Quail & Chickens? (Together)

[SugarCochin]

I would like to get quail. One reason is, they are super cute, and I love them. Another reason is, small eggs. I dont really like a lot of egg (when eating), so I like to eat smaller eggs. I have cochins, but i also want quail.

I am going to be getting 3 cochins, and maybe 7-10 regular sized chickens.

I was wondering, can I have quail living WITH my chickens?

I know they fly, but my coop has a roof.

 

[SugarCochin]

Ahhh i just realized how small quail actually are....nevermind i am sorry for posting this.

Anyways: Please read:

I still plan on keeping quail, just in a different coop. Are there any differences in care from them and chickens? Do they need different diets?

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Size isn’t the only thing I would be concerned about. There are a lot of diseases that can be spread between them.

Do they need different diets?

Quail need a different kind of food. I believe they need game bird feed. I could be wrong so I’m sure one of the quail people will step in.

 

[lomine]

I suggest checking out the Quail Forum, it's under Other Backyard Poultry.

 

[Hiram Means]

I keep lots of quail and I give them gamebird feed like EmmaRainboe said. Also do not keep them within direct contact of chickens due to diseases like blackhead that are mostly asymptomatic in chickens but deadly to quail.

 

[Alaskan]

I have brooded quail chicks and chicken chicks together.

As chicks, chick starter is fine for both. But... after the chick starter the quail do better on game bird feed.

Also... the quail grow FAST, reach sexual maturity quickly, and the males are vicious once sexually mature.

So, they can't be in the same cage with the chicken chicks for long. (Few days is fine, 2 to 3 weeks max)

Also, you need a BUNCH of space, or only one male.

The quail are not quite as cold hardy as chickens, and the quail are more sensitive to drafts.

I kept my quail in a cage under the poop shelf in my chicken coop.

Worked fine for me.

 

[Hiram Means]

I would be on the safe side and not keep them very near each other, even as chicks.

Also I have never had male vs. male problems when the males are raised together. This is coturnix and king quail I'm talking about btw.