Quail females are acquired in order to provide themselves with quail eggs later. But at the same time, it is more difficult to keep a quail female: she needs certain conditions, warmth, a constant change of food. Therefore, it is better to buy a male for decorative purposes. How to distinguish between females and males?
It is necessary
quail female, quail male
Instructions
Step 1
First of all, decide what kind of quail you want to buy. Depending on the species, the rules for distinguishing between females and males will be different.
Step 2
If you choose wild-colored Japanese quails, then look at the breasts of birds that are three to four weeks old. If the feathers on the chest are bright red and there are no dark spots, then this is definitely a male. If you see yellowish-gray feathers with darkish blotches, then this is a female.
Step 3
If your choice is colored quails, then wait until the birds are two months old. Feel the skin on the belly of the bird: during this period, in the female, through the skin of the belly, you can feel the ends of the pubic bones, which diverge widely in the area of the cloaca. But in the male, such bones will be located nearby. Keep in mind that in an immature female, these bones are similar to those of a male. Therefore, it is very important that the birds are at least two months old.
Step 4
Watch the quails and listen to the sounds they make. The male quail periodically publishes very harsh cries. This sound is so harsh that you can easily distinguish the male from the "silent" females.
Step 5
If there is no time to watch birds, then take the quail in your hands and examine very carefully the place between its tail and cesspool. If this is a male, then you will find a rather large "bump" there - this is a gland that only the male has. If you press on this gland, then a white foamy secret emerges from the bird's cloaca.
Step 6
If you choose birds that are not in a cage, but in a spacious area, take a closer look at how quails mate. The male tries to grab the female by the back of the head with his beak, after which he pulls the female's head back or sideways. After that, he presses against the female for a couple of seconds from behind. However, this method is suitable for people who are more experienced in breeding birds, because sometimes females act in the same way in a fight.
