I am now an accidental quail owner!

[SBFChickenGirl]

Was outside tonight and saw a male and female bobwhite quail walking around my yard. Caught both of them with a fishing net, they were pretty tame (as far as quail go). The male escaped while I was transporting both of them to the chick brooder that I had just cleaned out. It's dark now, so I'm hoping that the male is hiding in the long grass near the coop and will come out in the morning. Meanwhile, the female is in the HC brooder, no way for her to escape, with water and some extra chicken food.

I've never owned quail before, and considering this was an accident, I didn't have time to do any research XD.

So I've got a few questions.
I know that I can't keep the female (now named Bobo) by herself, and with the fox running around, I don't have high hopes for her boyfriend returning... though I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I've heard terrible stories of quail killing each other, so I need to successfully find a friend for Bobo who won't murder her... Any suggestions? I'm finding Cortunix and button quail in my area on Craigslist. I know a bobwhite quail would be best. Would a male or female friend be better?

Can Bobo eat the leftover broiler food I've given her? It's a crumble, not pellet. At least for now till I can get some better food. What kind of food do quail eat anyway?

 

[muddy75]

Was outside tonight and saw a male and female bobwhite quail walking around my yard. Caught both of them with a fishing net, they were pretty tame (as far as quail go). The male escaped while I was transporting both of them to the chick brooder that I had just cleaned out. It's dark now, so I'm hoping that the male is hiding in the long grass near the coop and will come out in the morning. Meanwhile, the female is in the HC brooder, no way for her to escape, with water and some extra chicken food.

I've never owned quail before, and considering this was an accident, I didn't have time to do any research XD.

So I've got a few questions.
I know that I can't keep the female (now named Bobo) by herself, and with the fox running around, I don't have high hopes for her boyfriend returning... though I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I've heard terrible stories of quail killing each other, so I need to successfully find a friend for Bobo who won't murder her... Any suggestions? I'm finding Cortunix and button quail in my area on Craigslist. I know a bobwhite quail would be best. Would a male or female friend be better?

Can Bobo eat the leftover broiler food I've given her? It's a crumble, not pellet. At least for now till I can get some better food. What kind of food do quail eat anyway?

Broiler food should be fine for now. A gamebird feed would be best or an all flock. A lone female would probably be fine in captivity with coturnix. I would put her with females if possible. You could put a male coturnix into a group of 5-6 hens (including her) if you don’t retrieve her mate. Should consider checking local laws however to ensure you don’t need a permit to keep her or them.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Broiler food should be fine for now. A gamebird feed would be best or an all flock. A lone female would probably be fine in captivity with coturnix. I would put her with females if possible. You could put a male coturnix into a group of 5-6 hens (including her) if you don’t retrieve her mate. Should consider checking local laws however to ensure you don’t need a permit to keep her or them.

Thank you so much for the quick reply!
Gamebird feed, got it. I'll try and hop over to TSC in the next few days.
Local laws *facepalm* I assumed that I could have them, considering I've got a million and one chickens XD. I'll check those out right now.

She's fully feathered, so I'd assume she's older?

 

[muddy75]

Thank you so much for the quick reply!
Gamebird feed, got it. I'll try and hop over to TSC in the next few days.
Local laws *facepalm* I assumed that I could have them, considering I've got a million and one chickens XD. I'll check those out right now.
View attachment 2735383
She's fully feathered, so I'd assume she's older?

Not sure.....could be last year’s chick or possibly early May chick? If last year chick, she will lay this year, if this year chick she may start laying late breeding season or may not until next spring

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Not sure.....could be last year’s chick or possibly early May chick? If last year chick, she will lay this year, if this year chick she may start laying late breeding season or may not until next spring

When's breeding season?
My poultry knowledge is limited to chickens and a little bit about turkeys.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

New question: Could I keep my quail with my bantams? I've got a flock of d'Uccles...

 

[muddy75]

New question: Could I keep my quail with my bantams? I've got a flock of d'Uccles...

It’s not a good idea to keep chickens and quail together. Quail can flush 10+ feet and fly short distances. They need full enclosure either on the ground or cages. They don’t “coop” train and most don’t use ramps well.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

It’s not a good idea to keep chickens and quail together. Quail can flush 10+ feet and fly short distances. They need full enclosure either on the ground or cages. They don’t “coop” train and most don’t use ramps well.

Well there goes that idea XD
I have a fully enclosed brooder that looks like the majority of quail enclosures on this website... It's pretty large. I think I'll keep her in that.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[muddy75]

Well there goes that idea XD
I have a fully enclosed brooder that looks like the majority of quail enclosures on this website... It's pretty large. I think I'll keep her in that.

Thanks for all the help!

Now I’m the queen of trying it all when it comes to mixed flocks (but I’m prepared for the risks/consequences) but if the brooder is working well and you don’t need it atm, it sounds like safest bet.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Now I’m the queen of trying it all when it comes to mixed flocks (but I’m prepared for the risks/consequences) but if the brooder is working well and you don’t need it atm, it sounds like safest bet.

Yeah, I might have to try it when winter comes. I definitely wouldn't try a mixed flock until I have some friends for Bobo... picking up two females tomorrow. Pics will follow!