Chicken, Pheasants or Quail? are more useful for eggs, meat, and pets?

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Just like the title says

 

[B. Kossum]

For me right now I would have to say quail. I just got my first batch, but I can't have chickens where I live now (because of a neighbor problem). IMO chickens have the best eggs and meat, but quail mature fast (atleast the coturnix do) and are easier to keep. If I had more space and one less bratty neighbor I would probably go with chickens though.

 

[pringle]

For meat I like quail because of there fast grow rate and that I can keep them in a small area.I don't have much land so they are was better then cornish x's.For eggs I really like chicken eggs,they are bigger and seem a bit tastier because they get too free range on the grass and eat bugs and stuff but from an economical perspective I like quail eggs because they are cheaper to produce and again I don't need a large area to keep them in.For pets chickens are my favorite,my quail don't like to be held and sometimes puke on my if I pick them up

 

[Robo]

B. Kossum :

For me right now I would have to say quail. I just got my first batch, but I can't have chickens where I live now (because of a neighbor problem). IMO chickens have the best eggs and meat, but quail mature fast (atleast the coturnix do) and are easier to keep. If I had more space and one less bratty neighbor I would probably go with chickens though.

I'll have to disagree with that. I like the taste of quail eggs and meat better, it's a personal preferance though. I can't really answer your question Rachel, do you mean more efficient or more fun, diverse, ext?​

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

More for home use like meat and eggs to eat (idk)

 

[millebantam]

Quail produce the best internet fights.

 

[Robo]

Well I'd have to say pheasants would be eliminated first, then rare species of quail and bobwhites. The real competition is now between coturnix and a dual purpose chicken breed. If you chose quail the change will be more immediate because they mature faster and you can go from ten to a hundred in four weeks. I would go with quail for this one.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

yay!
We are going to start butchering and eating our coturnix and their eggs

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:

 

[ChickenChaps]

As I was researching if I wanted quail, pheasant next.... I have had chickens for years. This is what I learned and what I chose.

Is this assuming all things equal? You already have a preditor proof structures for which ever bird you choose? I agree with Robo, pheasant is out right off. They are harder keepers, needing flight pens, expensive to buy, not pets at all (from what I read). Bobwhite quail too out as as a pet bird.

Yes, between quail and chickens...
I cant raise a chicken to eat for less than I can buy in the grocery store. I figured it out with my last hatch, It cost almost $5 per bird. Not bad, but not as cheap as the store. Although it does taste MUCH MUCH better!! And of course the eggs are great, can sell the eggs and that offsets the cost of feed. I break even with selling eggs. Chickens are neat creatures to watch, they all have personalities, they make you laugh with how silly (stupid) they can be. lol As so with quail. Quail dont take as much space to raise either.

I am new to cotournix quail, but so far, I am in LOVE. What an awesome little bird! They grow incredibly fast! Will lay eggs in 6 weeks (versus 16-20 weeks for chickens!), butcher size at 8 weeks (versus 16 weeks for chickens). Chicken being readily available anywhere, quail are not, but can be raised for meat cheaply.

So it depends really on your facilities and what you really truly want them for.

Another option is guinea's too. That will be my next venture. I hear they are great for tick patrol, and other insects. I can raise them for the same price as a chicken since they need the same feed and coop. And they reportedly taste like pheasant!! So, I can raise a high price (restarant) meal for $5 a bird? Wow! And will control the ticks which I have an issue with getting on my horses, dogs, and cats. Another great choice. (although they are noisy birds too). Again it depends on all your specific situations.