Rescued Quail! In need of help/advice

[Marty Ranoda]

Recently rescued Quail from a bad situation. They’d previously lived in a small storage bin, on a diet of Quinoa and oatmeal. We bought them a large enclosure along with chick starter. 14 of them, a few of which are buttons. I understand that they’ll need to be separated as soon as possible. I’ve only had chickens and ducks before this, so I lack experience but I needed them out of their previous situation. My biggest concern now is the lack of feathers on a few of the chicks, especially the buttons. Will they be able to grow back? How do I stop them from plucking? When can they go outside? The previous owner said they were around a week old but they’ve avoided the heat lamp and (Of the healthy ones) their feathers have come in nicely. How many bigger quail can I house together? How can I tell male from female? I’ve heard button quail are better in pairs, but is that only in terms of breeding? 2 of the bigger quail are extremely skittish and fly whenever I clean out their enclosure, what can I do to calm them down? What age should I separate them? Finally, what type of Quail are the bigger ones? I assumed they were Japanese quail but I’ve heard phrases like “bobwhites” thrown around, is that just the color variation?

 

[Xouie]

Welcome to quaildom! Japanese (Coturnix), bobwhites, and buttons are three different species. I’m sorry I can’t see your photo.

• Yes they should be separated as soon as you can
• Yes the feathers should grow back
• The Coturnix are fine as a large group
• Buttons do well in groups as well unless you’re selectively breeding
• Make and female quail usually have some color/pattern distinctions (I’ll try another computer later to hopefully see your pic)
• Sometimes quail can just be flighty. but hopefully they will get used to you soon. Treats and slow movements help a little

Great -- I switched computers and can see now. Your big ones are coturnix (Japanese) quail. Not nearly as flighty as bobs, whew! They should calm down a lot as soon as they are comfy and settled.

 

[Marty Ranoda]

Welcome to quaildom! Japanese (Coturnix), bobwhites, and buttons are three different species. I’m sorry I can’t see your photo.

• Yes they should be separated as soon as you can
• Yes the feathers should grow back
• The Coturnix are fine as a large group
• Buttons do well in groups as well unless you’re selectively breeding
• Make and female quail usually have some color/pattern distinctions (I’ll try another computer later to hopefully see your pic)
• Sometimes quail can just be flighty. but hopefully they will get used to you soon. Treats and slow movements help a little

Great -- I switched computers and can see now. Your big ones are coturnix (Japanese) quail. Not nearly as flighty as bobs, whew! They should calm down a lot as soon as they are comfy and settled.

Welcome to quaildom! Japanese (Coturnix), bobwhites, and buttons are three different species. I’m sorry I can’t see your photo.

• Yes they should be separated as soon as you can
• Yes the feathers should grow back
• The Coturnix are fine as a large group
• Buttons do well in groups as well unless you’re selectively breeding
• Make and female quail usually have some color/pattern distinctions (I’ll try another computer later to hopefully see your pic)
• Sometimes quail can just be flighty. but hopefully they will get used to you soon. Treats and slow movements help a little

Great -- I switched computers and can see now. Your big ones are coturnix (Japanese) quail. Not nearly as flighty as bobs, whew! They should calm down a lot as soon as they are comfy and settled.

Thank you so much!

 

[muddy75]

while buttons are more flighty, you can keep buttons and coturnix quail together as long as your enclosure has enough space (approximately 1 sq ft per bird) with hideaways etc and is escape and predator proof. You’ll want your male:female ratio for coturnix at 1:5 and buttons if kept together about the same watching for any aggression or overbreeding. buttons like temps at or above 50* while coturnix can tolerate much lower temps.

 

[Quailobsessed]

They all look to be a few weeks of age. Because of their feather loss, you probably won't be able to tell all of their genders for a few more weeks. They will grow back their feathers though. I had a king (button) quail chick who was plucked by his mother. I separated him and when he grew back his feathers, they were the male colouring. I moved him in with his three adult sisters and they finished raising him.