Quail are part of the pheasant family and so are classified as a game bird. They originate from the Eastern hemisphere of the globe. There are several varieties of quail available, but Coturnix Quail are one of the most popular choices. Most modern domesticated quail have been breed from Japanese strains.
Some breeds of commercial quail are capable of laying eggs about the size of a 50 pence piece however most quail lay an egg between a 2p size and a 50p size. Quail eggs are more nutritious weight for weight than chickens eggs.
Chinese painted quail eggs are about the size of a 1p piece or smaller.
The chicks are precocial – meaning that they are able to walk and feed themselves almost immediately after hatching