Must I cull? (Graphic sorry)

[Nabiki]

There's an article in the learning center on processing quail.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-process-your-quail-including-gory-pictures.75834/

 

[sajimnkim]

So what about the ones that were wounded? Are the actually safe to process for food, or should they just be set free from the cares of this world....?

 

[Nabiki]

So what about the ones that were wounded? Are the actually safe to process for food, or should they just be set free from the cares of this world....?

I usually process the injured ones first, but sometimes I process the bullies first.

 

[sajimnkim]

Thanks for all the rapid responses everyone.

 

[MDBird]

So what about the ones that were wounded? Are the actually safe to process for food, or should they just be set free from the cares of this world....?

They are definitely good to eat, I wouldn't waste them. I'd bet when you process them you won't even see any bruising on the meat.

 

[Xouie]

Could it already be time to start the breeder crew, cull the meat birds, and move on? I thought 10 weeks was the typical mark for this?

I Usually process meat quail at 6-7 weeks. The meat is really tender at that age.

 

[Nabiki]

I Usually process meat quail at 6-7 weeks. The meat is really tender at that age.

I usually start processing them at about that age too. They may grow a bit more between 7-10 weeks, but they eat a lot more food than it's worth, and they usually start causing trouble at about 6-7 weeks.

 

[Teneniel]

Are you saying you made quail dumplings? Can you link a recipe that sounds delicious.

I just did my normal all day stock in the crock pot, shredded the meat, then a roll out dough dumplings recipe with the stock and some carrots/celery

https://www.spendwithpennies.com/old-fashioned-chicken-and-dumplings/

And yes, I’d actually say it was better than chicken because the quail has a stronger taste! Though I’ve not had a spent laying chicken yet.

 

[007Sean]

No eyes

No eyes were damaged in the damage of my quail....fortunately. It's all the back of heads....which makes me think that they are trying to mount. I dunno. First time with quail.

Not trying to mount...that's the way quail attack! They will corner another male and peck it on the back of the head and back, if no intervention occurs they will ultimately kill the other male.

 

[Marie2020]

I would cull the bully, no more free meals for him.

I separated the bully at meal times, now there is no more bullying just they don't get as much food. But these are chickens.