I need a little help..

[laceynoelle]

Okay, heres the deal: I really interested in Quail, but dont havethe best idea on how to go about doing anything with them. Are they like chickens? I can handle that. So i figued i oughtta go to the profesionals in case i was wrong.

Here are my main questions.
Where do i buy them, and what hatcheries/breeders have the best reputation for quail?
Are there any Dual Purpose breeds?
Are there any show breeds?
Are they pets?
Do they taste good?
How do i house them?
Will they fly away?
Do i need a licence?
What do they eat?
Will they go broody and hatch thier own chicks, and should i let them?
What breed should i start out with?
How many should i start out with?
Are thier eggs good?

...I think thats all. lol sorry if it seems like a lot, but i like to be thorough.

 

[Teach97]

I ain't an expert but i stayed at a Motel 6 last night and drank a bunch of Mt. Dew today so i am feeling kinda spunky...here goes..

get them from breeders
dual purpose...yes..couturnix meat and eggs
show breeds...probably
pets...yes..especially the buttons
taste..not sure how many taste buds they have...oh...yes i love them
housing...all though they prefer to stay in the big house they should stay in their quail area...depends on your plans and type
fly...yes...some better than others
license - depends on type and location
eat - I feed game bird feed
broody - I ain't touching that one (some folks have very specific opinions) i incubate mine
start out with---couple pairs of each..this is a place of addicts
how many...like 100
eggs..yes they are good..unless they sit out for a long time...they won't hatch unless you put a male with the females...wait...you meant to eat..yup..make great 18 egg omlettes

I like to be pampered but my wife is mean

 

[laceynoelle]

wow....lol i think you managed to twist every question i had. nearly. and im sorry shes mean. and youre in my show!!! thanks!

 

[JJMR794]

OK LEMME SEE HERE...

Quote:

 

[worldling]

Quote:

That about covers it in my book. Unless there are species specific questions that can be answered better by others in the know about a species.
I raise coturnix quail because they are hands down the most cost effective species to raise. I'm not the most accurate bean counter on the face of the planet, and I know it may be sacrilege to say this,but they are cheaper to raise than chickens. It depends on your goals, wants and desires. If you want to raise Chickens,Turkeys, East Bolivian Gutter Snipes, or what ever, then knock yourself out. If you want to raise birds that give you 1 pound of eggs per 2 pounds of feed, and go from egg to the frying pan in 6 to 10 weeks, then go with coturnix.
If you just can't go without the taste of a bobwhite, valley or any other species of quail, then go with those, but be prepared to pay.

I'm not telling you what to choose, but I chose coturnix quail.

Just my opinion.

 

[laceynoelle]

okay, thank you everyone! Are there any serious quail deseases i should be aware of, like how turkeys are supposed to get black head? And what are youre experiences with quail from Mcmurray?

 

[Overeasyplz]

don't let chickens near em I guess there's a score of diseases quail can get from chickens. I have mine in with my rabbits (separate cages o course) in one shed and my chickens in another. I just moved to this location before the snows hit so I cannot really get to building the cages I want to. But sooooooon.... soooooooooooon... I smell spring.. I know it's coming..

 

[laceynoelle]

oh, i cant wait for spring. Do you raise rabbits to eat too? i was curious about that...

 

[Teach97]

I raise rabbits! and pigeons...and ducks...and guineas...and

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
YES THERE ARE MANY DISEASES THEY AND MOST GAMEBIRDS CAN GET FROM OTHER POULTRY. CHICKENS, TURKEYS, DUCKS, GUINEAS ARE PRIME CARRIERS OF QUITE A FEW DISEASES BUT HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY TO THEM... SO THE CARRIER NEVER COMES DOWN WITH THE DISEASE ITSELF, BUT EASILY PASSES IT ON TO ANYONE(YOUR GAMEBIRDS!) WHO DOES NOT HAVE NATURAL IMMUNITY TO THAT CONTAGEN. THIS IS MOST COMMONLY SEEN WITH PHEASANTS KEPT WITH OR NEXT TO CHICKENS, BUT IS ALSO A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH ANY AND ALL QUAIL SPECES AND PARTRIDGE SPECES AS WELL. THEY DONT HAVE TO BE MILES APART, 10 FEET IS ENOUGH SO LONG AS YOU USE STRICT BIOLOGIC ISOLATION YOU'LL BE FINE.