Ostriches take between two and two and a half years to reach maturity, which is
much longer than other domesticated species. This is not the case, however, when
compared with the wild or undomesticated ancestors of the present species, which
normally reach maturity after one year of age. Wild quail, on the other hand, take over a
year to mature, whereas domesticated quail mature after only six weeks. This reduction in age at maturity has been brought about by selective breeding and by the use of
stimulatory light regimes during the growing period.