Instructions
Find a local quail breeder by joining a local bird or poultry association. Although many respected breeders ship birds, inspecting the birds and the breeder's aviary yourself prior to purchase gives you the best chance of buying healthy birds.
Purchase males and females from separate aviaries to be sure they are not related. Do this unless you are purchasing from a highly recommended breeder who you know has reliable breeding and selling methods. When you purchase males and females from the same breeder, you may end up with siblings, which will lead to deformities if your birds breed.
Select birds that are at least 12 weeks old. By this time, their adult coloring starts to show. You can now determine the sex so that there are no surprises when your birds mature.
Inspect the birds for any signs of illness. Do not buy birds that have runny eyes or noses, are inactive, have feces covering their vent or show signs of feather picking or other abnormal feathering. Limping, scaly legs and labored breathing are other signs of illness or injury to look for.
How to Purchase Bobwhite Quail Birds
Considered by G. E. S. Robbins, author of "Quail: Their Breeding and Management," to be a hardy species for the beginner, the bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) is also readily found in captivity. Native to much of the eastern United States, bobwhite quail are well known for their call, which sounds like "bob-white." Males have a dark brown and white striped face, while females have a dark brown and light brown striped face. As natives to a variety of climates, they do well in an outdoor aviary.