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And a fine bug it is! I heard some fancy smancy restaurants like quail eggs but depending on demand he may bite off more than he can theoretically chew. I wonder what made him change his mind about poultry.
Bitten By The Poultry Bug
Apparently, my son has been bitten , but bad.
I've been out of birds for years and asked him of I got ducks, if he'd butcher culls for me. He replied he would as long as he could skin instead of pluck. I figured that would be the extent of it. He's never been interested in poultry.
Now he's checking on the ducklings and talking to them, feeding, and watering them more than I am. He's carefully making comments on their markings. He urged me to order some exhibition geese. I wasn't planning on showing geese, but he really admires the geese.
Next thing I know, he is measuring for a coop. Double glazed windows, hand made roof trusses, stud wall construction, raised floor.....
Last night, he ordered a stainless steel poultry plucker and he thinks I need a bigger better brooder. He's mulling over how to make a redwood incubator.
Now he is asking me about what is involved in raising quail.
If he raises quail, I don't think he can show quail, but he's on the slippery slope. I suspect it won't be long before he is breeding his own show birds. The only question seems to be what breed he will settle on.
And a fine bug it is! I heard some fancy smancy restaurants like quail eggs but depending on demand he may bite off more than he can theoretically chew. I wonder what made him change his mind about poultry.
Can I adopt him, please ??????????
[[[....I wonder what made him change his mind about poultry....]]]]
The only thing I can figure is it must be a life stage thing. He grew up with show horses and show dogs and worked on care and feeding, but never had any interest in exhibiting or breeding. It must just be time to pick up the hobby.
He's never owned a bird in his life but always had shelter and water out for the wild quail. I expect he'll start with breeding quail. But I'll wait and see what he decides to do. Best to leave him alone to think about it and not try to push.
Hi.... I am new one out here...Just joined the forum and opened up this thread.... I want to know that what discussion is being done out here... And what are we supposed to post in here... I shall be grateful on your assistance... Looking forward for positive response and Thanking in advance!!
Cool Springs Boot Camp
Last edited by Autoniki; 09-10-2011 at 06:15 AM.
I've been suggesting for a few years that someone take up the cause to have APA or ABA consider recognizing Coturnix quail as a species to be exhibited. They are certainly domesticated, and they come in half a dozen legitimate varieties. They would be ideal for the suburbanite to raise in a garage or basement, without the neighbors having to know, and still be able to participate in exhibition poultry. The show cage issue would need to be worked out, not that big a challenge if people were willing, but I envision it allowing a whole new subset of people to become involved in exhibition poultry who otherwise wouldn't. Just imagine the costs and space involved with producing 100 show quality quail, vs LF or even bantams. Their maturity rate is so fast that improvements in stock could take advantage of several generations in one year, instead of only one. Button quail are also another possibility, also with many varieties. Even Bobwhites have half a dozen varieties, and may be considered domesticated now.If he raises quail, I don't think he can show quail, but he's on the slippery slope. I suspect it won't be long before he is breeding his own show birds. The only question seems to be what breed he will settle on.
Autoniki, welcome to the forum.
I just saw my first live Corturnix quail yesterday. I agree with you Patrick. They are domestic poultry, take up microscopic bits of space, and their voices are quiet and pleasant, which makes them perfect for raising inside city limits.
It would be nice to get more people involved in showing poultry and the quail are an excellent point of entry into breeding and showing. It doesn't hurt that they are cute as all get-out.
Good, now be the one to get the ball rolling and start getting them exhibited. Thankfully the Guineafowl breeders paved the way when they went for recognition and the APA realized that the by-laws needed to be changed to include any other classification of fowl. Most of the hard work has been done. As I see it, they can only increase entries at shows.
I've raised coturnix for many years. They are lovely little birds, but not as easy as one would think, to raise. Before you get to heavily involved, please do some research.....I did not, and paid dearly. At least, coturnix are not very expensive to begin...and do not require permits. They are also quite easy to hatch....Look like little bugs
Tell your son to take particular care in feeding. If protein levels are not maintained properly, they will canabalize each other. That is absolutely a horrible thing to see. Their feed is expensive, and they go through more then you would think. They breed easily, and mature QUICKLY....but they are vicious to each other, so keep a kean eye on your male population.
Do not mix species! I can't stress that enough.
Make sure that there are NO holes in their netting. Rats can wipe out a whole pen in one night with nothing more then a 1" hole. Know that from experience also. Snakes love them.....tasty.
I really enjoy them....Hope your son has as much fun.
Angela
I really have to support the Button Quail....AKA: Chinese Painted. They are the cutest things, and I'm sure that your son will fall in love with them. If you have a 10 gallon aquarium, you have a habitat.Originally Posted by Patrick
Bob Whites, are aggressive and require a permit in most states. I did get busted one year raising them without a permit. Thankfully the Dept of Ag Rep is a friend, so I just ended up re-populating my farm...LOL They are also VERY slow to mature, so keep that in mind.
Angela
Yes, I know all about the downsides. We could spend all day listing the downsides of other exhibition poultry too. Mallards, Canada Geese, Woodducks and even Mandarins require permits in some states as well, so it would be no different than with them. Bobwhites would not be ideal exhibition birds either, but it could be done. Nothing is more aggressive with others of it's own species than Egyptian Geese. I just included Bobwhites as an option for a species with several mutations. Button quail would have an issue with scalping their heads on cage tops, but they are occasionally exhibited at cage bird shows with success. If someone is breeding them in the basement, and is not otherwise involved with time consuming outdoor poultry, they'd have plenty of time to cage train them.
That was NOT my intent. I was simply adding a little bit of information. I support the "quail movement", if there is to be one. I was not just supplying negatives.
I know, that's not how I meant it either. I just think that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, at least for exhibiting Cotournix.
I love the little nippers.
I've been called the Quail Queen for quite a few years now. Unfortunately, my rat problem has deprived me of any stock at this moment...but that will change....soon.
Excellent idea and one I never heard before. The problem is it makes so much sense that it will be shot down instantly. I figure the ABA is the only one foward thinking enough to even consider it.
The ABA is doing a lot, for sure, but the APA did recognize guineafowl. I would hope if this pipedream ever were to come true, that only one of the organizations would take it on. I can't see any benefit in both doing it.
Since they are primarily meat birds, and have such a short life cycle, do you think that would be a handicap? It's not like you can actually breed a line of quail...
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