How to tame/ let quail be house pets

[Harry637]

I have 2 female coturnix quail. Originally, I tried to take them out of the cage and it worked! But they’re still terrified of outside of their cage, and I do want to let them roam free. They’re also terrified of my hand especially when I move it and when they freak out they start panting a lot. They won’t come out at all and are definetly not ok with me holding or petting them. Anyone with tame quail or roam-in-the-house quail, any advice? thank you so much

 

[007Sean]

Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with taming a quail to be a house pet but have lots of experience in handling them...don't try to pick them up from an above position, try picking them up from a side ways position....predators attack from an above position most of the time, so the instincts to escape are greater.
Also might try giving them treats with an open hand from a sideways position. Will take quite some time before they feel comfortable with your hand coming at them.
HTH

 

[Nabiki]

You'll have to spend a lot of time with them. To be honest, their instincts are not to be pets. Don't expect them to enjoy being picked up and held. That being said, if you spend a lot of time with them, offer them treats, and don't make fast movements, they will eventually become comfortable around you.

I don't keep my quail as pets, but mine will come up to me at feeding time and peck at my shoes, pants, and hands at feeding time. The one time I had a great escape, most of them came running towards me rather than away from me when I brought food out.

 

[WoDia]

I have 2 female coturnix quail. Originally, I tried to take them out of the cage and it worked! But they’re still terrified of outside of their cage, and I do want to let them roam free. They’re also terrified of my hand especially when I move it and when they freak out they start panting a lot. They won’t come out at all and are definetly not ok with me holding or petting them. Anyone with tame quail or roam-in-the-house quail, any advice? thank you so much

It takes a whole lot of patience…. especially if you did not raise them from hatchlings. I have loads of experience raising Bobwhite Quail and Chinese Painted. Only a little experience with Coturnix though. If you just let them exit the cage on their terms, you may get good results. Some enticing treats placed just outside can help. A quiet area is a good idea as well. I currently have 4 male House Bobwhites (the 3rd generation). They are a joy being part of our family. I’ve had good results with paper training a few as well (believe it or not…. it can be done). Also, let them get used to your hand by using slow movements more from the side of them and not directly at them. Lay your hand near them, open with their favorite treats.
God Bless you for going the distance with them. They may never calm completely down, but don’t give up. You can maybe try to hold them in a blanket on your lap and pet them if you want to handle them. I have a wryneck quail that’s very scared due to being picked on by another Bobwhite. I keep him inside our home in a different room than my 4 House Bobs. He has to be watched closely. I make a blanket cave on my lap, put him inside it, and place my hand inside and pet him. That calms him, so it may work for your girls too. It does take a very patient person to work with a quail that retains a lot of its prey instincts.
—— My experience——
I am raising…. or have raised…. Quail (4 types), Chickens, Turkeys (multiple types), Pheasants (3 types), Parakeets and Conures…. among numerous other species on our farms most of my life. I have a small amazing family, I’m a farm girl, an anthropologist, and I cherish living a peaceful life surrounded by nature.

Good Wishes!

 

[yakitori]

I didn’t mean to tame this one, she’s a wry neck and was brought in when she was bullied by the others. She’s allowed to roam the kitchen as she pleases when I’m around. I just leave her little cage open and she comes and goes as she likes.

She doesn’t like being handled though, doesn’t freak out or anything, just becomes very antsy and tries to find a way back to solid ground again.

How old are yours? I’ve been told that they tend to mellow out with age.

 

[WoDia]

In my experience, yes some do mellow…. especially a few of my females. I had one particular female that wanted to always be cuddled. My buttons are ages 3 years 1 month- 1 year and the bobs are 3 years 1 month- 2 years 4 months. My first 2 generations of house bobs lived to be 8 years and 7 years. I see that yours is a bit spoiled too. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[Ravenlover]

Bed time movie snuggles

 

[WoDia]

Bed time movie snuggles

This is my incredible cuddle bug Kiki before she passed.

 

[yakitori]

In my experience, yes some do mellow…. especially a few of my females. I had one particular female that wanted to always be cuddled. My buttons are ages 3 years 1 month- 1 year and the bobs are 3 years 1 month- 2 years 4 months. My first 2 generations of house bobs lived to be 8 years and 7 years. I see that yours is a bit spoiled too. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story.

those are some long lived birds <3 both male and female? I was under the impression that females lived shorter lives due to egg laying

 

[WoDia]

The buttons have a general lifespan of 1-4 years in my experience so far. I’ve had females live to approximately 3 years though. That is a little unusual for a female but possible if their calcium and mineral needs are met and they are not exposed to harsh elements. My oldest now are males over 3 years. The house bobwhites are all males. My 2 prior generations lived pampered lives in the coziness and warmth of our home. I also have a building designed specifically for quail where I have 40 bobwhites currently.