VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

Breeding of quails

BREEDING OF JAPANESE QUAILS

• Japanese quails are not particularly good breeders. 
• In an ideal situation, the hen lay her eggs (generally more than 8) in a shallow hole in a sheltered area. 
• The colour of the eggs is off white with brownish spots.  She incubates her eggs for approximately 16-18 days. 
• The young are precocious and are able to walk with their mother and pickup food almost immediately after birth. 
• The fledglings like to eat some small live food in addition to special quail food for young birds and small seeds.
• They young are independent and can be separated from their parent after about four weeks. 
• The cock does not take an active part in the incubation and rearing of young throughout the breeding season.
• He does, however, guard the nest and its surrounding area.  Egg can also be incubated in the hatchery and the young can be hand reared.  The young should be give infra red lamb brooding and feed with tropical seeds, insects and worms.