Alloparenting behavior in Quails Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758) and Coturnix coturnix japonica (Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) from Pakistan

Abstract

In the present study, alloparenting behavior in Quails Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758) and Coturnix coturnix japonica (Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) was studied from Pakistan from January 2014 to December 2015). 10 adult female quails were kept in 10 compartments of a large cage (6 ft hight, 30 ft length). A total of 85 eggs were incubated including 83 of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and (Phasianus vericolor) and 3 of (Alectoris chukar), out of which 63 hatched successfully. Chicks were divided in 10 broods (B) and were introduced to quails (P). Results showed that out of total n=63, 45(71.4%) chicks were adopted and 18(28.5%) were rejected. The present study concluded that alloparental behavior does exist in quails and further research on quail’s behavior is required.