Drew and Alan Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 We havent got any chickens yet, as we are still renovating our chicken house and have not kept chickens before either! We were wondering if its possible to keep 'button' quails (sorry thats the only name we know them as, but they are the smaller and more colourful of the quails species) along side regular hens? Or are they too small / would get bullied etc? We are only planning to start off with 6 hens but a few little quails would be nice too... we saw some quails in the pet shop and they looked nice! (just for pets / eggs and not for breeding!) thanks for any advice you can give us! kindest regards Drew and Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I'm not sure that I'd risk it myself. Quail can be quite aggressive even though small.....and hens have been known to attack and eat small birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I'm afraid I wouldn't risk it either. A forum member had a hen eat a blue tit recently - I think the quail might be at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 They're called Chinese Painted Quail, button is the American term . They can't be kept with chickens, because they'll fight with each other, but if you wanted some a big rabbit hutch could be alright as a home for them. Japanese Quail might be better to keep (still away from the chickens) as the eggs are better and bigger. I've seen Jap quail kept with chickens but they were in a big aviary with guinea pigs, rabbits and they were only little Silver Sebrights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew and Alan Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Hi! thanks for that!!!! We wont get any quails!!! dont want to risk it!!!!!! Realy want some chickens!!!! now that we have decided to get some hens thats all we are thinking about and cant believe we didnt decide to get some earlier!! lol! Drew and Alan ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I have quail. Although they don't mix with the chickens, they are in the same walk in run in a separate run that I built for them. They love it in there. I've put a small wicker cat basket in for them to sleep in and they have shed loads of aubiouse to throw around. I wouldn't rule out quail completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 We kept the smaller breed of quail as pets when i was younger and would definately NOT put them with chickens. Unfortunately chickens, as lovely as they are can also be very cruel and just a peck or two could cause serious damage to a quail that size and as others have said...worst case scenario kill them or eat them!! I have just introduced two small ducks to my one remaining girl and even they are having a hard time poor things and they would be ginormous in comparison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
