A Beginner's Guide to Keeping Button Quail as Pets

An Introduction to Keeping Button Quail as Pets

Button quail (Coturnix coturnix) have recently grown in popularity as pets. Often called buttonquail or just snowflakes due to their white coloring, these tiny birds have endearing personalitites and are easy to care for. If you're interested in raising button quail, this guide will provide tips on housing, feeding, handling, and more to help you successfully keep them as pets.

Button Quail Basics

Button quail are the smallest species of quail, averaging about 5-6 inches long as adults. They earned the name "buttonquail" because their body shape resembles a small round button. Weighing only 1-2 ounces, button quail are dwarfed by the bobwhite and Gambel's quail commonly hunted for sport and food.

While originally domesticated for egg and meat production like their larger cousins, button quail are now frequently kept as pets and exhibition birds. They tame easily and their friendly personalities have earned them a following with poultry enthusiasts and first-time bird owners.

Housing Your Button Quail

Proper housing is key to keeping healthy and happy button quail. As small birds, they don't need elaborate coops like chickens. Small cages or wired pens work well as long as some key considerations are met.

Space is an important factor. Allow at least 1 square foot of floor space per quail. Height is also key, with each cage level ideally 12-18 inches high to allow for hopping and flapping wing exercises. Wire flooring allows droppings to fall through easily, keeping your birds clean and healthy.

Despite their small size, button quail are active and need places to explore and hide. Provide wood blocks, boxes, branches, and bottle caps for environmental enrichment. Nesting boxes give hens a safe, cozy spot to lay their eggs.

Feeding Your Snowflake Button Quail

A balanced diet is vital to the health of your button quail flock. Feed a game bird or waterfowl ration formulated specifically for quail. This provides the 20-24% protein and calcium for proper growth and egg production.

Supplement their diet with greens, fruits, insects, and crushed oyster shell grit. Feeding a variety helps ensure birds receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Use chick-sized feeders and waters to prevent waste and contamination.

Develop a regular feeding schedule, whether offering feed free-choice or measured portions 2-3 times daily. Always provide fresh, clean water at all times. Button quail tend to splash water and soil it quickly, so change it often.

Handling and Taming Button Quail

Taming your birds will allow you to handle them for regular health checks and simply enjoy interacting with them. Button quail have naturally mild dispositions, but regular gentle handling when young will create the strongest bond.

Let young birds adjust to their new home before attempting to handle them. After a few days, begin hand feeding treats to associate your presence with good things. Move slowly and allow them to approach you at their own pace.

Use two cupped hands to gently pick up birds once they are comfortable approaching you. Do not squeeze them in your fist. Restrict movement minimally while holding and return them to their enclosure quickly. This minimizes stress.

Common Health Issues

Button quail are fairly hardy, but they can be susceptible to certain ailments. Poor diet, stress, overcrowding, and confinement can weaken immune systems. Watch for these common health issues:

• Respiratory infections
• Parasites
• Bumblefoot
• Egg binding
• Enteritis

Isolate and treat sick birds promptly to prevent spread of disease. Contact an avian veterinarian if issues persist or you are uncertain of the cause.

With attentive care in housing, feeding, and handling, button quail make delightful pets sure to bring joy. Their small size makes them an ideal introduction to keeping backyard poultry as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Button Quail

Raising button quail is very rewarding, but beginners likely have questions. Here are some frequently asked questions.

Are Button Quail Good Pets?

Yes! Their small size, quiet nature, and friendly personalities make button quail excellent pets. They are easy to handle and become very tame. Button quail interact well with people and can form strong bonds with their owners.

How Long Do Button Quail Live?

Average lifespan for a button quail is 5-6 years. Some have been known to live over 8 years when kept as single pets receiving attentive care. Proper feeding, housing, and health monitoring are key for maximizing a button quail's longevity.

Do Button Quail Lay Eggs Without a Male?

Yes. Just like chickens, female button quail do not require a male present to lay eggs. They will lay fertilized eggs only if a rooster is with them for breeding. But they will still lay unfertilized eggs consistently regardless of whether a male is present.

FAQs

Can I Keep Button Quail With Chickens?

It's not recommended. Chickens may attack, injure, or even kill smaller button quail if housed together. Even docile chickens are difficult to fully trust not to harm these tiny birds. Button quail are best kept species-separate for their health and safety.

What Do Button Quails Eat?

Feed button quail a quality game bird ration formulated specifically for quail. This supplies key nutrients like 20-24% protein and adequate calcium levels. Supplement with fresh greens, fruits, live mealworms, crickets, or chick-sized feed designed for baby chickens.

How Many Button Quail Can Live Together?

Ideal group sizes are 6-12 button quail in a cooped enclosure. Groups larger than 12 can lead to increased aggression and difficulty finding adequate food, water, and nesting resources. Always provide ample, widely-dispersed resources.

What Age Do Button Quails Lay Eggs?

Button quail mature and begin laying eggs at 6-8 weeks of age. They will be fully mature and reach maximum egg production by 12-14 weeks of age. Egg production continues strongly for the first year and may persist over 5 years with ideal care.