The Button Quail
Button quail
are easy keepers and prolific breeders, if
their basic requirements are met. These little Quail are the most
charming little game birds, and well suited to almost any bird
collection.
Today, the Button Quail buyer now has more than 15 different color
varieties to choose from. Here is a list of some of the
different
varieties:
Button Quail can sometimes be found in pet
stores. I
would be very careful about purchasing these Quail. Ask for records of
where they came from, if they have no records, I would not purchase
them. Purchasing Button Quail from a pet store could result in Quail
that are highly inbred. I would recommend purchasing them from a Button
Quail breeder.
Since Button Quail are so small and cute, some people will purchase
them to raise in their homes as pets. Even though these little quail
can be quite hyper and will need a couple of hiding places because
buttons are easily scared. With proper care, time and effort they can
become very tame and make great little pets.
The miniature button quail can also be kept in fish tanks. Because
button quail are quite active, it is not uncommon for them to track
through their droppings. So you should keep some type of slip proof
covering or litter on the floor. Something that is easy to maintain.
Buttons also need grit and minerals like many birds to help their
digestion and stay healthy.
Button quail can be scrappy amongst themselves. You will have to keep a
close eye on this, because the picking can result in injury or death.
Providing hiding places in their cages can help prevent this situation.
If picking would become a problem separation or debeaking may be
required.
One important thing to keep in mind, when keeping Button Quail in your
home as pets. The Button Quail life span is normally 4 to 5 years. This
life span can be reduced quite dramatically if you don't follow a
couple rules.
-
The
amount of light hours they receive per day.
-
The
right temperature.
So if you are raising the Button Quail in
your home,
they are going to receive this right combination all year round. If not
addressed your females will then lay eggs all year. Laying eggs does
take a lot out of them. So my advice would be to give them
atleast
a 3 month break per year.
You do this by cutting down on the amount of light they receive. This
is best done as a gradual process. You are the only one who really
knows the combination of daylight hours and electric light hours that
are accumulated in your home.
Whatever this amount may be, you will need to gradually reduce the
amount your Quail are receiving by covering them.
Systematically reduce the hours of light
they are
receiving on a daily basis, until they are down to no more than 8 hours
per day. Then keep them at that amount of light for at least 3 months
for rejuvenation. Once the 3 month rest period is over, just reverse
the process. Doing this will help their productivity and help them live
a full life. If you never want them laying eggs, just cover them after
8 hours
of light everyday.
When raising Button Quail for reproduction, it is possible that they
would hatch their own eggs. This would depend on the proper type of
housing and nesting area provided. But I believe most breeders will
incubate.
When pairing your breeders to reproduce. There are just some
variables that have to come together that you can't see.
Things
like compatible and fertile breeders. Their diet is also very
important. This is the one thing you do have complete control over. So
make sure your breeder Button Quail are receiving a proper breeder diet.
If you do use an incubator, make sure to follow all proper incubation
procedures. Button Quail should hatch in about 16 days, however you can
wait until day 22, by then they would have hatched if they were going
to.
Button quail are about the size of a large Easter chicken chick at
adult size. .
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