Help the Newbie

[hessclan6]

Please talk to me about Coturnix weight standards. Standards vs Jumbos. I've read so many different opinions on the subject that I am not sure what to think.

I have 2 different batches of Cots I hatched one week a part. I weighed them this week for the first time. The first batch at about 2-3 weeks old weighed between 5-6 +/- ounces. The other batch was about 3-4 weeks old when I weighed them and they came in between 6-7 +/- ounces.

I recently added a another group of 2-3 week olds from a friend- they all weigh around 3 ounces. He also gave me some mature birds which weigh around 6 ounces.

Based on the weight differences could I assume the eggs I hatched were possibly jumbos? Or are they standards that I am just feeding really well, causing the weight difference?

 

[James the Bald]

Here is a link to a thread that one of our members had started. Pretty interesting information.
James

 

[hessclan6]

Thank you very much for the link..didn't see that particular thread when I was looking earlier and it gives me something to compare to.

Is there a particular agreed upon weight that a bird must weigh to be considered "jumbo"? It seems as though a lot of breeders use that word for a wide variety of sizes..

 

[James the Bald]

I don't believe there are breed standards for Coturnix (like there are for chickens), but I have read somewhere that in the wild, these quail weigh between 100 - 120 grams, and those that are bred for meat consumption weigh in around 300 grams.

I don't know what that converts to in ounces, but my A&Ms were around 14 oz when they were 10 weeks old. I did have one that was gigantic, but he was too aggressive with the ladys and was pretty good grilled with onions.

As always, if I am incorrect in my information, another member will point out the error of my ways.
James