Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Well yesterday the the Quail had their first real taste of freedom (apart from one of the hens who flies away every time I try to fill up their feeder) We had an old rabbit run at the side of the house which had been their for absolutely years! It was used in the summers gone-by to let the tortoises, rabbits, and guinea pigs run around, but since the invention of the rablu, we hadn't really a need for it. So I dug it out yesterday, and the quail came out from the rabbit hutch to the rabbit run, they prefer it in the run, they have been dustbathing and scratching around, it's so funny! I plan for them to use it most of the time now, but I shall continue to house them in the rabbit hutch at night, and whilst "Ooops, word censored!"ody else is around. We do have another larger rabbit run, which we can use for my new flock of quail which will be arriving on the 24th, there are 11 Japs and I am picking them up from a kind lady in Telford. Apparently they are laying 6 eggs a day between them, but there are 6 or 7 females and 4 or 5 males, which I am sure will taste nice! Anyway here are some pictures of my new free-range quail. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Oh they are cute, Martin!! Lovely photos, thanks for posting them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Thanks Kate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 I was going to ask what type you had. Think if I do try some it'll be Japs am I right in thinking they're tougher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Lovely photos Martin Where do you fit all these animals, birds etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 (edited) The Japanese are the biggest type of Quail other than the Jumbo Japanese which are prodominantly used for meat. They're not as attractive as the Italian or Chinese Painted Variety. The Japanese Quail and The Californians are also the noisiest of the Quail birds, if you are thinking of a quiet variety then the Italian come out trumps. However if the quail are kept outside the sound they make is no louder than garden birds in the morning, so your neighbours won't know about them. Japanese lay the eggs that are sold in places like Tesco, Waitrose, Butchers etc. Edited June 13, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Lovely photos Martin Where do you fit all these animals, birds etc Dilly said once that my garden was like a Tardis! It really is bigger on the inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 I think Dilly must be right, are the eglus inside one another I had a peek at your blog this morning and thoroughly enjoyed reading your various adventures and looking at your pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Thanks Debs, that's really kind. The two eglus are end to end with a bit of room to get to them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 They are so cute. Will you keep them as pets/egg layers or will you eat them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Hi, this is "Tesco" my first breeding group, I will be breeding them as a hobby, I will be selling chicks, fully grown birds, eggs for eating and eggs for incubating. I already have orders for a few of the listed categories. Tesco is my current group and 2 of my new females will go into this group. I am also having another group of Japanese which will be called "Asda" made up of one of the new cocks and also 3 hens. I will have a group of Italian quail also consisting of 6 females and 1 male. This group will be called "Sainsbury's" I am picking up the 7 Italians and 11 Japanese on 24th June! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 You are turning into a bit of an entrepreneur Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 .....and guess who's near the top of the list for parting with their money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 14, 2007 Author Share Posted June 14, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 ooh, I could really fancy having my own quails eggs!!! wonder if OH would buy me another eglu? am I right in thinking they need less space than chooks? and do they lay regularly? (potters off to research quail...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 21, 2007 Author Share Posted June 21, 2007 They need 14 hours of light every day to lay an egg, so all through spring and summer really. I keep 7 in a large rabbit hutch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 hi Martin, I remember my uncle keeping some in a big hutch. do they not need grass, and freeranging and all that stuff tho? am salivating at my own hardboiled quails eggs, or poached in salads etc! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prongs Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 You really do have some great animals in that little garden of yours Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 i would love to keep quail as pets but what are they actually for? their eggs are tiny and i cant see them making a big roast dinner. are they just pets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prongs Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Get some fun out of the little cuties! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...