Celadon Coturnix Quail

Celadon Coturnix Quail

Celadon Quail, also known as Celadon Coturnix or Celadon Blue Quail, is a unique variety of Coturnix quail that possesses a distinctive blue-green eggshell color. This color is a result of a specific gene mutation that affects the pigment deposition in the shell gland of the quail.

The Celadon gene is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning both parents must carry the gene in order to produce offspring with the celadon eggshell color. When two birds with the Celadon gene are bred together, the resulting offspring will lay eggs with the characteristic blue-green coloration. This is a recessive trait so egg color can never be guaranteed.

In addition to their eye-catching eggs, Celadon Quail are similar in appearance and behavior to other varieties of Coturnix quail. They have a compact body, small beak, and several types of feather patterns that provides effective camouflage in their natural habitats. Many people are very happy with our assorted color varieties. They are generally easy to care for and are popular among quail enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Celadon Quail can be kept for both egg production and ornamental purposes. Their unique eggs are highly sought after by collectors and can add visual interest to any egg basket or culinary creation. The eggs themselves are the same size and nutritional value as those of other Coturnix quail.

Our celadon quail are raised lovingly and humanely. We provide them with enclosures that offer protection from predators and sufficient space to move around. Quail during the rearing process have several molts. Depending on what age you purchase some feathers may be missing and growing in. This is normal.

Quail hatching eggs have a shorter incubation time than chickens, please educate yourself on hatching quail. Quail chicks are very fragile when born and require a non slip surface when hatching and in the brooder for the first 2 weeks. We highly recommend using an infrared heat lamp for quail chicks not a heat plate.

Why raise quail?

• Self Reliance – you can raise them for eggs and meat. They mature at six weeks, which is simply amazing! Laying eggs at 8-10 weeks and over 200-300 per year! They can be processed for meat at 6-8 weeks. We learned that processing is not hard, no special equipment needed.
• Simplicity – quail can be raised in “captivity”, as in they demand protective housing at all times. They don’t do well free ranging and are not like chickens. If let out they will not return. They have a lot more predators that are interested in them. Quail like the security of protective housing and are not as stressed if they feel safe. Remember stressed birds tend to have lower immunity and more susceptible to getting disease. You can look up some coop ideas online, they can have an outdoor coop with access to fresh ground or on a porch, patio, or in a home or apartment!
• Cost Effective – they are quiet compared to other fowl, and make a lovely chirp like a wild bird, you can raise them on a patio or porch and wont bother neighbors!
• Hardiness – these birds are very hardy in all temperatures and this breed is a good choice for a starter bird.
• No regulations: There are no regulations for keeping quail that we know of (but please check your state and town ordinances), like chickens or roosters in particular. The males’ crow is a soft trill, like a song-bird, and so, many urban families who cannot have roosters, opt for a few backyard quail.  You can have them in an apartment, patio, home, farm, any setting, urban or not.

Feed Recommendations: quail are considered a gamebird and need higher protein when developing. We recommend Sugar Feather Farm gamebird starter, when they are chicks and no grinding is needed up to 5 weeks, Sugar Feather Farm gamebird grower when they are growing and when adults can switch to our adult quail layer feed. 

We highly recommend using the Oil of Oregano in their water daily as a supplement to aid with digestion and overall health.

Egg Nutrition

Their eggs are tiny and PACKED with nutrients.  They are a great low-calorie, protein-rich food and are creamy and delicious. The health benefits of quail eggs include their ability to improve vision and immunity, boost energy levels, reduce inflammation, manage diabetes, promote healthy skin, prevent hair loss and stimulate growth and repair in the body. They are also claimed to help manage depression and improve sexual health.

History of the Coturnix Quail and Celadon

The Coturnix quail is originally known as the Japanese quail. They were imported into North America in the late 1800’s from Europe and Asia. There are several varieties that differ in size and colorings.  The Coturnix is the hardiest of all the quail species and most common for egg and meat production. We are excited to offer the rare variety of Celadon.  The Celadon Quail is a special variety of Coturnix Quail who carry a rare, recessive gene (the celadon gene) which causes their eggs to be a gorgeous blue color. Some are even speckled! Due to the nature of the autosomal recessive gene, not all hens that hatched from blue eggs will lay a blue egg, however the inner shell should still be blue indicating the bird is a carrier of the gene and the egg or hen of that egg should lay a blue egg if the hen is bred to a cock that hatched from a blue egg. There are no guarantees the offspring will lay blue eggs.