Pharoah Coturnix Quail: How Old to Harvest?

[Ben Rogers]

I accidently killed one of my quail the other day, it stuck it's head into the door hinge area just as I let go of the door. Smashed its head pretty good. I put it down quickly and then skinned it to freeze the meat. It's about 3 weeks old, and pretty darn small, but there was some good meat on it. About equivalent to 1/3 of a store-bought chicken breast.

How much bigger do they get and about how old are they before you typically harvest?

 

[TonysChickens]

Is it a jumbo?
Either way, I think they are "big enough" at 6 weeks to harvest. You can wait longer and it will be bigger but I think this age is the best meat per feed size? Someone can correct me there.

 

[Ben Rogers]

I don't know if it's a jumbo or not. This is where I ordered them...

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/gamebirdpage.html#pharaoh (scroll down for the Pharoah Coturnix)

This is what they say about them:

Pharoah Coturnix Quail are available May through August.
Call and check on availability

Pharoah Coturnix Quail Breed Information and Quail Facts​

Pharoah Coturnix Quail Breed Information:
The Pharoah Coturnix Quail are mature after 6 weeks of age and are full grown at 10 weeks of age. The Pharaoh Coturnix Quail is very popular in Europe and Asia and because of being very hardy they do very well released in America. The males start to crow at about 5-6 wks of age and start laying at 7 wks. They are very easy to keep but need to be kept in cages above the ground. Pharoah Coturnix like to take dust baths in hot weather.​

Pharoah Coturnix Facts:

• Weights - Hen -------4 - 5 1.2 Cock----5-6 oz
  • Purpose - Meat or eggs
    • Egg Color - small tinted white eggs with speckles
      • Egg Production - Good 200-300 eggs per year
        • Country of Origin -Japan
          • APA: No
            • ALBC: No

 

[laseterlass]

If they were Jumbos they would be at least twice that weight at maturity.
We harvest at 6 to 8 weeks or when the males start trying to kill one another. Which ever comes first. We went out and they had bloodied one another so it was time.