Quail are quirky little creatures that, despite some having been bred domestically for over 4,000 years, maintain their skittish nature no matter how safely you keep them. They can be rewarding pets for those content with listening to their gentle calls and watching them dash around, but they aren’t the cuddliest companions.
Keep reading to learn more about how quail can be kept as pets and what to expect from pet quail.
Understanding Quail Behavior
Some quail, like the Japanese quail (or Coturnix quail) are thought to have been domesticated since the 11th or 12th centuries. Despite this, every generation seems to miss the fact that humans showing up with food every day is not, in fact, a harbinger of their doom.
Just like in the wild, quail are flighty and easy to spook. These instincts are what help them escape predators before they become a problem, but they can make domestic life a bit trickier.
While it’s possible to acclimate them to your presence, it’s good to go in with the understanding that they prefer enclosures with plenty of hiding spaces and may only ever approach you if you have tasty treats (and even then, only occasionally).
Common Types of Quail Kept as Pets
There are a few different types of quail commonly kept as pets, divided into Old World Quail (Japanese and Button quail) and New World Quail (Bobwhite, Gambel’s, and Mountain quail).
Japanese quail, also known as Coturnix quail based on the male’s crowing sounds, are largely regarded as the easiest to handle. They don’t require much space, are fairly laid-back with each other, and have plenty to offer if you’re also interested in eggs or meat. While they’re still easily spooked and fragile, their larger size makes them a bit hardier than others on this list.
Button quail are great ornamental pets you can keep inside. They’re incredibly small, only weighing about 1.4 ounces, and do well in pairs in terrariums. They were originally kept in small cages in early China and thought to bring good luck to those who care for them.
New World Quail are only recently domesticated and more difficult to care for.
The Bobwhite, which is native to much of the continental United States, have rapidly dwindling numbers due to habitat loss. They can be very aggressive and skittish in captivity and should only be kept in pairs during the breeding season. They gather into a larger group, called a covey, during the colder months but break off into pairs (sometimes monogamous and always chosen by the females) once the cold disperses.
Gambel’s quail are common to the southwest United States and easily spotted by the plumes on top of their head. They often scurry around in single-file lines, easily defined by those top-knots. These quail are very high-strung and easy to flush, and they should only be kept in aviaries where they won’t fly straight up into the ceiling.
Mountain quail appear similar to the Gambel’s quail but developed in the mountain ranges of California, Nevada, and Oregon. They’re larger than Gambel’s but have straight plumes (rather than curved) and shorter tails. They’re also more susceptible to disease than other species and can be difficult to hand-read because the parents feed the chicks in the wild.
Pet Quail Care Basics
While quail don’t require much space to live, you must be intentional in the design of their hutch or aviary. Because they can shoot straight up when they startle, quail need either a low ceiling (no more than 18 inches) or a high one (over 6 feet).
Floor space depends on the type of quail you have. They need enough room to stretch out, but not so much that they’ll be too stressed to explore. Quail need plenty of hideaways and love low-covering brush or even fake plants.
Chickens will pick on most quail, but gentler species like the Coturnix make great additions to aviaries housing finches, canaries, or budgies (as long as there’s plenty of room for all of them). They’re also great at cleaning up any seeds dropped to the ground.
Quail are also pretty easy to feed as far as exotic pets go. They need a high-quality game bird crumble, but a bag can last several months if stored properly. Like chickens, quail may also need grit to help break down anything that isn’t water soluble. Treats like fresh fruit, vegetables, wild bird seed, and insects are a great way to befriend your skittish companions.
