Japanese Quail
Coturnix japonica
The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is a small ground-dwelling game bird from East Asia and the ancestor of the domestic coturnix quail kept for eggs, meat, and research. Wild-type birds are mottled brown and buff, a camouflage pattern suited to grassland, crop edges, and weedy fields. Domestic lines mature quickly, lay speckled eggs, and now occur in many color varieties, but they remain short-tailed, fast-moving birds that tend to flush upward when startled.
On farms and in backyards, Japanese quail are usually housed in small pens, cages, or protected aviaries rather than free-ranging like chickens. A high-protein game-bird ration, steady clean water, calcium for laying hens, and careful lighting make a large difference in production. Low or padded ceilings help prevent head injuries from sudden vertical flight. Eggs typically hatch after about 17 to 18 days of incubation, and breeders watch male-to-female ratios closely because crowded groups can lead to chasing, feather wear, and injuries.
