The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Carl f k on September 11, 2013, 08:25:14 pm

Title: Quail
Post by: Carl f k on September 11, 2013, 08:25:14 pm
I have been asked by a few people if I sell quail eggs aswell as chook n duck so thaught it's time to look in to it. Any advice appreciated know nothing about them.housing, nest box???? Please and thankyou
Title: Re: Quail
Post by: little blue on September 11, 2013, 08:54:53 pm
small house, draft proof and dry, biggish outside area with hiding places (make sure you can reach th eggs cos they seem to lay anywhere they feel like!
but give them a nest box too.

ours eat layers pellets, maize etc same as the hens, but you can get special food.

they can fight, get as many as you think you need rather than adding later,

chicks all seem to have a death wish and are totally loopy! (got some just hatched, like a room full of bumble bees!!)

ours live out all winter but the more protection from cold and wet the better

won't lay well in the winter, a bad autumn can halt laying september to easter!

boys don't crow but whistle, more evening/summer night than early morning

h.t.h  will add more as I think:)
Title: Re: Quail
Post by: Carl f k on September 12, 2013, 09:37:26 pm
Thanks little blue...got some reading to do.. Let you know if it happens...but at the mo feel like jacking it all in :( banging my head against a brick wall...wish I still had my goats I miss them
Title: Re: Quail
Post by: Clarebelle on September 13, 2013, 07:18:03 am
There have been a few posts recently about keeping quail. They are lovely birds imo, only thing I would say is that as they don't lay through winter it's probably something that should wait until the spring.

My kids love eating quails eggs, we also breed them for meat as we don't have room for chickens. I cook them in the slow cooker as that means you can get every last bit of meat off the bones. It's rich meat so you don't need alot.
Title: Re: Quail
Post by: sokel on September 13, 2013, 10:47:50 am
We have 24 eggs in the incubator at the moment from ours and eating the eggs aswell , they are lovely in Garlic mayo with salads when we have BBQs
Title: Re: Quail
Post by: Carl f k on September 13, 2013, 08:45:25 pm
That's it I've decided.. Quail it is..I have a empty double rabbit hutch to convert :excited:any1got pics of their cages? Thank u in advance