Manchurian quail is a bird of golden color, attracting with its external characteristics, high productivity, calm disposition. Animal breeding is carried out not only for the sale of meat carcasses and eggs, but also for personal pleasure. The article discusses the conditions of keeping, breeding, feeding quails.
Description and characteristics of the breed
The Manchurian quail is dominated by a golden color with a pronounced male mask. Such birds are popular for breeding for decorative purposes, because outwardly no worse than any exotic breed. But at the same time, the quail does not require so much attention.
Often the color of these animals is more dull, although diluted with a pleasant yellow color. Manchurians are medium-sized birds, but several times heavier than a wild ancestor. Females are slightly larger than males, but it is unlikely that they will be able to feed a hen more than up to 200 g.
Compared to the Texas quail broiler, Manchu birds seem small at all. The weight of the Texas quail can reach almost 500 g. If you cross with this breed of Manchu birds, you get a charming cross.
Temperament of quail
The birds are quite impulsive and capricious. Already at a young age, the largest female becomes a leader among other birds. It is she who boasts the first laid egg, which, as a rule, will be the largest, and the laying time will be the longest. The female will not allow weak individuals to approach the feeder, sometimes she can even peck her own ones. Before laying the eggs, the hen emits loud squeaks, and in the process of laying, he throws his head back.
The Manchu quail is rather shy. As soon as any external stimulus appears, they begin to rush frantically, trying to take off. In a state of affect, they stretch the body, and their feathers become excessively smooth. Peaceful birds do not try to escape from the open cage.
At full saturation, the birds doze peacefully, comfortably hiding in a shaded place. Sleep quail lying, stretching the body on the floor. Feathered can be attributed to social creatures: loneliness adversely affects their mood and well-being. When the host turns on the light in the morning, males wishing to demonstrate their importance begin to scamper around the females. If the balance of the females in the cage is disturbed, the males begin to stomp each other.
The differences between male and female
Males and females of this species are distinguished by several external and behavioral characteristics. The following points are distinguished:
- Color. Males differ in a more saturated shade than females.
- Cloacal gland. Starting from 1 month, with the onset of puberty, males are easy to identify. It is required to press on the gland, similar to a small tubercle in the area of the cloaca. When pressed, the boys get a special foamy liquid. Another sign is that the male cesspool is slightly larger than the female.
- Stretching the neck. In the third week of age, the males begin to make a characteristic squeak, while craning their necks.
- Bead on the chest. The male has no black blotches in the chest area, and the females have them. It is extremely rare that the beads may not appear.
- The number of colorful spots. Basically, the female in the color has more bright inclusions.
- The mask on the head. Only at the crown of the male has a characteristic colored spot in stripes.
Manchurian quail productivity
Quail performance is the most important indicator by which the breeder can determine the suitable breed. As for the Manchu quail, their productivity needs to be dealt with in more detail:
- The first eggs of the female begin to lay already at 5 weeks of age.
- The size of the egg is slightly larger than that of other varieties of quail, about 15 g.
- Females during the year bring 200-220 eggs.
- The weight of females reaches 300 g with good fattening, and the mass of males does not exceed 260 g already at 6 weeks of age.
- The birds differ in not a dark carcass, which is why it has an attractive presentation.
Manchurian quail has tasty, delicate, dietary meat.
There are two varieties of quail: wild and domestic. They have significant differences among themselves:
Domestic animal | Wild animal | ||||
Male live weight | Total | Commodity | Male live weight | Total | Commodity |
270 g | 190 g | 140 g | 90 g | ||
Female live weight | 300 g | 250 g | Female live weight | 150 g | 100 g |
Egg production | 220 pieces per year (less often - 280 eggs during the year) | Egg production | 220 eggs per year | ||
Egg mass | 16 g | Egg mass | 14 g |
Home Content
Breeding quails in Russia is not a simple matter, due to the cold climate of the northern strip and severe winters practically throughout the country. The Manchurian quail is a bird who loves warmth, unlike some crosses of chickens that successfully adapt to Russian winters. When keeping birds in a household, you need to understand that the cost of feed will be higher than commercial breeding.
For the correct maintenance and successful growth of birds, favorable conditions should be created for them.
Room
It doesn’t matter on which site the farm is located. An important point is the proper arrangement of the room. For quail breeding, a rural house or an insulated barn with enough space for unimpeded movement will be a suitable place.
Cell
The breeder should take into account the active mobility of the birds. For their maintenance, cages for songbirds or terrariums will be the best start. There are 6 adult birds per 30 square meters.
About how to build a quail cage with your own hands, it is written here.
Be sure to lay paper on the bottom of the cells, which is removed daily to cleanse the litter from the space. Birds like sand, in which it is convenient and comfortable for them to relax. If necessary, grow healthy young growth, planting density should be less. That is, the more individuals per 1 square meter, the greater the likelihood of mating. There is no need to install nests: laying hens prefer to lay eggs directly on the floor.
Temperature mode
The room should be 20-22 degrees. The permissible deviation is 18-25 degrees. If the temperature drops below the recommended level, a laying hen can stop the laying of eggs. It is desirable that there are no temperature differences, since this can lead to the fact that the quail will try to get into the center of the cage in every possible way, crushing the remaining birds.
Ventilation
The main condition is heat and dryness in the room, as well as fresh air, regardless of whether there are windows or not. The birds are characterized by an active metabolism, due to which birds especially need constant cooling, which will help to provide a well-ventilated room, and not cold air.
If feathers begin to drop out in animals, this is a sign of drafts in the room. The wind has a bad effect on the state of plumage and well-being: birds lose most of their feathers, egg production decreases. Therefore, it is preferable to breed birds in a room without windows.
Lighting
One of the key factors for ensuring high egg production is considered to be daylight hours. If windows are installed in the room, bright light should not penetrate, due to the negative reaction of birds to it. You can hang them with blackout curtains or paint over.
The most optimal option for lighting cells are considered ordinary lamps with a capacity of 40-50 watts. To get a quality hatching egg, the room should be light 17 hours. You need to turn on and off the light daily according to the schedule: at the same time.
Humidity
The humidity level should not be lower than 55%. In conditions of low humidity, quail begin to drink plenty of fluids, while practically refusing food, which is bad for not only the plumage, but also on the laying of eggs. Noticing that feathers have become stiff and ruffled in birds, the breeder must supply containers for natural evaporation, thereby increasing the level of moisture.
Exceeding 75% is also undesirable. The most acceptable level of humidity in a room with quail is 60%.
Industrial content
In addition to keeping Manchu quails as pets, breeders are engaged in their cultivation for the further sale of meat carcasses and eggs. This content is no different from the breeding of chicken meat and egg orientation.
The density of quail per 1 square meter depends on the size of the birds. If chickens usually have a density of 5-6 heads per 1 square meter, then the number of quail can exceed 50 goals. Golden quail is slightly larger than its counterparts belonging to the oviparous breeds, therefore it is recommended to limit their number to 50 heads per 1 square meter. The height of the cage should not be much higher than the bird itself.
The advantage of the breed is that the buyer is attracted by a quail carcass, because hemp of light feathers are not visible on the skin of the plucked carcass. And light meat does not deter inexperienced consumers. Dark quail breeds after plucking are dominated by black stumps and blackness around the abdomen. This does not add appetite.
When feeding birds for the sale of meat, there is no need to settle the males separately from the females. To obtain food quail eggs, females must be separated from males and fed with special compound feed. The remaining conditions are no different from the content of the livestock for meat.
Feeding
The basis of the diet for golden quail are grain mixtures, which include wheat, crushed corn, millet or barley. To increase the egg production, it is advisable to give the birds green feed: nettle, clover, green onions, etc.
Necessarily in the diet should be succulent plants in grated form: potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots. These foods contribute to rapid weight gain. It is important that there is a lot of warm water in the drinkers, which changes every 48 hours.
A prerequisite is the equipment of individual feeders for mineral feed, dividing them into sections. They constantly add crushed shell, chalk and gravel.
Since birth
Since birth, chicks need vitamins and minerals. For young animals, the use of high-quality feed containing many nutrients is recommended.
Chicks are fed according to a specific pattern:
Period | What to feed |
From 4 days | Introduce small crushed corn grits, cottage cheese and complete feed for chicks into the feed. |
From 8 to 20 day | The basis of the diet is only feed. Allowed to add greens, meat waste, carrots. |
From day 20 | Feed the chicks in the same way as adults. |
All products are given to birds fresh and in small quantities. To prepare the feed, all large and hard pieces are well ground. By 2.5 months, young growth completes growth and puberty begins. From the 45th day of life, most females begin to lay eggs.
It is required to feed the quail from vacuum drinking bowls, not deep or wide - the chicks can drown in them. Therefore, pebbles are placed at the bottom of the drinkers. Use boiled water.
In the period of growing up
For feeding adults, feeders and drinkers are taken out of the cage. Birds stick their heads to feed through the rods. This method is economical. Adult birds need to be fed three times a day, while spending 30 g per individual.
For females, the best food is balanced feed for laying hens. Occasionally, grain, greens, fruits, and waste from the garden can be added to grain. In the diet, crushed shells, sand, chalk, boiled fish must be present. It is important not to overfeed the birds, as obesity in females causes a decrease in egg production.
In winter
In the cold season, the usual diet should be enriched with sprouted wheat or green onions. These products help strengthen the body of the bird, because they contain a large amount of minerals.
In the summer, it is recommended to harvest dried herbs, which are an excellent vitamin bait. It is better to give preference to clover, nettle and alfalfa. Feed the birds grated carrots, cabbage leaves or potatoes daily.
Summer
The summer period is considered less costly due to the fact that there is a juicy greenery growing in the garden. At this time, you need to feed golden quail spinach, lettuce or beets. For bait, it is advisable to occasionally give the birds earthworms.
For meat
When the birds reach 2 months from birth, they are separated by gender. Males and rejected females are planted separately and begin to fatten to obtain meaty carcasses.
They feed the birds in a separate room where the temperature is set at 22 degrees and low light is provided. For birds fattening for meat, follow a different feeding regimen:
- 4 times feed quails in large portions;
- in the first half of the day feed the birds green feed;
- give cereal waste in the evening.
The feeding period lasts about 2 months. Slaughter can be done as soon as the bird has gained the necessary body weight. Before slaughter, do not feed the quail for 6 hours, leaving only water in the drinkers.
Breeding Manchu Quail
The content of Manchu quail is an important point, but without breeding, there will be practically no benefit from the economy. It is important to know the points that can effectively increase the number of birds during their rearing:
Pairing
Future parents must be 2-8 months old. Younger or more mature birds have low fertility rates. The most suitable solution would be the participation of quail from different broods for breeding - this will allow avoiding closely related crosses.
To obtain high-quality incubation eggs, one male and 3-4 females are seated in a cage specially designated for mating. The resulting resulting eggs must be stored at a temperature of 12 degrees for 5-7 days, while turning them over every two days.
Incubation
Before laying eggs in the incubator, the breeder carefully inspects them: rounded, oblong, damaged, too light or dark, with a thick shell or limescale, they are sifted out. In the incubator, lay the eggs with blunt ends up.
Particular attention is paid to the temperature and humidity that are maintained in the incubator at different times:
- 12 days: temperature - 37.7 degrees; humidity - 55-60%;
- 13-15 day: temperature - 37.2 degrees; humidity - 50%;
- 16 days before the appearance of the chicks: temperature - 37 degrees; humidity - 70%.
Read more about incubation of quail eggs here.
Growing
The first day it is especially important that the kids are not exposed to any sources of cold and drafts. When the chicks turn 7 days old, they are moved to a cage with a temperature of about 36 degrees. Each subsequent week, the temperature decreases by 4-5 degrees. Then keep the young under the same conditions as adult birds.
For feeding the Manchu people, it is best to use special feed for broilers. Additives will be useful - boiled, finely chopped eggs. Add potassium permanganate to the water for the first three days, then just a clean drink.
Read here about the types of feed for quail and proper feeding of poultry.
Quail diseases
Quail - unpretentious birds and not requiring special care. But in the absence of suitable living conditions, animals can get sick.The most common quail diseases are as follows:
Infectious diseases
Diseases that are contagious are considered the most dangerous for quail. The most common diseases are as follows:
- Pseudo-plague. May be accompanied by green droppings with spotting, unpleasant odor from the beak, immobility of birds. Also, the virus of the disease can be in the blood of quail, but not manifest. Among other things, there are minimally expressed manifestations: frequent seizures, numbness of the limbs, unnatural arrangement of the neck and head.
This disease cannot be treated on its own, as the virus can pass from birds to the breeder. A veterinarian can treat animals using strong antibiotics. - Ornithosis. The birds are tousled, contaminated, and have severe cramps leading to death. Having discovered such symptoms of ornithosis, it is required to start treatment in a timely manner. First of all, every sick bird should receive the whole complex of necessary vitamins. Along with this, the breeder must isolate the sick bird.
- Helminthiasis. An infectious disease in which parasites appear in the trachea, which makes breathing difficult for birds. Helminthiasis is also accompanied by cough and severe shortness of breath. You can treat birds only after examination by a veterinarian.
- Aspergillosis An equally terrible disease for Manchu quail is a fungal infection - aspergillosis. In adults, no symptoms may occur, but in young animals there may be such difficulties: general weakness, severe thirst, shortness of breath, cyanosis in the legs and beak.
The treatment of this disease is possible only by a veterinarian who uses effective medications, usually the hepatonic antibiotic. - Pasteurellosis. Another name for pasteurellosis is bird avian cholera. Usually, the disease develops instantly, first affecting the liver, then disrupting the metabolism, after which sepsis begins. The disease is not treatable.
Read more about quail diseases here.
How much is and where to buy?
Prices for Manchu quail in Russia range up to 200 rubles per adult.
In any case, the cost of the bird depends on its age:
- per diem quail - 25 rubles;
- weekly quail - 35 rubles;
- quail age 21 days - 60 rubles;
- monthly quail - 75 rubles.
Manchurian quail can be purchased from trusted breeders who have been breeding birds for many years and can guarantee high quality.
Shipping
Already upon reaching the chicks 2 weeks they can be transported. To do this, the quail will be placed in cardboard boxes with previously made holes for ventilation. Be sure to take into account the features of energy exchange, because the birds quickly heat themselves and the air around them. It is important that birds always have water. If long-distance transport is necessary, you should not put at risk a small quail. Transportation in this case is suitable only for adults, at least 2 months old.
Experienced poultry farmers often do not recommend taking birds in their hands, because they are very worried during contact with humans, experiencing painful sensations.
Advantages and disadvantages of poultry
The main advantages of the breed include a quick turnaround in this business. The time from the purchase of young animals to profit from the sale of meat and eggs of adult birds is minimal. At the same time, breeders do not spend a lot of money on food and the maintenance of Manchu quail.
The breed has other advantages:
- The average weight of a bird is 150 g. Carefully selected quails for incubation can gain weight up to 300 g.
- Quail eggs weigh about 15-16 g, which is much more than other breeds. For example, the weight of Japanese quail eggs is only 11 g.
- Due to the golden plumage, the Manchu people are attracted by external characteristics, respectively, are more valued.
- Birds are highly resistant to many diseases.
- Quail has a great appetite, they are not picky about food.
The disadvantages include the following points:
- Quails have average weight, because restaurants and butcher shops are reluctant to purchase them.
- The breed is characterized by small productivity indicators. On average, one quail brings about 220 eggs per year. But with a good content and a balanced diet, the egg laying rate in quail can reach 280 eggs.
Farmers Reviews
Breeders who are engaged in breeding birds respond positively to Manchu quail:
Sergeenko Victor, 56 years old, farmer.For several years now I have been breeding quail. I really like this breed, because when crossed with other species, they give large offspring, which I use to get meat. I sell meat, making a good profit. I already have regular customers.
Sofiychenko Kristina, 29 years old.I wanted an animal that would not only bring me eggs, but also satisfaction with external data. At first I had only one bird. Over time, I established contacts with experienced breeders, acquired a dozen more birds from them and began to grow quails. Today it is my business, bringing me good capital.
Krivosheyko Andrey, 34 years old, home breeding.My husband persuaded me to buy Manchu quail. I refused, guided by the fact that these birds would not be profitable due to their small size. After the appearance of the quail and their growth, I was convinced that, despite the average weight, the breed is not only beautiful in appearance, but also unpretentious. The wife managed to establish business relations with a restaurant that buys quails from us, because their portion in the institution does not exceed 150 g. They do not need larger birds.
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Manchurian quail - unique birds that attract with amazing golden plumage, inexpensive maintenance, easy care. The main thing is to ensure that the birds do not overeat, always be drunk and kept clean. Only under the right conditions will it be possible to grow a quality bird for the sale of carcasses and eggs.
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