Identifying Quality Quail Cocks

[Sara L]

interesting. that would definitely require leg bands to signify which quail came from which breeding group. I'm going to run 4 breeding groups at a time, so this could be a real challenge - I would have to mark eggs and then have some sort of dividers in the incubator during lockdown so I could know which chicks come from which breeding group. seems possible with some creative engineering.

I use strawberry baskets, just zip tie two together at the tops, then cut the bottom off of one. Makes a tall basket the babies can't jump out of but you can still see inside the basket.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I'd throw a word of caution out there to anyone thinking of selectively breeding for quieter or less aggressive males over many generations - these are usually associated with fertility, and you could end up affecting the viability of the line over time. Sadists certainly aren't tolerated in my cages but my males have to be moderately vocal and they have to be proactive about breeding, which usually means lots of (literal) skirt chasing. I can certainly see your priorities being different if you're keeping a flock for infertile eggs only, or in an urban setting.

 

[Bug n Flock]

Watch the beaks. For whatever reason, in my experience quails tend to be relatively prone to beak deformities.

 

[BReeder!]

Watch the beaks. For whatever reason, in my experience quails tend to be relatively prone to beak deformities.

Thanks for that advice. I'll keep it in mind for sure.