New to quail

[jenniferhenbutt]

Hello everyone!
I've decided to try my hand at raising quail. I'm still gathering as much information as I can before I start. I'm trying to decide if I want to start with a breeding pair (or trio) and hatch their eggs, or if I should just get eggs and hatch them, or day old chicks. Anyone care to weigh in on that?
Also, if I attempt to hatch eggs and some don't hatch are those eggs still ok to eat?

 

[Fat Daddy]

I'd always say hatch eggs! I enjoy the birds, no doubt about that. But after years of hatching 1000's of eggs. I still look forward to it like a child does Christmas! But when most flolks around here speak of "quail" they mean Coturnix. They are the Gold fish of the game bird world... They do best as 4 or 5 hens to each roo. You said pair or trio.... You talking about bob whites or other new world quail? Well I guess you could be talking about Buttons too, but they ain't really quail, more like a canary that don't like to fly! Any way you go it's good to meet you. Good luck with your adventure!

EDIT TO ADD: No eating eggs that don't hatch... Use a sling shot to shoot them at the pesky kids next door

 

[jenniferhenbutt]

Haha you are fun!
Yes I was planning to start with coturnix. I just want to make sure I get absolutely everything I need before I even order eggs.
Does anybody drain the eggs and handpaint them? I've seen some lovely ornaments made from chicken and goose eggs. Maybe that could be something I can do with eggs that don't hatch?

 

[TwoCrows]

I'd always say hatch eggs! I enjoy the birds, no doubt about that. But after years of hatching 1000's of eggs. I still look forward to it like a child does Christmas! But when most flolks around here speak of "quail" they mean Coturnix. They are the Gold fish of the game bird world... They do best as 4 or 5 hens to each roo. You said pair or trio.... You talking about bob whites or other new world quail? Well I guess you could be talking about Buttons too, but they ain't really quail, more like a canary that don't like to fly!

Any way you go it's good to meet you. Good luck with your adventure!

EDIT TO ADD: No eating eggs that don't hatch... Use a sling shot to shoot them at the pesky kids next door

Ha!

If you ever need a pick me up, Bill is the guy to turn to. He will have you rolling in the isles!!

Good luck on your quail adventures!

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. Shooting them at the neighbors kids!