Quail come in many different breeds and varieties. Some of the major breeds of quail include coturnix quail, bobwhite quail, button quail, and jumbo quail. Each breed has its own unique characteristics and uses. Understanding the different quail breeds can help select the right quail for a backyard flock or commercial operation.
Coturnix Quail
The coturnix quail is the most common domesticated quail breed. It originated in Asia and Europe and is now raised worldwide. Coturnix quail are small, weighing only about 4-6 ounces. They come in a wide range of plumage colors including white, brown, gray, and golden. Coturnix lay large eggs for their body size and are prolific egg layers, producing up to 300 eggs per year.
There are several advantages to raising coturnix quail:
- They mature quickly, starting egg production at 6-8 weeks old.
- Coturnix are hardy birds that adapt well to confinement.
- They require less space and housing than chickens.
- Coturnix eggs and meat are prized as gourmet items.
The main drawback to coturnix quail is their small egg and body size compared to other quail breeds. Overall, coturnix are excellent quail for small scale or commercial egg and meat production.
Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhite quail are a medium-sized quail native to North America. They are named for the distinct “bob-bob-white” call of the male birds. Bobwhites are commonly found in the wild but are also raised domestically.
Characteristics of bobwhite quail include:
- Colorful plumage in shades of brown, black, white, and buff.
- Adult weight of 6-8 ounces.
- Excellent flight ability.
- Lay large, pointed eggs well-suited for incubating.
- Prefer brushy, open habitats.
Bobwhites are valued as a sporting bird for hunting and field trials. They also provide pest control by consuming weed seeds and insects. In captivity, bobwhite can be raised for meat and egg production, though they lay fewer eggs than coturnix quail. Their natural wariness can make them more difficult to raise in confinement compared to other quail breeds.
Button Quail
Button quail are small, tropical quail native to Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are also known as pugnacious quail due to their feisty behavior. Button quail are the smallest breed of quail, weighing only 1-2 ounces. There are several color variations of button quail including:
- Tuxedo – Black with white spots
- Silver – Silvery gray plumage
- Common – Brown or tan plumage
- Painted – Bold patterns in black, brown, white
Buttons are kept as ornamental birds due to their tiny size and beautiful colors. They do produce tiny eggs but are not efficient egg layers. Button quail require plenty of hiding spots and cover due to their skittish nature. Their small size also makes them easy prey for predators.
Jumbo Quail
Jumbo quail are larger than standard quail breeds. They resulted from selective breeding of mutations of the Japanese quail. Jumbo quail average 10-14 ounces in weight compared to 4-6 ounces for standard quail. There are two main types of jumbo quail:
- Jumbo Brown – Selected for meat production
- Jumbo White – Selected for egg production
Advantages of jumbo quail include increased meat and egg yields. Jumbos produce eggs weighing about 20% more than standard sized quail eggs. However, jumbo hens tend to be less productive in terms of total eggs laid per year. Jumbo quail require separate housing from standard quail to prevent injury from mating attempts. Overall, jumbo quail provide higher yields for meat and egg production.
Other Quail Breeds
In addition to the major breeds, there are some other varieties of quail that may be found:
- Gambel’s quail – Small, plump quail of the southwestern U.S.
- California quail – West coast quail recognizable by a feather plume on their heads.
- Mountain quail – Larger Western quail with distinct scaled feather patterns.
- Montezuma quail – Mexican quail with spotted plumage and a head plume.
- Migratory quail – Various bobwhite and New World quail that migrate seasonally.
These quail species are less commonly raised domestically than the major breeds. They may be found in zoo collections or specialty breeding operations. Most quail breeds in the pet trade and commercial farming are varieties of coturnix, bobwhite, and jumbo quail.
Total Quail Breeds
In summary, while there are numerous wild quail species, the common domesticated quail breeds include:
| Breed | Description |
|---|---|
| Coturnix Quail | Small, highly productive egg layers |
| Bobwhite Quail | Medium-sized sporting and game bird |
| Button Quail | Tiny, colored ornamental quail |
| Jumbo Quail | Larger meat and egg producing quail |
In total, there are about 4 major breeds of domesticated quail worldwide. However, each breed may have multiple color varieties and strains selected for specific traits. Beyond the major breeds, there are over 100 species of wild quail found globally.
Raising Quail
With proper care, all breeds of domestic quail can be productive additions to a backyard flock or commercial operation. Here are some tips for raising healthy, productive quail:
- Provide a balanced feed specific to quail nutritional needs.
- Keep housing draft-free but well-ventilated.
- Use wire flooring to keep birds dry.
- Supply nest boxes for egg-laying.
- Collect eggs frequently to ensure freshness.
- Keep quail separated by breed and size to reduce injuries.
- Select breeds suited to project goals, whether eggs, meat, or pets.
With proper selection of breed and management, quail can be an exciting and productive livestock to raise!
Conclusion
There are 4 major breeds of domesticated quail suitable for backyard or commercial production – coturnix, bobwhite, button, and jumbo quail. Each breed has its own advantages and best uses, from prolific egg-laying to increased meat yield. Beyond the common breeds, there are hundreds of wild quail species found around the world. With some basic research into the breeds, quail can be a fun and rewarding bird to add to any poultry operation.
