King Quail Breed: The Smallest and Most Popular Bird to Keep!
If you are looking for a small, colorful, and easy-to-care-for bird, you might want to consider the King Quail Breed. These quails are also known as Chinese Painted Quails or Blue-Breasted Quails. They are native to Asia and Australia. The breed is considered one of the smallest species of quail.
You may also like them due to their distinctive appearance. It’s with a mix of blue, brown, black, and white feathers, and a rusty red underside. They are also very charming and friendly. So, they can make ideal pets for bird lovers.
In this article, we will give you a short profile of the King Quail breed. We will tell you everything you need to know about their history, appearance, personality, breeding, purpose, and care. So, let’s get it started!
Table of Contents
King Quail Breed – A Short Profile
King Quail is a popular breed known for their traits. To know about them, here is a quick overview just before the details.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coturnix chinensis |
| Common Names | King Quail, Chinese Painted Quail, Button Quail |
| Size | 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) in length |
| Color | Various colors, including brown, white, and speckled |
| Lifespan | 2-5 years, depending on care and environment |
| Habitat | Native to East Asia; adaptable to various environments |
| Temperament | Generally docile, social birds |
| Diet | Seeds, insects, and commercial game bird feed |
| Egg Production | Females lay small, speckled eggs; prolific layers |
History And Location Of King Quail Breed
King Quail, also known as Asian Blue quail, Blue-Breasted quail, Chinese Painted quail, and Chung-Chi. They belong to the Old World quail family. It’s the smallest ‘true quail’ species, found from southeastern Asia to Oceania with 9 subspecies.
People have kept these quails as pets for over 2,000 years, and they were first domesticated in China. Chinese nobility loved them for their beauty, keeping them in fancy cages. They were also used for food, medicine, feathers, and eggs.
Today, King Quails are popular in the pet trade for their looks and friendly nature. Avian enthusiasts, collectors, and even quail farmers like having them add variety to their flocks.
Physical Appearance of King Quail Breed
The King Quail breed is easily recognizable thanks to its distinctive coloration and pattern. They have a rounded body, a short tail, and a small head with a black bill and dark eyes. They have long legs and feet. It’s what helps them move quickly through dense vegetation.
King Quail Male Vs Female
The male King Quail has a blue-gray breast, a brown back, and a black face with white stripes. He also has a white spot on his forehead and a white throat.
The female King Quail is more subdued in color, with a brown breast, a buff back, and a brown face with dark stripes. She also has a white spot on her forehead and a white throat.
The King Quail breed comes in many color variations, such as silver, black, red, and white. Some of the most common color varieties are:
- Silver: This variety has a silver-gray breast, a light brown back, and a black face with white stripes. The female is similar to the male but with a lighter breast and back.
- Black: This variety has a black breast, a black back, and a black face with white stripes. The female is similar to the male but with a lighter breast and back.
- Red: This variety has a red breast, a brown back, and a black face with white stripes. The female is similar to the male but with a lighter breast and back.
- White: This variety has a white breast, a white back, and a white face with black stripes. The female is similar to the male but with a lighter face.
Take a look at the video of Button Quail or King Quail.
The Personality of the King Quail Breed
The King Quail breed is known for its charming personality and friendly disposition. They are very social and will bond with their mates and flock members.
King Quail is also very curious and will explore surroundings with interest. They are not very noisy. But they will make a series of whistles and chirps to communicate with each other.
The fun fact is they can also mimic some sounds. For example – the ringing of a phone or the clicking of a camera.
This breed is shy around people. So, they will prefer to hide in the vegetation or under the cover of their cage.
They are not very tame and will not enjoy being handled or petted. They are best observed from a distance. Where they will display their natural behavior and beauty.
The breed is also very sensitive and will need a calm and quiet environment to thrive.
The King Quail breed is compatible with other birds, such as finches, canaries, parakeets, and doves. They will not fight or bully them and will share the same space and food.
Reproduction And Breeding Of King Quail Breed
The King Quail breed is easy to breed and will reproduce readily in captivity. They are monogamous and will form a strong bond with their mate.
When does the King Quail start breeding?
The King Quail breed will breed year-round. But they will be more active in the spring and summer.
The breed will need a suitable nesting site. For example – a wooden box, a ceramic pot, or a basket filled with hay, straw, or grass. They will also appreciate some extra protein and calcium in their diet. It includes mealworms, crickets, or cuttlebones.
How long does it take for a King Quail to hatch?
King Quail Breed can take 24 hours to hatch once they break through the shell. The temperature and humidity will play a role in the length of time it takes. The incubation period for King Quail eggs is about 16 to 18 days.
The chicks will hatch fully feathered and leave the nest after a few hours. They will be independent after about 4 weeks. But they will stay with their parents until they are 6 to 8 weeks old.
How To Breed King Quail?
To breed, you need to follow the given tips –
- Introduce a male and female King Quail for breeding.
- Provide a quiet and secluded area with nesting materials.
- Monitor for eggs and collect them to prevent breakage or damage.
- Place eggs in an incubator or let the female incubate them for around 16 days.
- Once hatched, provide a warm and safe environment for the chicks.
- Offer a high-protein quail starter feed for optimal growth.
- Allow chicks to grow alongside adult quails in a secure space.
- Regularly monitor the health of breeding pairs and their offspring.
- Repeat the process for continuous breeding cycles.
How Many Eggs Do King Quail Lay?
The female King Quail will lay 5 to 13 eggs. But it depends on the size and condition of the bird.
Which Color Eggs Do King Quail Lay?
The eggs are cream-colored with brown spots, and measure about 2 cm long. However, the color variation becomes visible based on the environment and diet chart.
How many years does King Quail lay?
The King Quail will start breeding when they are 6 to 8 months old. They will continue to do so until they are 4 to 5 years old. The breed will lay eggs throughout life. But the quality and quantity will decline as they age.
Related Readings:
- California Quail Breed
- All About Blue Scale Quail
- Gambel’s Quail Breed
- Coturnix Quail Breed For Small-Scale Farming
What Purpose Does King Quail Breed Serve the Best for?
The King Quail breed is mainly kept for ornamental and pet purposes. It’s because of the attractive and entertaining facts. Here are the purposes they meet perfectly for you!
As A Pet
King Quails make great pets because of their unique colors, small size, and friendly nature. People who like pretty birds and want a friend often choose them.
For Bird Fans
People who like birds love King Quails because of their special colors and patterns. These birds are a top pick for collectors who enjoy the different and beautiful birds in aviaries.
Ornamental Use
King Quails, with their round bodies and lovely colors, are often picked to make places look pretty. Having them around can make gardens or fancy areas look even better.
Historical Use
Long ago, people used King Quails for food, medicine, feathers, and eggs. But nowadays, most people keep them not for business but because they are cute and charming.
7 Expert Tips to Raise the King Quail Breed
If you want to raise the King Quail breed successfully, you will need to follow some expert tips and advice. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Spacious and Safe Home
For quail farming or other purposes, make sure the King Quail enclosure is big enough. It should be at least 1 square foot per bird, with a secure structure. Use wire mesh or metal bars, a solid roof and floor, and a lockable door.
2. Comfortable Surroundings
Add natural or fake plants, branches, rocks, or logs for hiding and perching. Toys like bells or mirrors keep them entertained. Provide sand, gravel, or grit for digestion, and always have fresh water.
3. Balanced Diet
Feed them a good commercial quail feed with 20% protein and 5% fat. Include fresh fruits, veggies, and greens for vitamins. Add animal protein like mealworms or boiled eggs for growth. Ensure a constant supply of clean water.
4. Proper Lighting and Temperature
Give them 12 hours of daylight and darkness for a natural cycle. Keep the temperature stable between 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. Use a heat lamp or heater in winter as they can’t handle cold or drafty conditions.
5. Regular Health Checkups
Check them often for signs of illness or injury like loss of appetite, weight, or feathers. Treat them for parasites and vaccinate them against common diseases to keep them healthy.
6. Social Interaction and Enrichment
Keep them in pairs or groups as they are social birds. Interact with them regularly by talking, singing, or playing to prevent loneliness. Provide mental stimulation with new toys, treats, or challenges.
7. Humane Treatment and Safety
Ensure they have enough space, food, water, shelter, and care for their well-being. Protect them from predators like cats or dogs. Handle them gently to avoid causing any pain or injury.
Pros And Cons of Having King Quail Breed
The King Quail breed is a small, colorful, and friendly bird that can be a great pet or hobby. However, it also has some drawbacks that you should consider. Here are some of the pros and cons of having the King Quail breed:
Pros:
- Beautiful and charming
- Easy to care for and breed
- Provides meat and eggs
- Peaceful and compatible
- Quiet and discreet
Cons:
- Quite Shy
- Sensitive and nervous
- Delicate and cold-sensitive
- Disease and parasite-prone
- Predator-vulnerable
FAQs
Here are some other queries and answers about the King Quail breed –
Q. How many King Quails can I keep together?
You can keep as many King Quails as you want. A general rule of thumb is to provide at least 1 square foot of floor space per bird. Also, a height of at least 18 inches is important.
Q. How can I tame my King Quails?
You can tame your King Quails by spending some time with them. You should start by talking to them softly and calmly. Offering them some treats, such as seeds, fruits, or insects is a wise idea. Ensure you avoid grabbing or chasing them too much.
Final Word
In conclusion, the King Quail Breed is a wonderful bird to have. They can be an ideal companion for pet owners and avian enthusiasts alike. But it also has some advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of.
You should do some more research and find a reputable breeder or seller near you. They may need some extra care. So, ensure the breed gets the necessary space, equipment, and resources to keep them happy and healthy. It’s better if you follow the expert tips and advice. Good luck and Happy quailing!
