Jumbo Rosetta Coturnix Quail

Rich chocolate-brown plumage, beautiful feather detailing, and distinctive Extended Brown genetics — the Jumbo Rosetta Coturnix Quail is a striking addition to any ornamental or specialty breeding flock.

Scientific Name: Coturnix japonica
Colour Variety: Rosetta
Size Classification: Jumbo

The Jumbo Rosetta Coturnix Quail is a beautifully coloured variety characterised by deep chocolate-brown, mahogany, and warm reddish-brown plumage. Its rich pigmentation is complemented by delicate lighter feather markings, creating subtle contrast across the head, back, wings, and body.

Unlike the traditional Pharaoh Coturnix, the Rosetta displays a darker overall appearance due to the Extended Brown (EB) mutation. This mutation produces a distinctive chocolate-coloured appearance while retaining lighter feather striations.

As part of our Jumbo Coturnix range, these birds are bred from larger-bodied lines, displaying the broad breast, rounded body structure, and sturdy frame associated with Jumbo Coturnix quail.

Distinctive Characteristics

• Rich Rosetta Colouration: Deep chocolate-brown, mahogany, and reddish-brown plumage with delicate lighter feather markings.

• Extended Brown Genetics: Carries one copy of the Extended Brown (EB) allele, producing the characteristic Rosetta colouration.

• Jumbo Coturnix Build: Larger-framed birds with broad breasts and sturdy body structures.

• Non-Feather-Sexable Variety: Males and females cannot be reliably distinguished by feather colour or plumage patterns alone.

• Ornamental Appeal: An attractive variety for enthusiasts seeking richly coloured Coturnix quail.

• Breeding Potential: Particularly interesting for breeders exploring Extended Brown genetics and darker Coturnix colour varieties.

Understanding the Extended Brown (EB) Gene

The Rosetta colouration is associated with the Extended Brown (EB) mutation, which follows an autosomal incompletely dominant inheritance pattern. This means the mutation is not sex-linked, and its expression differs depending on whether a bird inherits one or two copies.

• Rosetta (1 EB copy): Heterozygous birds carrying one copy of the Extended Brown allele, typically displaying rich chocolate-brown plumage with lighter feather markings.

• Tibetan (2 EB copies): Homozygous birds carrying two copies of the Extended Brown allele, generally displaying darker, more uniformly coloured plumage.

When two Rosetta quail carrying one EB allele each are bred together, the expected genetic outcomes are approximately 25% wild-type, 50% Rosetta, and 25% Tibetan, assuming no additional colour mutations influence the offspring's appearance.

A Beautiful Combination of Colour and Genetics

The Jumbo Rosetta Coturnix Quail combines striking chocolate-brown plumage with fascinating inheritance characteristics. Whether you're expanding an ornamental flock or developing a specialised breeding programme, this variety offers an appealing combination of rich colouration, genetic interest, and Jumbo Coturnix characteristics.

Important Information

Feather Sexing: Jumbo Rosetta Coturnix quail are not feather sexable. Males and females display similar plumage characteristics, making feather colour and breast markings unreliable for determining sex. Vent sexing is recommended once birds reach sexual maturity, generally around 6–8 weeks of age.

Colour Variation: Plumage intensity, reddish undertones, and feather markings may vary between individual birds.

Genetic Inheritance: Breeding outcomes depend on the genetic makeup of both parent birds, including any additional colour mutations that may be present.