Rosetta quail can't identify males

[fishforbrains]

So I bought some Rosetta quail eggs from Stromberg's, got a good hatch, and other than the two birds that are clearly Italians (someone must have mixed up some eggs) I'm happy with them, except I can't figure out which ones are males and females. They were advertised as "very docile" and yes, they are. At 5 weeks I was expecting some to start crowing and trying to mate but nothing. They all look identical and act the same. Pretty things, though, seem very robust. One of the Italians is clearly a male. I guess I just need to wait?

 

[Sara L]

So I bought some Rosetta quail eggs from Stromberg's, got a good hatch, and other than the two birds that are clearly Italians (someone must have mixed up some eggs) I'm happy with them, except I can't figure out which ones are males and females. They were advertised as "very docile" and yes, they are. At 5 weeks I was expecting some to start crowing and trying to mate but nothing. They all look identical and act the same. Pretty things, though, seem very robust. One of the Italians is clearly a male. I guess I just need to wait?

Unfortunately yes, you will need to wait a few more weeks until they start crowing or lay eggs. Or, watch the Italian rooster. If there are females present he will try to mount them. If the pen has all males the dominant males will usually mount the less dominant males.

My roosters usually start crowing in the 5th or 6th week, so you shouldn't have to wait too much longer.