California Valley Quail

California Valley Quail are a very beautiful and energetic species. As are most new world quail, the Valley Quail spend time in social groups and are very alert
little birds. 'Cali Valley's are larger than Pharaoh Quail and usually measure around 10 inches in length. These little birds have a teardrop shaped crest that
hangs over their forehead. This crest is black in males and brown in hens. Both sexes have scaled breasts and elaborate markings on the shoulders and
back. The hens have a buff colored face while cocks have a black throat and face with a whitish spot above the beak. In the non-breeding season these quail
covey up and form larger groups. During breeding season, however, they can be quite aggressive with one another and should not be housed in small quarters
with more than one male with a few hens. A very interesting bird for anyone who raises quail or other gamebirds.

These birds are kept mostly as an ornamental species.
They can be raised for meat purposes but they take longer
to mature and to breed than the Pharaoh Quail or Bobwhite
Quail. They are more enjoyable as a species to keep in
pens on far sides of your property. The cock birds will call
to one another from across a distance.

Cali Valley are fed the same ration as our other quail
species. We feed them a gamebird starter/grower that
has a high protein content. We also feed them regular bird
seed. They get the occasional bread and greens for treats
as well. These birds should have an indoor enclosure in
the winter to get away from harsh weather, but can stand
the cold and heat quite well.

Valley Quail, as their name implies originate from the
western U.S. Their range stretches from as far south as
Baja, California up to Canada and east in the deserts.
This is the state bird of California and is a favorite in its
native range. It shares this area with Mountain Quail and
Gambel's Quail as well.

Valley Quail are jittery like all quail. They are easily handled
when they are finally caught. When you approach, they jump
or hide but settle down shortly. I have found that these birds
are notorious toe-pickers and should be watched carefully
when young. Alfalfa hay should be kept in their brooders to
hide little toes and to give a distraction.

The California Valley Quail have a 25ft x 20ft exterior enclosure off of the Quail Barn. This enclosure has a small concrete pond that collects water when it rains.
This mimics their natural habitat where they gather around rain pools to drink in the morning and evening. This enclosure is full of thick brush (Yucca plants,
Maples, Burning Bushes and tall grasses). Around a part of the enclosure is a sand pit that wraps around the pond and there are rock formations here and
there. Nest boxes are placed in small thickets for the hens during breeding season. There are plenty of stumps and roosts for the cock birds to watch over their
hens. The thick cover gives an advantage to any bird that is being chased around and makes the hens more secure. The Valley Quail also have a 2ft x 8ft
interior space where their feed and water is kept. There are also branches to roost on and they can be buttoned up here when there is a rough storm.