. That's why I'm thinking 2 birds will likely be fine regardless of gender. @MageofMist seems to do okay with her 2 quail roos and diamond dove. Every bird has exceptions though. That's what makes them so intriguing.

The third, Cookie, turned out to be male as well So... Three crowing quail, one of which now bites me when I sort the water out (Canary) and two cooing, hormonal doves.

Having a bachelor flock with male quail works out fine as long as none are separated for too long. If you separate a male and try introducing him, the ‘boss’ quail will fight him. Also introducing hens is a big no with bachelor flocks as 99% of the time, they will fight over them. Even your sweetest brothers will suddenly turn and fight over a hen.

There are some exceptions but that is in very large flocks with far too many hens for them to fight over, and thus they break up into distinct flocks with one male and their own hens. This requires a lot of space like a very large aviary to work out as well.