4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[chooksy]

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

[LaPoule]

Omlet have a guide to keeping quail:

http://www.omlet.co.uk/guide/guide.php?view=Quails

 

Hope this helps!

[Lesley]

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

[chooksy]

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.

 

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

 

Will have a look, thank you

[Lewis]

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.

[chooksy]

Thank you ever so much for answering all my questions, its very much appreciated Now all I have to do is try to convince OH that its a good idea!