New to Quails, HELP!

[James the Bald]

Hey don't take it personally. It's just that if we had a nickel for every time someone asks if they can raise quail outside on the ground, we'd be rich. Like you, I came to quail a complete newbie and learned the hard way that they don't like and can't remain healthy living on the ground like chickens. My quail now live in a raised colony coop on wire and I get nice fat eggs daily from them. I think most people eventually come to realize that those who have been doing it the longest really know what they are doing. I learned the hard way by losing 7 quail in 5 days to a rat that came in to my coop to feast nightly. I still feel horrible for the suffering that I caused them and it was completely unnecessary. If I'd just listened and kept them in a secure, raised coop from the beginning, none of my birds needed to die that way.

Actually, on March 2nd, I made the comment along the lines of, "if I had a nickel for every time somebody asks a question that pertains to keeping Quail and Chickens, and I'll toss another dime in when TwoCrowsRanch replies". As of this date, my jar has $1.20 in it.

For what it's worth, what you want them for will determine what type of quail you should get. Their eggs are full of the good cholesterol and none of the bad cholesterol. Females mature at 6 weeks and will start laying an egg a day (you can extend their egg production by providing 14 hours of light, but it will also shorten the lifespan of the hen). You can do a google search on the health benefits of quail eggs. Here is a link to Coturnix quail basic information. Some people prefer the game taste of bobwhites, so what type you get will really depend on you.

 

[ChickenLove6]

Thanks so much guys! I wouldn't have known any of this if it weren't for you! x