Quail. Species of quail

Quite an interesting and fascinating occupation has long been considered breeding quail. Two hundred years ago, the breeding of these birds began to spread in Japan. And although this very fascinating activity appeared in Europe not so long ago, the breeding of quails is considered very profitable and not very difficult. After all, their precocity is twice as high as the early ripeness of Peking ducks. And after 52-66 days you can get the first egg from a young quail. And meat and eggs are distinguished by high taste qualities. So, what kind of quail exist? Their breeds are very diverse: Japanese, English black, English white, tuxedo, Manchurian golden, marble, Estonian, Pharaoh and another 60 different lines.

Breeds of quails. A photo

The most common is the Japanese quail breed.

Their egg production is about 300 eggs per year. The weight of the female is 130-150 grams, the male - 110-120 grams. Egg laying begins at the age of 40-45 days. Despite the fact that their eggs weigh 10-15 grams, the total weight of eggs per year is twenty times higher than the weight of the quail itself.

Breed English black quail

This species was obtained as a result of mutations of the Japanese quail. Their body weight exceeds the Japanese weight by 6-8%. For a year from them you can get 280 eggs. The weight of the female is up to 200 grams, the male - up to 170. The main difference from the Japanese quail is the black plumage with a brownish tinge.

White English quail

This breed differs from black only by its purely white plumage, being identical in all other parameters.

Breed of marble quail

A variety of Japanese quails are marble. In addition to their coloring, they are no different from their counterparts.

Kaitavas

This Estonian breed is characterized by excellent qualities. First, their egg production is more than 300 eggs per year. Secondly, the mass of the female is equal to 190-210 grams, the weight of the male is 160-180 grams.

Manchurian golden rock

Birds of this breed have the following qualities: the weight of the female is 160-180 grams, the male - 140-160. Eggplant - 290 eggs per year.

Meat-eating quail. Breeds of meat-eating quails

Pharaoh refers to meat breed. The sizes of individuals are quite large. The weight of the female reaches 300 grams, the male - 270. The quail breeds Pharaoh lay 200-220 eggs a year. The weight of one egg can be 18 grams.

Tuxedo quail

Meat-like breed is a tuxedo quail. The breed of tuxedo quail appeared as a result of the crossing of black and white. Their body weight is lower than English, and egg production is 270 eggs per year. Their main feature is the color of plumage (the head, neck and lower part of the body are white, and the lower part of the trunk is dark with a brownish tinge).

How to contain quail

Quails are kept in cells (floor area - 100-120 cm ² per individual), height 20-25 cm. On the floor there must necessarily be a litter - sawdust or hay. The cells need to be cleaned every day. The air temperature should be kept within 13-16 degrees. As for water, it should be changed several times a day (automatic drinking bowls can be used). For the fodder, crushed wheat grains are suitable, in which fish meal, chalk, ground shells are added. In the cage there should be a container with sand (quails take baths and get rid of parasites). Cells should be regularly ventilated, but drafts should not be allowed. You can start breeding birds from two months of age (they begin to sweep from the second month of life). Then you do not need an incubator for breeding chicks. Now you know what quails are, what breeds are the most common, and how to care for them. Therefore, you will not have much difficulty in breeding these amazing birds.