Why Raise Coturnix Quail?
Inside: Raising Coturnix quail is a great addition to any homestead, no matter the size. Especially great for those who don’t have a lot of space.
Thinking about raising quail on your homestead? I think that's great! Raising Coturnix quail is a great addition to any homestead, no matter the size. They are especially great for those who don’t have a lot of space for other types of poultry. Why do I love to raise Coturnix quail?
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Why Raise Coturnix Quail?
So maybe you’ve heard about quail but you aren’t convinced. Let me share some of my top reasons to start raising quail on your homestead.
Take Up Very Little Space.
We have changed our setup a bit over the last few months and now our quail cages are built in the space between my chicken runs. But they lived happily in rabbit hutches for the first couple of years that we kept them.
They Lay Eggs Sooner than Chickens.
Start laying eggs at about 6 – 8 weeks, if not sooner. Our first quail were laying at five weeks! I was completely shocked when I started finding eggs in our brooder our first summer of raising them.
An Egg A Day
Hens typically lay daily. The eggs are smaller, but I find them tastier. I do recommend getting quail egg scissors. On average it takes about four eggs to equal one large chicken egg.
Quick Turn Around for Meat Processing
They are also ready for processing at 6 – 8 weeks of age. We have not yet done this, it is on the to-do list for this summer. They are quick to process and you don’t have to pluck them, their skin is very thin and will actually tear before you can really pluck them
Quail are Usually Allowed
Most cities allow them as they are not considered livestock. I did not know this before we moved back home, and if I had, I would have totally had quail living in Saskatchewan.
Quail are Great for Allergies
Quail eggs have medicinal properties – great for allergies! This is the main reason I was so interested in getting quail. We have allergies literally coming out of our eyes here.
They are Great on a Budget
They don't cost a fortune to get started. Quail don't require large cages which is why they are affordable to get started with. We have used rabbit hutches up until this point. They have a small footprint, are affordable, and are available in many places.
Lower feed costs than chickens. Smaller birds, smaller stomachs, small feed cost. A large bag for 10 birds lasts roughly 3 months here. Our birds also get some treats here and there which is going to spread out the feed.
They Won't Stop Laying to Hatch
Do not go broody but they are easy to incubate. They only take about 18 to incubate and are without a doubt the funniest little birds to hatch. They pop out of their shells and start running around immediately.
How's that for starters? I truly love raising these birds. They are beautiful and easy to care for. Another batch will be going into our incubator tomorrow morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you let Coturnix quail free range? You cannot let Coturnix quail free range like chickens they aren't a bird to bed down or return to their coop at night. They just hunker down in place.
How big of a coop do I need for Coturnix quail? 0.5 to 1.0 square foot per bird
More on Coturnix Quail
How and What to Feed Coturnix Quail
