Everything In A Nutshell About Button Quail vs. Coturnix Quail

Raising quail has become a popular hobby and farming activity around the world. The two main types of quail are Button and Coturnix.

Both Button and Coturnix make fun pets. They lay yummy eggs and can be raised for good meat, too. In addition, caring for them is easy. But there are some noteworthy differences between the two quail types. It’s good to learn about them before picking the right quail for you.

This article will compare these two quail types. We’ll look at factors like

• What they look like
• Their personalities
• How many eggs they lay
• How much meat they provide
• Where they like to live
• Business value analysis, and many other things as well.

So, read on to learn all about Button vs. Coturnix quail!

Button Quail vs. Coturnix Quail: Everything in 30 Seconds!

To have a quick view of what the entire article is about, have a look at the table below.

Appearance: Button Quail is Distinctive, But Coturnix is Classic!

Let me talk about the appearance. The verdict is unsolved here as both breeds are unique in different ways. So, it’s a tie! 

Button Quail

Button quails are the smallest quail species, with a plump, rounded body shape and a short tail. They reach about 5-9 inches long and weigh up to 130 grams. 

Their feathers come in a cryptic brown, black, and white pattern that helps them blend into their grassland habitats. 

A distinguishing feature is the male’s black chest spotting. Females lack these spots and are more uniformly brown.

Coturnix Quail

Coturnix quail has a classic teardrop-shaped body on long legs with a longer tail. They are larger than buttons, reaching about 7-9 inches long and weighing 55-100 grams. In fact, some of the Coturnix are amongst the group of largest Quail Breeds!

Coturnix plumage is quite variable, with different color morphs spanning brown, tan, white, gray, and black. Both sexes look alike. Their patterning helps camouflage them in brushy environments.

Verdict: It’s completely up to you, as different people have different choices. But both of them are good-looking and worth raising, at least considering their appearance!

Personality And Temperament: Coturnix Anyday!

Button Quails are adorable, so you can surely raise them. But since we are comparing them, I’m gonna choose Coturnix over the Buttons. Here’s how. 

Button Quails Don’t Like to be Hold

Button quails are the quietest quail breed and are also shy, timid birds that prefer to spend their time hiding in vegetation. If startled, they will freeze in place rather than flush.

Though beautiful, they do not adapt well to handling and close human interaction. Their small size and wildness make them better suited as aviary specimens than pets.

Coturnix is Best for Hand Raising!

Coturnix quail are noticeably tamer with much less of a flight response. They can be hand-raised and interact positively with keepers. Coturnix enjoys exploring its environment and can be quite active when feeling safe.

Their confidence and curiosity mean they readily adapt to poultry shows and interact with strangers. This makes them a good choice if you want an interactive bird.

Get ideas from this YT video about hand-raising Coturnix Quails: 

Verdict: See, for hand raising, Coturnix is best. They like to be held and won’t feel uncomfortable around humans. Button quails are adorable but introverted fellows.

Egg Production: Coturix has Once Again A Lead!

Button and Coturnix quail are night and day when it comes to laying eggs. The number of eggs each breed produces is very different. Let me take you to the bigger picture.

Buttons aren’t Prolific.

Button quail hens aren’t great layers. Based on studies, they only lay a few tiny eggs per year. It’s not specific, though. But if given enough light and diet, they can lay about five eggs a week. Around 150 a year. Not a very high output!

According to research, Button eggs weigh only 5.5 grams on average. Their eggs are one of the smallest among quail species. This slow egg production makes sense for Buttons. They live naturally in dry, seasonal environments where food and water are sometimes limited (Padgett and Nichols 2020). Laying a lot of eggs would be tough in the wild.

Coturnix is Better Egg-Layers

Coturnix hens live up to their reputation as egg-laying machines! Studies show each Coturnix hen can crank 200-300 eggs per year! That’s about one egg daily and way more than Buttons.

Selective breeding has made Coturnix super productive layers. Their eggs tend to be larger than Buttons, too, in the range of 8-15 grams, depending on the variety.

The abundant eggs mean Coturnix is popular for both egg sales and hatching chicks. Their rapid egg output is impressive compared to little Button Quail!

Meat Yield: Coturnix Due to Bigger Size!

Both Button and Coturnix can be raised for meat, but their carcass sizes differ. Button Quails aren’t even considered for producing dinnings, say experienced Quail raisers!

Button Quails are Impractical Meat Producer

Button Quail offers very little meat. What little they have is primarily found on the upper legs and breasts. The average yield is just 80 – 85 grams of edible meat per bird with almost no fat. But since they’re small, their meat production is surely less than that.

Their small size generally makes them impractical for meat production.

Coturnix At least Better Than Buttons

Coturnix has been selectively bred to produce a much higher meat yield. A coturnix carcass can provide 80-100 grams of tender white meat and about 5% fat. The combination of rapid growth and good feed conversion makes Coturnix a suitable table bird, at least compared to Button Quails.

Verdict: No comparison between Buttons and Coturnix! Coturnix is a better egg layer and meat producer and is good as a pet setup any day. So, Coturnix quail is over Button quail for meat production as well.

Cold Tolerance: Button Quails Are Extremely Suspectible!

When it comes to cold hardiness, there is no contest.

Button quail are extremely susceptible to temperature drops and drafts. They start becoming stressed at temperatures below 70°F and need a warm, insulated coop.

Buttons also dislike rain and dampness. Without a climate-controlled environment, these quail can quickly succumb to illness. They do best in warmer, drier climates.

Coturnix quail are moderately cold-tolerant and hardy. They can withstand temperatures (-20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit) with proper shelter from wet and wind. 

Their higher activity levels and metabolism generate more internal body heat than buttons. Coturnix is suitable for outdoor raising through the winter in many regions. Proper nutrition and dry bedding are important during cold snaps.

Verdict: Nothing to say! Coturnix is far, far harder than Button Quail.

Business Value: Who’s Other Than the Coturnix!

I have already emphasized so many comparison aspects. So, I guess you already know which breed it’s going to be. But still, I think you deserve a more clear visual of the fact. Let me be very specific and give you some insights on why Coturnix Quails are better than Button Quails.

Health Issues Overview

First, let’s take a look at health concerns between Button and Coturnix.

Overall Data Comparison

Okay, now take a look at other data comparison in a nutshell that impacts business. 

Now, you surely know what the pros and cons of raising Button Quails and Coturnix Quails. I hope I have given you a clearer picture of the economic value of both of these Quail. Now, decide what’s your purpose and what you have in these Quails!

Verdict: For commercial quail production, Coturnix is definitely the more lucrative choice. Their high-performance drives return that button quail cannot match. Of course, buttons still make wonderful aviary and exhibition birds. But for optimizing farm income, the Coturnix’s vast output is king. The numbers don’t lie!

Summary of the Study

Coturnix Quails is the ultimate winner between Button Quail vs Coturnix comparison games. Shy button quail are adorable aviary pets and require specialized care. They lay small clutches of flavorful eggs. Hardy coturnix are very productive layers, producing abundant eggs and meat. Their friendly nature also makes Coturnix great starter birds for beginners.

For homestead or commercial production, Coturnix gives better productivity. But for exhibiting birds or pets, button quails’ beauty and rarity have appeal. All in all, the needs of the individual keeper should guide the choice between these two lovely quail species.

Sources and References:

• http://aviangenetics.com/Quail/button_quail_information.html#
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119577884