Wondering about quails flying

[SuseyQ]

Hi,
I'd like to know when quails tend to get their ability to fly? At what age? Is it when they are first hatched, in the brooder or older than 3-4 weeks?

Thank You,
SuseyQ

 

[Cindy07]

It depends on what type of quail. Bobwhites can really take off at very young age while coturnixs don't really fly much.

 

[SuseyQ]

Cindy07,
Okay, I really didn't realize the Coturnix didn't fly much. So you really don't have to worry too much about chicks escaping or the adults getting away. That's REALLY good to know. Has flying been breed out of them?

Thank You,
SuseyQ

 

[Cindy07]

Cindy07,
Okay, I really didn't realize the Coturnix didn't fly much. So you really don't have to worry too much about chicks escaping or the adults getting away. That's REALLY good to know. Has flying been breed out of them?

Thank You,
SuseyQ

The coturnix has been breed for meat so they are a pretty heavey bird. They can still fly (sort of like chickens) but they are not like the bob whites that will take off like a rocket first chance they get. I keep my coturnix in pens that have roofs but you don't have to worry about them shooting out the door past you when you go to feed them. You also have a chance of retrieving them if they do get out where as the bob whites are gone if they escape.

 

[SuseyQ]

CindyO7,
This is such good news. This is something I was concerned about with quail. I guess I need to keep my dogs inside when I'm feeding and cleaning their pens, just in case. So I can keep them in a rubber tub that's say 2' high and not have to have a lid on it, it sounds like or m/b a loose lid. I knew bob whites were challenging so they won't be my first adventure with quail.

SuseyQ

 

[Sill]

Coturnix can popcorn out of a brooder by 1-1 1/2 weeks so be careful and keep a wire or other top on your brooder. The chicks are pretty active and love trying out their wings with all that excess energy! Once they are older they settle down and are pretty docile unless spooked at which times they can flush up with tremendous force. They can boink their heads on their enclosure ceiling and cause brain injury or death. It's best to keep the ceiling (whatever it is) at 12 inches or less so they can't gain too much speed or over 5 feet so they have time to alter their trajectory and avoid colliding. You can also pad the ceiling with foam, netting or something to keep them from getting hurt. Check this thread for ideas. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/280575/show-me-you-quail-pens

 

[SuseyQ]

Sil,
I hadn't considered the popcorn effect. I had heard about keeping the ceiling levels low, which is what I'm intending to do.

Thank you for your help,
SuseyQ