Virginian quail: description and characteristics of the breed, care and breeding

Virginian quails are medium in size. They are characterized by a high set short beak and legs with long claws without spurs. Feathers belong to the meat direction. Birds are highly productive, so many farmers grow them. In order for quails to grow normally and not get sick, they need quality care and a balanced diet.

Description and characteristics of the meat breed

This breed of quail is considered not the most common. In European countries, they are often bred as ornamental birds. The weight of the birds is 200-300 grams.They are characterized by tasty meat with a minimum of fat and a delicate taste. At the same time, quails bring a few eggs. This option is 40-60 pieces per year.

The advantage of quails is considered a decorative appearance. They are characterized by a short beak, covered with notches along the edges. At the same time, the legs are decorated with long claws. Feathers are distinguished by brown feathers. At the same time, the body is covered with lighter and darker plumage. From the forehead towards the neck are black and white stripes.

On average, the length of the body is 22 centimeters, and the tail - 6. Females are larger. At the same time, males are characterized by a contrasting shade of the head. In addition, they have a tendency to current. Quails make specific sounds to attract the opposite sex. However, a loud cry can only be heard at the beginning of spring.

Pros and cons of the virgin quail

The benefits of birds include the following:

• weight enough;
• decorative appearance;
• resistance to pathologies;
• undemanding to nutrition.

The main disadvantage is considered to be very low egg production. Virginia quails produce no more than 40-60 eggs a year.

Conditions of keeping and breeding

Birds do not need specific care. For breeding quails, cages and standard nutrition will be enough. Females tend to build their own nests. In this case, the sex ratio in the cells should approximately coincide. This is due to the fact that virgin quails are best bred in pairs.

Habitat

Most often these quails are bred in small cages. Their dimensions must be at least 120x40x30 centimeters. In this case, one of the corners of the cage must have shelter from tree bark, bushes or grass.

You don't need to make perches in the cage. Birds can spend the night on the floor, clinging to each other. The side of the cage should be at least 15 centimeters. This helps to avoid spillage of sand and feed. Also in the cages it is worth placing drinkers and feeders.

Diet

Virginian quails do not need specific nutrition. It is permissible to give them different types of food - millet, chopped barley, corn, oatmeal. Also, the birds are happy to eat millet, rapeseed, wheat, weed seeds.

In addition, the following foods should be introduced into the diet:

• cottage cheese and boiled eggs;
• mixture of crushed crackers and carrots;
• meal worms, grasshoppers, bloodworms;
• chopped vegetables - boiled potatoes, cabbage, herbs;
• chalk, eggshell, shell rock.

It is permissible to introduce bird feed into the diet of quails, mixing it with greens and egg shells. There should be 2-3 meals a day. It is advisable to do them at the same time.

Bird breeding

In indoors with natural light, the breeding season lasts from May to September. With the advent of the nesting period, it is worth increasing the amount of protein in the diet to 25-30%. Also, birds should be given minerals.

There are usually 2 females for 1 male. Sometimes birds are placed in colonies in large enclosures. However, this can cause fights between males. In this case, some of the eggs may break.

After building a nest, the female lays eggs every day. When 10-15 pieces accumulate, she begins to incubate them.On the 22-23rd day, chicks are born. With quality nutrition and proper maintenance, young animals are highly viable. Quaillings grow quickly and easily adapt to new conditions.

Possible diseases

Quails have strong immunity. However, sometimes they experience infections or non-communicable diseases that are associated with poor nutrition or care. Improper feeding causes many pathologies, so it is worth using high-quality types of food with the right composition. An overdose of vitamins and minerals can kill birds.

If you violate the diet, there is a risk of the following problems:

• prolapse of the oviduct with an egg;
• problems in shell formation;
• lack of vitamins.

Virginian quails are distinguished by high meat productivity and decorative appearance. For breeding birds to be successful, they need to provide quality care. Quality nutrition is essential.

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