Alright, this is just getting old

[Bettacreek]

Alright, so, if that's when they're supposed to start laying, then when exactly are they ready for butcher (in the case of the coturnix)? What's the average, then what's the latest? I'm really excited to try quail meat and eggs, and it just doesn't seem like it's EVER going to happen.

 

[monarc23]

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they say 6-8 weeks you can butcher...but to be honest...on 12 week old coturnix i feel the most breast meat on my adults. It's amazing what waiting a bit more can do.

The only thing i've noticed is if you wait 12 weeks that the skin doesnt come off as easily...now if you like the skin left on that's perfect lol. On the 6-8 week olds the skin comes right off pretty much wether you want it to or not (unless you're really careful) when you pluck.

 

[Bettacreek]

Actually, we like the skin. That was our only real disappointment when reading about corturnix, how it was hard to keep the skin on. Alright, I'll plan it for 12 weeks then.

The buttons are under lights now, so hopefully by 12 weeks they'll be laying eggs, darn it. How often does everyone usually lay eggs? Can I count on 5 eggs per bird per week for coturnix and buttons?

 

[monarc23]

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well then 12 weeks will deffiantly be your best bet!

I reccomend you doing a test, pick up your birds at 6-8 weeks old and then feel them again at 12 weeks you'll be amazed in the difference!

To be honest, even though buttons and coturnix do lay daily, I noticed a pattern, they seem to lay 3 days, take a break for one, lay another 3 take off for one. This is experience in MY birds indoors under lights. SO i can't say for everyones but i've read others seem to do something simliar to that as well. I have a feeling my outside birds will do the same, though I hope they dont. That one day off is annoying LOL!

 

[Bettacreek]

Ohh, while I'm at it... How many jumbo coturnix do you think it'd take to make a quart of canned meat? Just shredded meat? I know, hard question to answer, as they're all different, so give me the most birds that it would take to make a quart, or, even how many regular pharoahs, and I can use that and be fine with extra fresh meat.

Oh, and, how many coturnix eggs to make a jar of pickled eggs, and how many for button eggs? Lol. I'm sorry, I'm just SOOOO hungry and READY to get the food part of these birds down, lol.

 

[monarc23]

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oh boy lol! i honestly dont know i never canned meat before so I feel weird to guess for ya! I'd post an extra post about this question if someone else doesnt answer it soon someone else should know. I bet Tori (mrs ak) and cindy (lilralphieroosmama) would know for BOTH those questions meat and eggs.

HAHA no appologies needed! I cant wait to pickle coturnix eggs as well!
ifi had to guess how many coturnix eggs, gosh... probably 20 some.

 

[Bettacreek]

*Drools* Do you use the local red beet recipe for pickled eggs, or do you use a Southern recipe? I really want to try a southern recipe, but I'm half afraid to, lol. Why, I don't know, I've eaten southern pickled green beans before, and ohmigosh were they delicious, but, eggs, eh, I'm a little too used to the purple ones, lol.

 

[monarc23]

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I think i wanna try the southern ones... the beet ones just dont appeal to me they look pretty but im not a fan of beets...HOWEVER i think after I try the southern recipe i'm going to do the normal beet recipe. Too bad my pap isnt still around he used to pickle chciken eggs ALL the time...he would have had some great recipes for me

 

[Bettacreek]

Honestly, when I make pickled eggs/beets, I don't usually use water, sometimes I'll add a little bit, but, my beets don't taste like beets anymore, lol. They're more like a little slice (or whatever cut/style I use) of solid vinegar, lol. Let me know when you find a good Southern recipe, I'll have to try making a jar.

I wonder, can you use ACV instead of white to pickle?

 

[monarc23]

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i wouldnt see why not, acv from healthfood stores after all is way healthier i'll have to look that up