How many should I keep??

[simplyscrambled]

Yes, I know. Counting my quail before they hatch, but I have a converted rabbit cage that's 31/2' x 3'. It can be divided into 2 sections.

How many quail would be ideal for that space? How many roos and how many hens?

I know the 1 square foot per bird, so 9 makes sense, but would that be 2 roos to 7 hens? In one space or two? I'd like to hatch my own eggs, so I do want fertile eggs.

Thanks! I'll be receiving my first quail to hatch on June 15th! I'm very excited about this...

Diana

Edit: They're Jumbo Brown. Although now I'm wishing I had gotten some Golden...lol. I know where that's headed...

 

[citalk2much]

What kind of quail?

 

[monarc23]

you can always get jumbo goldens from yours truely

golden is my biggest pen

i say go by what works for your birds and what they're not cramped in. I dont go "by the book" to be honest

 

[Boyd]

I've got an 8x2 with 14 kiddos running around in there. Honestly, no one is crowded in there!!!!!

 

[simplyscrambled]

Actually I'm getting eggs from uglyduckling, and she posted them as Jumbo XLD, and I'm not sure if they could be golden too! I just assumed brown, because that's what I saw most of in her pic!

So roos can get along is the general rule? I know it depends on the birds, but are they really, really individials about it and there is no rule?

Thanks for answering my questions! I know they sound stupid even to me... lol.

Hey Boyd, how many hens to roos are running around in your 8 x 2 cage?

 

[ugly ducky]

AH HAH....I just got some Jumbo Goldens last weekend, so by the time I ship to you, I should be able to send some Goldens too if you want some.
ETA: I keep 7 hens to 2 roos in a 30" X 30" wire cage, and they get along fine. I'm honestly not sure what the XLD stands for, but my birds are nice sized, plus I just started another pen of breeders that I got from POP57, and they are really big birds. My Goldens are also really big. I think you'll be pleased with them. We processed 15 a while back, and they dressed out very nice. 2 is enough for me, but my hubby (a big eater) ate 3, and said that was plenty for him.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
right now I think they must all be roo's....... At least 8 of them I've been able to vent sex, the others didn't foam, but still crow on occasion

I've either got hermaphodite roo's or they all hang out at the blue oyster and don't believe in eggs

One way or another I am going to be getting some hens soon

Either through the eggs due tonight or maybe purchase from a breeder!!!

 

[simplyscrambled]

Quote:

Yes, please.

That's perfect then, 2 roos to 7 hens!

Boyd, keep us updated on your hatch! If it were me, I'm not sure I'd sleep a wink...


I'm just so excited about quail. I really want to be more self sustaining, even in the 'burbs, and with quail that really makes it a possibility, since I'm not allowed a rooster in my town.

I'm such a throwback in my family. My mom was horrified when I was a young teen and wanted to raise rabbits for meat. The last time I gave my oldest sister fresh eggs, I don't think she ate them, because she thought they were 'unclean' and eventually tossed them!

 

[kingmt]

Quote:
I will never understand that.