Help talk me into quail (for meat)

[sniper338]

I've had quail... they dont eat grain, that post above is wrong. They eat high protein feed crumbles. Bobwhites will eat grain, but not coturnix.

They are messy... poop machines, everywhere... plan your set up around dealing with poop. They will scatter feed like crazy and scatter water.. so poop trays under pens are not a good idea.

1/2 x 1 welded wire works good. 1 roo per 6 hens, up to 8 hens depending how much he breeds... people talk about space like they dont need much... but reality is having some space does help out. They bloody each other up fast if they dont have space. Brown are easier to keep than white... because once white get blood on em its sticks out more. You will have a blood bath with coturnix if you dont have space. Id reccommend at the least.... 2sqft per bird.. 3 to 4 would be more ideal.

They grow fast, lay fast, hatch easily... they arent hard to take care of... just need to be out of the wind and set up for poop, feed and water well to not be a pain.

They dont need nest... they lay anywhere they lay... they can be kinda loud though not as much as chickens.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Talked to the local seller and we’ve set up a day over the weekend to get a couple dozen eggs! I did some figuring out on the calendar and if everything goes to plan I should have the quail set up outside by the time I need the brooder for my chickens.

Something I haven’t put too much thought into, I have a heat plate and a heat lamp but I prefer the plate when they are indoors. I’m thinking given that quail seem to like being under stuff anyways they should take to the heat plate just fine?

 

[Nabiki]

Personally I don't care for heat plates, but there are people who swear by them. I prefer a heat lamp with a reptile heat emitter bulb. That way the chicks get a regular day/night cycle and I can see the chicks so I can tell if they're comfortable.

 

[catesquire]

I use a heat plate, works fine! You just have to adjust it super low the first few days because those babies be TINY

 

[DemeterAD9]

Numbered and ready to go, just have to candle them to check for cracks by that can wait. I’ll be setting them tomorrow to let them settle from the car ride and get to room temp. Got an extra dozen spares and apparently 2 blue ones.

I’m thinking to do a dry hatch and add water during lockdown. Current humidity seems to sit around 30-40% so I think it should be fine.

 

[GoosesGeeses]