New to Quails; Info & Advice Needed!

[MuthaCluckas]

Hey there! I'm a pretty new member here and in my "new member introduction" I explained how I'm having to start 100% from scratch with my chickens - from the coop & run to the flock itself. That being said, I'm considering an additional (but much smaller) coop specifically for quail. I believe my best fit would be Coturnix, but I'm finding a lot of conflicting information from various sites and figured it'd be my best option to get insight from keepers here I live in southeast Colorado if that makes any difference in advice given! (Or if you could point me in the direction of some good forums to go over thatd be great too!)

 

[catesquire]

What questions do you have?

 

[MuthaCluckas]

What questions do you have?

Honestly, I need a good rundown of everything. If I only want a tiny flock of 10... how much space do they need? Can I convert an old rabbit hutch into a coop for them? What kind of enrichment is best for them? Do I feed them like chickens or does their diet differ drastically?

I feel so dumb, we have wild quail here where I live that are bigger than the bantam chickens we had, but I didn't know there were smaller domestic breeds I can keep for myself, so, naturally - I'm obsessed, and I want to go all in but can't seem to find reliable sources pertaining to their proper care.

 

[catesquire]

I'd recommend starting with Nabiki's excellent articles, it's what I did! https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/authors/nabiki.540925/

"Coturnix Basic Care" and "What to Feed Your Quail" should be especially helpful

 

[CliftonQuail]

I agree with @catesquire Start with the excellent articles from @Nabiki . If you have any questions after that, she and others will be happy to chime in.
Belated welcome to Backyard Chickens.

 

[007Sean]

Honestly, I need a good rundown of everything. If I only want a tiny flock of 10... how much space do they need? Can I convert an old rabbit hutch into a coop for them? What kind of enrichment is best for them? Do I feed them like chickens or does their diet differ drastically?

I feel so dumb, we have wild quail here where I live that are bigger than the bantam chickens we had, but I didn't know there were smaller domestic breeds I can keep for myself, so, naturally - I'm obsessed, and I want to go all in but can't seem to find reliable sources pertaining to their proper care.

Depends on what species of quail you want to raise, Coturnix, Bobwhites, Gambels, Mountain, Blue Scaled, Buttons all have different requirements as to habitat, feed, and housing arrangements.

There are lots of good reference material in the Learning Center here on BYC. If you can't find the specific information your looking for, 'we' are always happy to help with any questions you may have with regards to rearing quail.

 

[Nabiki]

I would start with the articles in the quail section. I appreciate the votes of confidence on my articles, but there are other good ones here too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/quail.32/

Feel free to ask any questions you still have after browsing through the articles!

 

[MuthaCluckas]

Depends on what species of quail you want to raise, Coturnix, Bobwhites, Gambels, Mountain, Blue Scaled, Buttons all have different requirements as to habitat, feed, and housing arrangements.

There are lots of good reference material in the Learning Center here on BYC. If you can't find the specific information your looking for, 'we' are always happy to help with any questions you may have with regards to rearing quail.

Thank you, I'm still trying to learn how to navigate my way through this site! Living where I do in CO [shortgrass prairie, zone 5/6], do you have a recommendation on the breed(s) that would thrive the best? I've only come across Bobwhite, Coturnix & Button in my recent research so now I feel even more out of the loop lol

 

[MuthaCluckas]

I would start with the articles in the quail section. I appreciate the votes of confidence on my articles, but there are other good ones here too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/quail.32/

Feel free to ask any questions you still have after browsing through the articles!

Thank you!

 

[Nabiki]

Thank you, I'm still trying to learn how to navigate my way through this site! Living where I do in CO [shortgrass prairie, zone 5/6], do you have a recommendation on the breed(s) that would thrive the best? I've only come across Bobwhite, Coturnix & Button in my recent research so now I feel even more out of the loop lol

Coturnix are probably your best choice. They're good beginner birds and they are quite hardy. They also do not require permits in most states.