Assorted plumage
Domestic Button Quail can display a broad selection of colours and markings, from softly muted shades to more striking contrasts. Individual chicks may look different from the adults pictured in a breeding group.
Heritage poultry · Manitoba, Canada
Breezy Bird Farms
Raised with care. Rooted in heritage.
Breezy Bird Farms · Specialty quail
Button Quail
Tiny birds. Remarkable personality.
Button Quail—also known as Chinese Painted Quail or King Quail—are among the smallest quail kept by poultry enthusiasts. Their quick movements, ground-dwelling habits and variety of feather colours make them a fascinating addition to the specialty birds raised at Breezy Bird Farms.
Tiny specialty quailAssorted feather coloursSpeckled eggs
A small bird with a big presence
Every little detail is part of their charm.
Explore the species, the different colour expressions and the special appeal of hatching these miniature quail.
Also known asChinese Painted / King Quail
Scientific nameSynoicus chinensis
EggshellsSmall, often olive-toned or speckled
Farm offeringsAssorted colours · seasonal availability
Discover the species
A little quail with a world of character.
The birds commonly called Button Quail in poultry keeping are Chinese Painted Quail, also called King Quail. They are ground-loving birds with lively foraging behaviour, gentle calls and a surprisingly broad range of colour expressions in domestic flocks.
Their naturally small size creates an experience quite different from keeping chicken breeds or the larger Coturnix quail. From spotting the tiny eggs to watching these alert birds move through their enclosure, Button Quail invite close observation.
Why Button Quail stand out
Small, colourful and endlessly interesting.
Part of the appeal of these miniature quail is the combination of delicate scale, varied feather patterns and naturally inquisitive behaviour.
Ground-level explorers
Button Quail spend much of their time on the ground, moving through cover, searching for food and exploring the small details of their surroundings.
Miniature eggs
The eggs are remarkably small, often with olive, brownish or cream tones and darker mottling or speckles. Natural shell colour and pattern vary among hens.
A unique species, not a tiny Coturnix.
Although both are called quail, Button Quail and Coturnix are different birds. Their size, behaviour and housing needs are not identical. Button Quail are particularly admired as small ornamental and specialty birds, while Coturnix are often raised for comparatively larger eggs and utility production.
Eggs and early life
A remarkable beginning in a very small shell.
Incubation window
Chinese Painted Quail generally hatch in roughly 16–19 days, with actual development influenced by incubation conditions and the individual eggs. Always use species-specific incubator guidance.
Newly hatched chicks
Hatchlings are exceptionally small and mobile. A prepared brooder with secure gaps, safe water access, suitable warmth and good footing helps support a successful beginning.
Egg markings
Button Quail eggs often have olive, tan or cream backgrounds and dark speckling. Natural differences from hen to hen are part of the interest of this species.
Housing and seasons
At Breezy Bird Farms, birds are raised in Manitoba with housing and care suited to the species and season. Safe, secure shelter, dry bedding, protected water and attentive winter management remain valuable for small birds.
Colour note: An assorted-colour breeding group may produce chicks with more than one feather colour or pattern. The appearance of any particular chick cannot be predicted from the name “Button Quail” alone.
“Sometimes the smallest birds leave the biggest impression.”
Breezy Bird Farms · A little wonder in every hatchQuestions about Button Quail
A few things worth knowing.
Are Button Quail the same as Coturnix quail?
No. The birds commonly sold as Button Quail are Chinese Painted or King Quail, a different species from the larger Japanese/Coturnix quail. Both are rewarding birds, but their size and care requirements differ.
What colours are available at Breezy Bird Farms?
The farm's Button Quail are presented as assorted colours. The particular colours represented can change with the breeding flock and season; check the current product listing for the most relevant information.
How long do Button Quail eggs take to hatch?
A commonly published incubation range for Chinese Painted Quail is about 16–19 days. The precise timing can vary; use appropriate incubator settings and the farm's Hatch Date Calculator for planning.
Are the chicks really that tiny?
Yes. Button Quail chicks are exceptionally small when they hatch. Preparing a secure brooder, safe drinking arrangement and appropriate footing beforehand makes their first days easier to manage.
Where can I learn how to raise them?
The farm has a separate Raising Button Quail guide covering early brooding and feeding. This breed profile is an introduction to the birds themselves.
Interested in Button Quail hatching eggs?
Explore current offerings and practical guides from Breezy Bird Farms, or return to the breed collection to discover more poultry.
This page provides general information about Chinese Painted / King Quail and the farm's assorted-colour Button Quail offering. Egg colour, size, markings, fertility, hatch timing, chicks' appearance, availability and outcomes vary. See current store listings and farm terms for individual orders.
Background references: University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web; MBGBA incubation chart; Breezy Bird Farms Raising Button Quail guide.