Types of Quail for Your Homestead
Quail species you want to raise and their egg production, size, and temperament are all crucial factors in choosing between them. Species that can be kept in coveys are best for large-scale productions. Some species do well in pairs, an excellent response to a planted aviary. What types of quail should you have?
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Types of Quail for Your Homestead
Quail farming is popular with urban farms, in avian collections, and for game preserves. They are used for hunting and provide a good alternative meat source. Various quail species can be used to clean up spilled seed in a large aviary and patrol for pests. Quail eggs can be speckled or solid white, and allow diversified farm operations.
Coturnix Quail
Coturnix quail are easy to raise. They are used as meat birds and as training and hunting birds. They are full-grown at six weeks old and laying eggs. Their eggs take 17 to 18 days to hatch.
Varieties include; British Range, Tuxedo, English White, Manchurian Golden, Cinnamon, Texas A&M, and Pharoah D1. Pharoah D1 is the largest and best egg producer.
They can lay 300 eggs a year, which puts some chickens and ducks to shame!
California Quail
When people picture a quail, the California Quail probably comes to mind. The beautiful topknot is really a cluster of six overlapping feathers.
The California Quail spends most of its time on the ground searching for food. They tolerate people and can be found easily in city parks, suburban gardens, and agricultural areas.
California Quail are a great addition to an aviary with finches, softbills, or small parrots.
Bobwhite Quail
Northern Bobwhite Quail are the most popular quail breed and are used for hunting and training bird dogs and they’re great to eat.
Northern Bobwhites can be divided into 22 subspecies. The females look similar in each subspecies, the males vary. Under good conditions, Bobwhites can lay year-round.
The variety of Georgia Giant are larger than wild Bobwhites, weighing almost a pound at maturity. They produce more than 100 white eggs annually.
More Quail for Your Homestead
How To on Raising Healthy Quail
How and What to Feed Coturnix Quail
