Thinking about getting quail

[Ilovemyduckies]

I'm thinking about getting quail and have a few questions. I've been researching a lot, but still have some unanswered questions.

1. I read that some some quail are loud and some aren't. Are valley/gambel quail loud?

2. What type of nesting boxes should I use. Would they be fine just laying any where? Could they just use a wooden box type thing like a chicken? Any suggestions on what works best for you?

3. I've read some places that 3-4 females per male is okay, and other places that say you should keep them in pairs. Is this just different opinions? Or does it depend on the breed?

4. Can you mix breeds? Or should you just keep each breed in separate pens?

5. I read somewhere that button quail should always be kept at 70-80 degrees. Does this apply to all quail? (I doesn't matter, I was just wondering)

6. I know that male chickens/ducks aren't supposed to eat oyster shell. Does this apply to quail roosters too?

Any additional information would be great.


Thx in advance. I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I jumping into this.

 

[Catfish267]

I just got some coturnix last week and they all broke out. I thought I had the whole thing secured but somehow they managed to escape. I got all but one back. But so far so good other than the escape. They are quiet and don't eat or drink too much. Sorry but I'm new too.

 

[bugglesmommy]

I only have Corturnix quail. I hatched my own. Only my big boy makes noise and I love his "crow". I find quail have pretty hearty appetites. Again I can only speak for Corturnix, but they aren't picky about laying spots. Some lay in the big nesting box, some prefer the dust bath. If you have multiple males in the flock they need five to seven females each. I also know that you generally shouldn't mix quail species.

 

[poultrymaniac]

Valley/gamble quail along with other North American quail species (bobwhite, scaled, mountain) are louder than the old world quail such as coturnix. Also, North American quail species are a lot more skittish while coturnix are more domesticated and wont fly up every time you open the cage. Also, coturnix lay an egg everyday for the rest of their lives (sometimes they take a day off). If you want this egg production with coturnix you will have to provide 14 hours of light a day (especially through the winter). North American quail are seasonal layers (although if you give bobwhites artificial light they will lay longer than the original season). I have coturnix, bobwhite, and valley quail, I always hear my bobwhite and valley roos call, but my coturnix rarley give their call.