. little button quail
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- An Australian Quail
- Scientific Name: Turnix velox
- Common Name/s:
LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL, LITTLE QUAIL.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
None
- Origin / Distribution: Most of
arid and semi-arid Australia but not Tasmania.
- Habitat In Wild: As diverse as
their range, including the arid interior. Adapted to cereal
crop farms.
- Status In Wild: Secure, but
subject to predation from feral introduced animals such as cats and
foxes.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Secure.
- Age To Sexual Maturity: about 3
- 4
months.
- Adult plumage: attained at about
?
months
- Best breeding years (estimate):
6 months to about 3rd year
- Sexing: Monomorphic /
Dimorphic. Non breeding birds can be hard to sex.
- Colour mutations: None.
- Availability: Bird dealers and
specialist breeders.
- Temperament: Easy to breed
provided the quail are given suitable aviary and conditions. Best
results are with one pair per aviary (or one hen with two cock
birds) but are generally compatible with finches and small parrots.
As with other quail, they prefer an area of long grass and shrubs to
feel secure. Without adequate cover the birds may fly vertically
and hit the roof and cause head injury or death. Wing feather
clipping is commonly used to avoid the birds hitting the roof. Does
not "call" at night so will not upset the neighbours. Hatchlings
can get through 13mm (half inch) aviary wire netting.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $120
- Description Of Adults: As its
name implies, it is one of the smallest of the Button quail. Hens
are generally
bigger and heavier than cock birds and they have brighter plumage.
- Length: Up to approx. 150 mm (or up to approx. 6
inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. up to 60 gms (or approx. 2 ozs)
Aviary
Notes:
Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate
/ Advanced / Specialist
Breeders Only.
Government Regulations & By-Laws:
Refer to " Government Laws " web page.
Housing Requirements: Refer to "
Quail " web page for general
details on the housing of Quail or read on for specific details for
this bird.
Compatible with most finches, small
parrots, doves and pigeons. Best breeding results are with one pair per
aviary. Growing tall grasses, New Guinea grass or cereal grains
(eg. wheat) will help this species feel happy and secure.
If little Button quail are startled they tend to fly
off the floor at a steep angle and often hit the roof at a solid speed.
This can cause severe head injuries or at worst the death of the quail.
Wing feather clipping can minimize this potential problem. Wing
feather clipping also minimizes the risk of the quail flying into or
onto the finch nesting sites and disturbing the nesting or roosting
finches and/or small parrots.
Diet / Feeding: Refer to "
Quail " web page for general
details on the feeding of Quail or read on for specific details for
this bird.
Good quality finch or small parrot mix
plus insects and vegetable green foods and seeding grasses as per
"Quail" web page. May eat some of the commercial poultry pellets.
Adequate supply of insects is essential at breeding time.
Mealworms, small cockroaches and small crickets are ideal.
Nesting:
- Nesting months: Will
breed year round. Seasons spring to autumn are generally the
most productive.
- Nest location: On the
floor in a nest usually at the back of the aviary in a
secluded spot.
- Nest material: They
may build a substantial nest of dry grasses and other materials and
lined with soft materials.
- Who incubates the egg/s:
Hen
/ Cock / both share.
Breeding: Egg Colour
Off white with dark brown speckles. Clutch/s per year..
multiple, usually 2 - 3. Eggs per nest 3 - 5. Incubation
approx. 14 days.
Independent approx. 3 - 4 weeks.
Compatible with most finches, small
parrots, doves and pigeons. Best breeding results are with one pair per
aviary. They develop strong pair bonds. Easy to breed if the
aviary is to their liking. Once the hen has laid a full clutch
many aviculturalists will remove the hen so the cock bird is not
distracted from his duty of incubating the eggs and raising the young.
When the babies hatch the cock bird supplies food from his beak directly
into the babies beak. Generally the hen does not get involved in
the feeding and raising of the young. The young will start to feed
themselves during the second week. The cock bird will offer the
young food till they become independent at the about the 3rd or 4th
week.
Adequate supply of insects is essential
at breeding time.
Artificial incubation and hand
rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is
too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.
Health Issues: Refer to "Avian
Health Issues" web page for information and references.
- Worming and parasite control
and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are
considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on
this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues"
web page option.
- Avian medicine is advancing
at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.
General
References: Refer to references listed on "Book References"
web page.
Specific
References:
- Australian Aviculture
- A/A Vol 59 No. 9 Sept 2005 Page 198.
- A/A Vol 50 No. 4 Apr 1996 Page 82-88
- A/A Vol 10 No 7 Jul 1956 Page 86-87.
- A/A Vol 5 No 10 Oct 1951 Page 116-118.
- A/A Vol 3 No 9 Sept 1949 Page 99.
- Australian Birdkeeper
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