J/k! I've been lurking for a bit (like, 2 weeks now) reading everything, learning as much as I can, and finally decided to say hello, thank everyone who has posted such great information and pictures, and, finally, ask a few questions. (Hello and thank you, quail forum people!)
I'm very new to raising quail, as in, I'm still gathering info and putting together a plan. I'd originally thought I'd like a few chickens, but that's a no go in my area. However, game birds are fine. (Thank you, hunting people!) In a way, I'm glad about this as I'm finding myself quite fascinated by the little birds!
So, a few questions and then I'll go back to planning, drawing, and reading. At this time, I'm more interested in raising coturnix quail for eggs, but I'm not dismissing raising them for meat either. So, I'm thinking I would like to raise the jumbo birds. I also like the ease by which the natural (?) colored ones are sexed. Are any of them more gentle, agreeable, calmer, but also bigger and more obviously colored (male/female) than others? I also prefer the lighter colored ones. But, mainly, I want bigger, calmer, easier to sex birds. What would fit this bill best?
Silly food questions...what about kitchen scraps? Will quail go for them like chickens? Do I need to chop things up? What about meat scraps? Or just plate scraps? I also read in one place that they'll eat redworms. I'm in the process of setting up a vermiculture bin and was wondering if this would be a good way to give them extra protein and treats?
As far as what's keeping me from getting them right now, I'm still working on how I want to set up their pen(s)/hutch/aviary/whatever. It's going to be inside my pool cage but otherwise not under cover. As I'm in south Florida, this means it has to be open enough to prevent premature roasting, but covered enough that the bottom or catch pans do not get wet and overflow (ew!) during our torrential summer downpours. (I'm also going to set up outside moveable pens for daytime dirt and garden scratching.) Also, there is the little problem of FINDING what I want. (I'm thinking I would like to start with a 6+ week old quad, 3 females + 1 male rather than either eggs or day old hatchlings.)
Anyway, again, thank you for all the information and pictures posted here!
PinkBee
I'm very new to raising quail, as in, I'm still gathering info and putting together a plan. I'd originally thought I'd like a few chickens, but that's a no go in my area. However, game birds are fine. (Thank you, hunting people!) In a way, I'm glad about this as I'm finding myself quite fascinated by the little birds!
So, a few questions and then I'll go back to planning, drawing, and reading. At this time, I'm more interested in raising coturnix quail for eggs, but I'm not dismissing raising them for meat either. So, I'm thinking I would like to raise the jumbo birds. I also like the ease by which the natural (?) colored ones are sexed. Are any of them more gentle, agreeable, calmer, but also bigger and more obviously colored (male/female) than others? I also prefer the lighter colored ones. But, mainly, I want bigger, calmer, easier to sex birds. What would fit this bill best?
Silly food questions...what about kitchen scraps? Will quail go for them like chickens? Do I need to chop things up? What about meat scraps? Or just plate scraps? I also read in one place that they'll eat redworms. I'm in the process of setting up a vermiculture bin and was wondering if this would be a good way to give them extra protein and treats?
As far as what's keeping me from getting them right now, I'm still working on how I want to set up their pen(s)/hutch/aviary/whatever. It's going to be inside my pool cage but otherwise not under cover. As I'm in south Florida, this means it has to be open enough to prevent premature roasting, but covered enough that the bottom or catch pans do not get wet and overflow (ew!) during our torrential summer downpours. (I'm also going to set up outside moveable pens for daytime dirt and garden scratching.) Also, there is the little problem of FINDING what I want. (I'm thinking I would like to start with a 6+ week old quad, 3 females + 1 male rather than either eggs or day old hatchlings.)
Anyway, again, thank you for all the information and pictures posted here!
PinkBee
As long as they have that gamebird diet as well. Thank you for clarifying.
