🥚 Coturnix (Japanese) Quail Care & Info Sheet

Coturnix quail (Coturnix japonica) are compact, gentle, and fast-growing birds often raised for their eggs, meat, or simply as low-maintenance backyard pets. With proper care, they are hardy and productive members of any small flock.

📏 Basic Info

• Lifespan: 2–4 years (sometimes longer with excellent care)

• Size: 6–8 inches in length

• Weight: 100–150 grams (hens often slightly heavier than males)

• Maturity: 6–8 weeks

• Egg Production: 200–300+ eggs per year (starting as early as 6 weeks old)

• Temperament: Calm, quiet, ground-dwelling

🏠 Housing

• Space Needs: 1 sq. ft. per bird minimum (more is better)

• Pen Height: Ideally 10–12 inches to prevent injury from flushing (sudden jumping)

• Flooring: Wire floors are common for cleanliness, but solid floors with bedding are better for foot health (use pine shavings, sand, or straw)

• Shelter: Provide draft-free, predator-proof housing if outdoors

• Lighting: 14–16 hours of light/day to encourage laying

🔒 Ensure enclosures are secure from predators—quail are small and vulnerable.

 Diet

• Starter Feed (up to 6 wks): 24–28% protein game bird or turkey starter

• Layer/Adult Feed: 18–20% protein for egg production

• Supplements: Offer crushed oyster shell or calcium grit for laying hens

• Treats: Mealworms, greens (kale, lettuce), herbs, millet spray, etc. in moderation

• Water: Always provide clean, fresh water—use quail-safe waterers to prevent drowning

Maintenance

• Clean waterers daily and feed containers regularly

• Spot clean droppings weekly; deep clean every 2–4 weeks depending on housing

• Watch for ammonia buildup if kept indoors—ventilation is crucial!

 Health & Wellness

• Common Issues: Mites, respiratory infections, foot sores (bumblefoot), calcium deficiency

• Signs of Illness: Lethargy, fluffed-up feathers, sneezing, reduced egg production, limping

• Prevention: Clean housing, quality diet, avoid overcrowding

🚫 Do not house with chickens—quail can be bullied or exposed to parasites.

🐣 Breeding Notes

• 1 male per 4–6 females is ideal for fertility

• Incubation period: ~17–18 days

• Chicks need a brooder at 95°F for the first week, reducing ~5°F per week

🐦 Fun Facts

• Coturnix quail rarely go broody—incubation is typically done artificially

• They come in a variety of colors like jumbo brown, Italian, tuxedo, and golden

• Their eggs are speckled and about 1/5 the size of a chicken egg, but packed with nutrients