Our Birds

Research & Breeding Focus: Coturnix Quail Development Program

At Pips 'n Chicks, our Coturnix quail breeding project is the heart of our work in genetic selection, applied research, and poultry advancement. We specialize in Italian and Pharaoh Coturnix, with intentional emphasis on body conformation, production traits, and plumage clarity—including the pursuit of a deep, clean black coloration within both lines. Our birds are not only bred for performance but are also evaluated against show standards, ensuring aesthetic appeal and structure align with long-term utility.

What began as a small, data-driven breeding program has grown into a fully documented and IACUC-approved project under University of Wisconsin–River Falls protocols. Our breeding birds are housed, managed, and monitored as part of an active, ethics-compliant research environment, where they contribute to ongoing studies in production, behavior, and small-scale livestock utility.

A Focus on Conformation, Color, and Performance

We are intentionally selective. Our quail are bred with a multi-trait focus that balances:

• Conformation: We prioritize solid body mass, upright carriage, wide chests, and uniform lines. Structural faults are culled heavily from breeding groups to ensure consistent, strong body type within each generation.

• Productivity: Egg production, growth rate, feed-to-weight conversion, and fertility are tracked from hatch to adulthood. We believe production and structure should not be at odds—and we select for both.

• Color and Consistency: In our Italian line, we focus on crisp contrast, even lacing, and defined golden shades. In our Pharaohs, we work toward strong base patterning with deeper, darker overlay. We are currently advancing black coloration in both lines, carefully avoiding color muddiness, dilution, or barring.

You can read more about our Italian project here, where we outline our goals to improve pattern clarity, reduce peppering, and increase the distinctiveness of both males and females.

Extensive Recordkeeping and Research-Backed Selection

All birds are tracked by individual ID from hatch. We maintain ongoing records of:

• Hatch dates and batch IDs

• Growth rate benchmarks, with weigh-ins at regular intervals

• Feed and water intake, for calculating efficiency

• Fertility and hatchability statistics

• Laying performance

• General health observations and cull notes

Data from these records drives our selection decisions. Birds that underperform, exhibit undesirable traits, or fall outside of our line goals are removed from the breeding pool. We use both quantitative metrics and phenotype scoring to guide our pairings and keep generational progress measurable.

This system allows us to make informed breeding decisions with a level of rigor similar to that used in larger-scale livestock improvement programs—something we believe small breeders can and should adopt for long-term sustainability and credibility.

Exhibition and Breed Representation

Our project doesn't stop at the farm. We regularly show our birds across a range of venues to benchmark progress against other breeders and to advocate for the quality of Coturnix quail as exhibition birds. Our Italians and Pharaohs have won top honors at:

• County-level fairs, including Champion and Reserve placements in both Open and Youth Poultry divisions

• The Wisconsin State Fair, where our birds have placed in competitive classes

• APA-sanctioned events, including the Coulee Regional Poultry Show, where our quail are exhibited alongside traditional breeds in dedicated table-top displays

By entering these events, we help promote Coturnix quail as more than just utility birds—they are genetically diverse, structurally complex, and worthy of inclusion in show circuits, youth projects, and breed development conversations.

We also use these exhibitions as educational platforms—talking with visitors about how selection, nutrition, and housing all impact the quality of the bird, and how careful breeding can elevate even common breeds to a higher standard.