New to the area :)

[Abizzle]

Hi everyone,
I’m here in sunny SW Florida looking to gain as much knowledge on quail keeping for meat and eggs. I’m a mom of little children and want to teach them about the responsibility and joy of raising animals for food. I’m in the beginning steps of research to properly prepare myself for building out the coop on a large extra lanai. Any tips, tricks or advice would be wonderful as I’m going in quite blind but super optimistic!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[muddy75]

 

[N F C]

Hi, under the Articles tab you'll find the Learning Center. There are a number of good articles about keeping quail there:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/quail.32/

Best wishes!

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC! BYC has everything here you'll need! Check out the link @N F C gave you as there are tons of articles that can help you!

 

[Jenbirdee]

hello nice to have you along!!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck in establishing your flock.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to BYC. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Coturnix Quail are the best species to keep for meat and eggs. They grow very fast and and laying by 8 or 9 weeks old. Ready for the table by 7 weeks. They rarely go broody so you will need an incubator to hatch chicks.

Some people keep quail in cages however they really do much better aviary style living, allowing them to live natural lives. They don't roost on bars like chickens but love a pile of brush in the middle and along the edges of the aviary. Leave one corner full of dirt for a dust bathing area. They are very easy to keep, however build the aviary like fort knox, everything eats quail. And no, you can't free range them.

Enjoy this new adventure!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to Back Yard Chickens. Glad that you have joined this fun and poultry loving community.