Button-quail Breeding

[Nrg800]

Sorry not really about Finches, but I thought this would be the best spot for it...

I am only going to have one aviary, with Finches and doves aswell, and I was wondering if I could breed Button-Quail in there... I know that the female is the dominant bird of the pair, and the only one that will incubate, but will she get aggressive if I keep the male in there aswell?

Thanks everyone
-Nathan!

[Diane]

I thought the cock does the incubating with Button quail (Turnix)?
If that's right it might be the hen you might need to move.

[VR1Ton]

Yep, it's the male that does all the work in the Button-Quail. If the cage is too small & the female is left with the male, she may call him off the nest to drive him back to nest. But this is dependant on the individual bird. I had a Painted female who actually helped the male rear the chicks, & it can be quite a regullar occurance with the smaller members of the genus. On the other hand, I've got a BBQ female who will not let the cock sit & continually calls him even before he has started to sit.

[Nrg800]

Oops xD Always get them mixed up! xD So should I try 'em once, and if it doesn't work, just note let them xD

[Diane]

I guess its going to be a case of giving it a go and see what happens. If you really want the babies and he keeps getting called of the nest it might be worth while moving the hen out for a while.

[Jayburd]

what species of button quail? wish I had access to littles but I don;t, so I'll just have to be happy (oh so hard ) with my little amily of kingies - pip, elanora, fizz 2nd, and Miss Turbulence (the most timid of the lot)

[Nrg800]

I'd very much like to get a Painted... If I do end up breeding them, you can be the first to get some

[thehammer]

wish I had access to littles but I don;t,

I’m looking for some LBQ, hopefully they’ll have some at Geelong

[Nrg800]

Are Button-quails regually sold at the bird fairs? I think I'm going to go to both the Cessnock one and the Canberra one

[desertbirds]

If the hen bird doesnt call the male off the nest,she will still need to be watched closely as some hens will kill the chicks as soon as they hear them.Ive heard of good hens in a few species but it does seem to vary.The BBBQ hen i had would be quite well behaved and sit with different cockbirds in the avairy while they were incubating, once chicks hatched she would dispose of them very quickly.Once she was removed the cocks would share responsibilty of all the chicks hatche.Most Button quail will require livefood,especially in breeding season.