So I got my first chickens in October and although I don't think I'm going to get anymore for a while and probably no other species either, I was looking at Meyer Hatchery again (bad plan, now I want more!) And hit game birds since I heard people talking about quail and anyway....
They only have 3 species of gamebirds available:
Bobwhite Quail
Chukar Partridge
Ringneck Pheasant
https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productlist.a5w?cat=1023
And I decided to look at laws here in MA (Meyer is in OH) and it lists a different type of quail than on Meyer.
Here is there list (and you may have to scroll down because there's 2 lists, the "exotic" animals allowed and the domestic animals and i got nervous when chickens weren't on the list
but they're on domestic.
And anyway.
This is the list
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/wildlife-as-pets.html
For quail on the first list it says:
Coturnix and Button Quail
And the other list is basically the same but says:
Common Coturnix or Coturnix Quail
SO.
My, probably very very stupid question, is are Cortunix and Button Quail a different species than Bobwhite Quail? So would the Quail from Meyer's be illegal here? Or is it just a different name for the same bird?
And IF they are different species, why is one allowed and the other not?
Took this from the site and last i checked quail don't pose a danger?
Types of animals that DO NOT require a permit from MassWildlife
This category refers to animals which are wild by nature, which may be possessed, maintained, propagated, bought, sold, or imported without a MassWildlife permit and are exempt from most state requirements (M.G.L. c. 131, § 23 and 321 CMR 9.01 ). These exempt animals must be obtained from a lawful source, may not be captured or taken from the wild in Massachusetts, and may not be liberated (released) to the wild.
In order to be listed as exempt, the animal (or group of animals) must meet the following criteria:
Accidental release will not adversely affect the ecology of Massachusetts;
The animal in captivity, or if escaped, poses no substantial danger to humans, either from injury or disease;
Proper care of the animal is no more demanding than the care of common domestic animals; and
Trade in the animals has no significant adverse effect on the wild population of the animal in any of its natural habitats.
The only exempt wild animals which may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts are certain reptiles and amphibians (321 CMR 3.05). Such animals may be kept as personal pets, but may not be sold, bartered, or exchanged. The possession limit is 2 on each of these reptiles and amphibians. Allowable species include the American Bullfrog, American Toad, DeKay's Brownsnake, Eastern Gartersnake, Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Newt, Eastern Racer, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Fowler's Toad, Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, Milksnake, Mudpuppy, Northern Dusky Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Watersnake, Painted Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Red-bellied Snake, Smooth Greensnake, Snapping Turtle, Spring Peeper, and Wood Frog.
Again, probably not getting any but I got curious of the differences. But maybe one day i will raise them!!!
They only have 3 species of gamebirds available:
Bobwhite Quail
Chukar Partridge
Ringneck Pheasant
https://www.meyerhatchery.com/productlist.a5w?cat=1023
And I decided to look at laws here in MA (Meyer is in OH) and it lists a different type of quail than on Meyer.
Here is there list (and you may have to scroll down because there's 2 lists, the "exotic" animals allowed and the domestic animals and i got nervous when chickens weren't on the list
but they're on domestic. And anyway.
This is the list
http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/wildlife-as-pets.html
For quail on the first list it says:
Coturnix and Button Quail
And the other list is basically the same but says:
Common Coturnix or Coturnix Quail
SO.
My, probably very very stupid question, is are Cortunix and Button Quail a different species than Bobwhite Quail? So would the Quail from Meyer's be illegal here? Or is it just a different name for the same bird?
And IF they are different species, why is one allowed and the other not?
Took this from the site and last i checked quail don't pose a danger?
Types of animals that DO NOT require a permit from MassWildlife
This category refers to animals which are wild by nature, which may be possessed, maintained, propagated, bought, sold, or imported without a MassWildlife permit and are exempt from most state requirements (M.G.L. c. 131, § 23 and 321 CMR 9.01 ). These exempt animals must be obtained from a lawful source, may not be captured or taken from the wild in Massachusetts, and may not be liberated (released) to the wild.
In order to be listed as exempt, the animal (or group of animals) must meet the following criteria:
Accidental release will not adversely affect the ecology of Massachusetts;
The animal in captivity, or if escaped, poses no substantial danger to humans, either from injury or disease;
Proper care of the animal is no more demanding than the care of common domestic animals; and
Trade in the animals has no significant adverse effect on the wild population of the animal in any of its natural habitats.
The only exempt wild animals which may be taken from the wild in Massachusetts are certain reptiles and amphibians (321 CMR 3.05). Such animals may be kept as personal pets, but may not be sold, bartered, or exchanged. The possession limit is 2 on each of these reptiles and amphibians. Allowable species include the American Bullfrog, American Toad, DeKay's Brownsnake, Eastern Gartersnake, Eastern Musk Turtle, Eastern Newt, Eastern Racer, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Fowler's Toad, Gray Treefrog, Green Frog, Milksnake, Mudpuppy, Northern Dusky Salamander, Northern Two-lined Salamander, Northern Watersnake, Painted Turtle, Pickerel Frog, Red-bellied Snake, Smooth Greensnake, Snapping Turtle, Spring Peeper, and Wood Frog.
Again, probably not getting any but I got curious of the differences. But maybe one day i will raise them!!!
