Can you answer some questions about Quail

[MelissaRose]

Hi everyone!
I am thinking about hatching some quail chicks this spring and I was wondering what you could tell me about keeping Quail.
I would like to have them as pets and for eggs but not to eat. I have heard that coturnix quail are easier to raise, is that true? Also are jumbo quail better than standard quail?
I am hatching eggs this spring and I was thinking of hatching some quail eggs with them. Can I hatch quail and chicken eggs at the same time in the same incubator?
I am planning to build a Quail cage/coop for them so if anyone has any thoughts about that I would like to hear them.
I found these hatching eggs on eBay has anyone bought quail hatching eggs from eBay before? Do you think this is a really bad idea? Here' a screenshot of the eggs for sale on eBay:

Also how long do quail live and can they eat layer pellets/chicken feed?
Does anyone have anymore thoughts about getting quail? Has anyone ever regretted having quail? and is there anything I should know before I get some? Sorry there are so many questions!

Thanks,
~MelissaRose

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

I would feed them an all flock feed

 

[MelissaRose]

I would feed them an all flock feed

Ok, thanks!

 

[SemiQ]

Hi everyone!
I am thinking about hatching some quail chicks this spring and I was wondering what you could tell me about keeping Quail.
I would like to have them as pets and for eggs but not to eat. I have heard that coturnix quail are easier to raise, is that true? Also are jumbo quail better than standard quail?
I am hatching eggs this spring and I was thinking of hatching some quail eggs with them. Can I hatch quail and chicken eggs at the same time in the same incubator?
I am planning to build a Quail cage/coop for them so if anyone has any thoughts about that I would like to hear them.
I found these hatching eggs on eBay has anyone bought quail hatching eggs from eBay before? Do you think this is a really bad idea? Here' a screenshot of the eggs for sale on eBay:
View attachment 1688237

Also how long do quail live and can they eat layer pellets/chicken feed?
Does anyone have anymore thoughts about getting quail? Has anyone ever regretted having quail? and is there anything I should know before I get some? Sorry there are so many questions!

Thanks,
~MelissaRose

In a comparison to all the other quail; yes, coturnix are alot easier to raise. If you're just wanting a pet and egg bird, Jumbos aren't really necessary, they are more for people who want meat and Jumbo do lay slightly bigger eggs but if you are just wanting eggs than standard will do just fine.

(I got this from google).
You can hatch quail eggs with chicken eggs as the require the same temperatures and humidity levels BUT quail normally hatch on the 16-18 day mark so be prepared for that. Personally I wouldn't keep quail chicks together with chicken chicks because of their size also quail chicks have a habit of drowning themselves in their drinking water, so I would suggest putting some rocks/pebbles in their waterer.
If you're building a quail cage I suggest using mouse wire as it will help keep rats (they will kill your quail) and snakes out aswell as keep your quail in. Now some people prefer the cage to be off the ground while others like it on the ground, I have mine on the ground and they love it! I unfortunately don't, personally, know anyone who has them off the ground so I can't really say much for health benefits. If you plan on putting on the ground and are afraid of predators digging underneath just put chicken wire on the bottom and cover it with dirt. Like chickens they love dust bathing so make sure there's plenty of dirt for them also try putting things they can hide under; like branches, logs and little plants. They don't roost like chickens so make sure they've got a hut or something they can sleep in. Quail will knock their water over so make it's big and heavy. They also like to throw their food EVERYWHERE so I suggest you throw the food straight on the ground or be prepared to find the food all over the ground anyway. They do this weird thing when it's hot; they dig a hole lay in it on their side and stretch their legs out, it may look like their dead but it's just how they relax.

(Picture of my minuscule setup)
I have never brought eggs from ebay but alot of people on here have and there are actually alot of reliable sources on there, I'd try looking at the reviews if there are any. Since they are shipped you probably wont have the greatest hatch rate anyway but when you get let them sit for a day or two, so the air sack can reattach itself.
Quail live for about 3-5 years, if they're taken care of well they can live for even longer! You can not feed quail chicken food because they are game birds and gameburds need more protein than chickens, like crazy4ChickensNducks said you can try all flock feed or you can try game bird feed (you should be able to get it at your feedstore) like chickens they have starter, finisher and maintenance feed. Quail also tend to be very feisty. Quail are cool little creatures and are very fun to watch! I love mine and when you get yours you'll love 'em too!

(If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!)

 

[MelissaRose]

In a comparison to all the other quail; yes, coturnix are alot easier to raise. If you're just wanting a pet and egg bird, Jumbos aren't really necessary, they are more for people who want meat and Jumbo do lay slightly bigger eggs but if you are just wanting eggs than standard will do just fine.
View attachment 1688800
(I got this from google).
You can hatch quail eggs with chicken eggs as the require the same temperatures and humidity levels BUT quail normally hatch on the 16-18 day mark so be prepared for that. Personally I wouldn't keep quail chicks together with chicken chicks because of their size also quail chicks have a habit of drowning themselves in their drinking water, so I would suggest putting some rocks/pebbles in their waterer.
If you're building a quail cage I suggest using mouse wire as it will help keep rats (they will kill your quail) and snakes out aswell as keep your quail in. Now some people prefer the cage to be off the ground while others like it on the ground, I have mine on the ground and they love it! I unfortunately don't, personally, know anyone who has them off the ground so I can't really say much for health benefits. If you plan on putting on the ground and are afraid of predators digging underneath just put chicken wire on the bottom and cover it with dirt. Like chickens they love dust bathing so make sure there's plenty of dirt for them also try putting things they can hide under; like branches, logs and little plants. They don't roost like chickens so make sure they've got a hut or something they can sleep in. Quail will knock their water over so make it's big and heavy. They also like to throw their food EVERYWHERE so I suggest you throw the food straight on the ground or be prepared to find the food all over the ground anyway. They do this weird thing when it's hot; they dig a hole lay in it on their side and stretch their legs out, it may look like their dead but it's just how they relax.
View attachment 1688990
(Picture of my minuscule setup)
I have never brought eggs from ebay but alot of people on here have and there are actually alot of reliable sources on there, I'd try looking at the reviews if there are any. Since they are shipped you probably wont have the greatest hatch rate anyway but when you get let them sit for a day or two, so the air sack can reattach itself.
Quail live for about 3-5 years, if they're taken care of well they can live for even longer! You can not feed quail chicken food because they are game birds and gameburds need more protein than chickens, like crazy4ChickensNducks said you can try all flock feed or you can try game bird feed (you should be able to get it at your feedstore) like chickens they have starter, finisher and maintenance feed. Quail also tend to be very feisty. Quail are cool little creatures and are very fun to watch! I love mine and when you get yours you'll love 'em too!

(If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!)

Wow! thank you for that info @SemiQ
Does it take 18 days for coturnix quail eggs to hatch?
Would you recommend hatching them separately from chicken eggs? I have one incubator and I am planning to hatch some chicken eggs on the thirtieth, I was planning to hatch the quail eggs at the same time. If it only takes 18 days to hatch I'll just order them right away and there would be time to hatch them, assuming they get to me ok, before I hatch the chicken eggs.

 

[MelissaRose]

Which one would you all choose:

The first one is six for $10, and the second one is ten for $15. If I get the larger one, there is a bigger chance of more hatching, but it's also more money and more eggs that could break.
The seller has 100% buyer satisfaction so I think its probably ok.

 

[feedman77]

1.50 an egg seems a little high to me.
Usually there are some on there that are a lot cheaper. Those are assortment eggs. Just a mix. But if that's what you wanna try go for it.

 

[feedman77]

183710281475. This an item number off ebay for eggs check it out.

24 plus eggs for 20. Mixed eggs but has pics of birds.
Not sure of your budget or incubator size. But another choice

 

[muddy75]

I have purchased all my coturnix hatching eggs from myshire farm (ebay jenna green) color variations available....high quality and affordable.

 

[MelissaRose]

I have purchased all my coturnix hatching eggs from myshire farm (ebay jenna green) color variations available....high quality and affordable.

Ok, thanks I'll check it out!