Quail temperament

[debs_flock]

I bought the package deal with a Genesis incubator that came with free bobwhite quail eggs. I hatched them out and they started to lay about a month ago. Those quail have seen me walk past their pen a couple of times a day, I've fed and watered them every day and this has been going on for nearly six months. They are truly NUTS. They will scatter every time you come near their pen.

On the other hand, I got some coturnix eggs and hatched them out about two weeks ago. You open their pen and they walk up to you and jump into your hand. I truly can't believe the extreme difference in the temperaments.

I know which quail I will be keeping long term...............

Deb

 

[TwoCrows]

Bobwhites need a LOT of work to tame them down. Cots have a much calmer attitude around humans, maybe because they have been domesticated far longer than Bobs. To keep Bobs relatively tame, you need to handle them a LOT as babies. As they grow, give them positive interaction with you by hand feeding them things that they cannot resist. When they see you coming with treats, they will associate you with good things instead of fear.

Mealworms are an excellent bonding food, as well as snap peas in the pod, greens, sliced apples and peaches, and many other fruits and veggies.