Guide to Keeping Quail

Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:08 am

Hi,

Just wondering, is there anywhere on the forum/internet where I can find a guide to keeping quail? I've always been fascinated by these little creatures but don't really know anything about them. I love quail eggs, they're so pretty and very yummy! Which are the best quail for eggs? What is the ideal set up to keep them in? How many eggs (ish) do they lay each year. How should they be best kept (males to females ratio). How messy are they?

Sorry for all the questions!!

H x

Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:08 pm

Omlet have a guide to keeping quail:
http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Quails

Hope this helps!

Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:19 pm

....also, see if you can get a copy of Keeping Quail by Katie Thear.

Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:39 pm

LaPoule wrote:Omlet have a guide to keeping quail:
http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Quails

Hope this helps!

Why didn't I think to look there - doh! Thanks for posting the link.

Lesley wrote:....also, see if you can get a copy of Keeping Quail by Katie Thear.

Will have a look, thank you

Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:28 pm

Which are the best quail for eggs?
Japanese Quail

What is the ideal set up to keep them in?
In a rabbit hutch and run, in the bottom of an aviary or a smallish WIR. They're really good escape artists, so make sure you keep one wing clipped and be careful when feeding them that they don't jump out. You might want to look at paddind the roof as they 'boing' when frightened/excited and can do some damage to their heads.

How many eggs (ish) do they lay each year.
1 egg a day provided they have enough hours of light. I give mine a break over the winter months and leave the light off.

How should they be best kept (males to females ratio).
1:4, any lower and there is too much 'attention' from the male and they start to get scruffy and can really suffer.

How messy are they?
I'd say messier than the chickens, they flick food and water everywhere and dustbathe everywhere, but they're easy enough to keep.