Quail for Eggs

[Nyla]

Also quails need at-least 14 hours of light to lay eggs. Christmas lights work just fine if kept inside. Coturnix Quail's aren't very cold hardy when kept on wire mesh. They can be kept outside but will need a draft proof shelter with a heat lamp when necessary. Coturnix will mature at 6-8 weeks old and start laying as early as 7 weeks and hatches in 17-18 days.
These pictures were just taken. The top 2 cages were hatched July 13th. The bottom two cages were hatched July 19th.

 

[MageofMist]

I raise button quail as pets and as a bit of a hobby, their eggs are a delicious bonus. They lay an egg about every day and while they are smaller than Coturnix Quail eggs, I love the fact that they look like those little chocolate mini eggs.

 

[paneubert]

Coturnix Quail's aren't very cold hardy.

I disagree with this. They can and do handle cold very well seeing as they are ground birds. Much better than chickens. They are native to East and Central Asia, and while some do migrate to warmer areas for the winter, it seems there are tons of local populations that don't. They stick around Japan, China, and Russia for the winter. I know mine do fine in sub zero temperatures. Lots of people on here that also keep them in very cold weather.


EDIT: I do agree that keeping the drafts down helps a lot though! I would not want a raised and exposed wire cage in an arctic blast. But anything that is even remotely shielded from the wind should be enough protection. Many people with raised cages just cover them in plastic sheeting or a blue tarp. No insulation, just wind shielding.

 

[Dani xxx]

I have mine outside on the ground I have my monsters as pets that lay eggs I love their cricket calls they are very relaxing to sit next to and read a book I have had mine out in sub zero temps with no problems
This is my quails house

 

[EastTex]

I agree with the cold hardy sentiments. Quail on the ground with a shelter are super hardy in the cold. You don't need a heat lamp unless you are getting some serious below freezing temps. They will huddle together and create a nice warm ball and use their bedding to insulate.

 

[Binki]

I love my coturnix quail, I have most of them in a planted aviary for the nicer parts of the year and they stay in a modified rabbit hutch in my garage for the winter

I don't have to clean the aviary and I use layered newspaper with wood shavings on top then roll it up to clean it in the rabbit hutch, little dustpan for the leftovers. I do the same thing with some Living World rabbit cages.

I also have another group of 3 hens that are pets indoors, kept very much like a gineau pig/rabbit

Coturnix are domesticated so most don't even realize they're in captivity so they don't even try to escape and some tame right up and love seeing you and cuddling in your hands/sleeve

I would say go for it!!! I agree that they are cold hardy, sheltered from wind with dry deep bedding to huddle down on. They did fine in my drafty garages wood shavings in the rabbit hutch located in Ontario, about 15 minutes from the New York border if that gives you an idea of our weather, although the winters have been more mild lately

 

[Binki]

Oh I also wanted to add that coturnix don't really take shelter from wind/rain nor do they roost/seek a coop at night like chickens do so keep that in mind with the shelter you prepare for them

 

[paneubert]

Oh I also wanted to add that coturnix don't really take shelter from wind/rain nor do they roost/seek a coop at night like chickens do so keep that in mind with the shelter you prepare for them

Also known as "they are pretty dense/dumb". Hahaha.

 

[Irajoe]

Maybe check Craigslist for quail in your area. Locally, I regularly sell adult coturnix quail on Cragislist for $2.50 and always see some listed for around $4.