Is it even possible?

[USAmma]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to come here and ask some questions about keeping quail. I have never kept game birds before. I do have two conures and a flock of budgies.

We are vegetarian and I try my best to buy "ethical" eggs. I have found a local farmer willing to sell me chicken eggs, but it's a long drive. The free range eggs are expensive and we eat a lot of eggs in our family.

So, I had this wild idea about getting a flock of quail and having them provide eggs for our family, as well as pet entertainment.

We live in an area that forbids livestock including chickens. I don't know if quail would be considered livestock. My neighbors kept a large outdoor aviary of noisy cockatiels, and my other neighbors have a loud barking dog, so I could probably justify the quail if they are not too loud. I can also get already hatched quail so I would not have to deal with hatching eggs or raising chicks.

First question is, how loud are they? If I did not get the males and just kept females would they be relatively quiet with just occasional cooing or whatever they do, or would they make constant noise that could bother someone?

I live in the Phoenix area and it gets extremely hot during the summer months. I know people here keep quail year-round but I wanted to ask if you all think it's okay to have them outside when it's over 110 degrees?? I could possibly bring them in the house in our numerous bird cages during the worst days, but would it be okay to do this?

How many eggs do they lay? What is the best kind of quail to get, considering my desire for eggs, quietness, etc.? How long do they live? Do you take your quail in at night to keep them safe from predators?

What kind of shelter or coop do they need? I was looking at some simple A-framed coops with a shelter at the back. Would these be adequate?

How much time per day do they require? How much would it cost to feed say, a dozen hens for a month?

Any other resources or info I need to know?

Thanks!!

 

[rufus]

You didn't say what part of Phoenix you live in. It matters. My brother got into all kinds of trouble raising quail in Ahwatukee.

I on the other hand live in a different type of neighborhood. Yes, chickens are illegal here, but everyone has them. It all depends upon what kind of neighbors you have.

If you live in an up tight area with a homeowners' association, you better not even think of having animals.

Good Luck,

Rufus

 

[redhen]

The femals arent really loud, and they are good layers.

 

[USAmma]

Quote:
Ugh, really?

I am in Chandler, and we do have an HOA. But like I said, the neighbor with the cockatiel aviary got away with it for years. He moved and took the birds with him, otherwise they would still be out there. I'm sure our neighbors on either side would not report it IF the quail don't stink and are relatively quiet. I could talk to them beforehand just to make sure.

So, I wonder if I could raise them indoors ( have them outdoors part time) or is that just crazy to even consider. I do have a bird room for the budgies already.

Do you know of a quail breeder in the Phoenix area that I could drive to to ask them some questions and observe the birds? I'm not thinking of getting any right away because I'm about to get into nursing school. This is more of a theoretical thing at this point. I just want to do all the research before I make a decision. I am planning to go to the next Way Out West bird expo in November. I remember seeing a few game bird dealers there.

 

[laputa]

I think if you have the right design of the coop (wire floor, keep poop dry or mixed up with dry dirt/wood shaving), and have the cage not too close to your neighbors property, so they could not tell you are raising something by the smell in the wind,

then their cooing is really nothing louder than wild birds, and will be hardly noticable.

I don't notice my quail's existence at all when I am in the yard and some 20 feet away from the cage.

I have no comment on what's being legal though. It all depends on your city (or county in some places)'s policy.

 

[laputa]

If you want to try raise say a dozen indoor, I would suggest not in a room where there are frequent traffic of your family members. I think the smell can be controlled if you keep it dry and do enough cleaning, but I have been advised by someone they generate poop dust, and that thing may not be healthy for people if inhaled on a regular basis; unless you keep it ventilated towards outdoor or something. But it is definitely doable and I have read several people from this board doing that. Just search for it and you will find some examples.

 

[dragonlaurel]

OMG - I thought I was the only vegetarian around here! I still eat a lot of eggs too.

 

[dragonlaurel]

How do you find out if game birds are legal in your area? I want to have chickens, guineas, and ducks. The land I'm interested in is Montgomery County, Ark.

 

[laputa]

Quote:
Try search for municipal code in your city/county's website. Or directly call the city/county.

I found the code for the city I live in here:
http://www.codepublishing.com/eLibrary.html
But this only has a very limited coverage of states and cities.

 

[dragonlaurel]

Quote:
Try search for municipal code in your city/county's website. Or directly call the city/county.

I found the code for the city I live in here:
http://www.codepublishing.com/eLibrary.html
But this only has a very limited coverage of states and cities.

Thanks!
I want to know before I buy land-what the local rules are.