Quail

[d_outcast]

I'm thinking of raising some quail. Can I mix them with my 11 pullets?

 

[muddy75]

not recommended

 

[JaeG]

No - quail have very different nutritional needs to chickens. Chickens can also carry diseases that they themselves are immune to but quail, being less domesticated, can get very sick from. Their housing also needs to be carefully constructed as, when alarmed, quail jump straight upwards to escape whatever has scared them. They can easily hit the top of the cage, causing injury or death if the height of the cage is not correct. The height of their cage needs to be a foot or less in height, or in excess of 6ft. I've had one in our aviary hit a lower perch and kill itself.

 

[d_outcast]

thank you for your response. should I put them in a bird cage then?

 

[Nabiki]

thank you for your response. should I put them in a bird cage then?

This is the care sheet I give newbies when they buy quail from me. I hope it helps!

Coturnix basic care sheet​

For new chicks less than 2 weeks old:



Housing:

Chicks will need to be kept in a brooder until about 3 weeks of age. There should be a warm side and a cool side. Keep the temperature between 85-95 degrees in the warm side. The younger the chicks, the higher the temperature they need. If they huddle together, they are cold and the temperature needs to be raised. If they are laying stretched out or panting, they are hot and the temperature needs to be lowered.

Food:

Chicks need a feed with around 28% protein. The amount of protein can be lowered once they are over 8 weeks old. The feed needs to be fine enough for them to eat. They should always have fresh water.


For adult birds:

Housing:

Coturnix quail are quite hardy and can handle freezing temperatures as long as they are dry and have shelter (boxes or some type of small container works). The minimum amount of space is one square foot per bird, but more is better. Remember to subtract the space taken up by food and water from their living space. They are ground birds and are happiest on the ground. If you give them a wire bottom hutch, make sure they have boxes of dirt for baths and to rest their feet.

Food:

Quail thrive on high protein food of around 28%, but can go as low as 20% once they are fully grown. Adult hens will need calcium either offered on the side or part of their feed. If it is offered on the side, it must be ground small enough for them to eat easily. If it is part of their feed, it should be about 3.5% calcium.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

https://merriquail.com

https://facebook.com/QuailinPetaluma

 

[Quailobsessed]

This is the care sheet I give newbies when they buy quail from me. I hope it helps!

Coturnix basic care sheet​

For new chicks less than 2 weeks old:



Housing:

Chicks will need to be kept in a brooder until about 3 weeks of age. There should be a warm side and a cool side. Keep the temperature between 85-95 degrees in the warm side. The younger the chicks, the higher the temperature they need. If they huddle together, they are cold and the temperature needs to be raised. If they are laying stretched out or panting, they are hot and the temperature needs to be lowered.

Food:

Chicks need a feed with around 28% protein. The amount of protein can be lowered once they are over 8 weeks old. The feed needs to be fine enough for them to eat. They should always have fresh water.


For adult birds:

Housing:

Coturnix quail are quite hardy and can handle freezing temperatures as long as they are dry and have shelter (boxes or some type of small container works). The minimum amount of space is one square foot per bird, but more is better. Remember to subtract the space taken up by food and water from their living space. They are ground birds and are happiest on the ground. If you give them a wire bottom hutch, make sure they have boxes of dirt for baths and to rest their feet.

Food:

Quail thrive on high protein food of around 28%, but can go as low as 20% once they are fully grown. Adult hens will need calcium either offered on the side or part of their feed. If it is offered on the side, it must be ground small enough for them to eat easily. If it is part of their feed, it should be about 3.5% calcium.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

https://merriquail.com

https://facebook.com/QuailinPetaluma

Well put

 

[Sammi_0411]

Honestly i wouldnt at this present time i have 4 pullets 4 chicks and 33 coutaix quail wouldnt put them together mite be a blood bath to be honest xx

 

[d_outcast]

Thank you for all the infos. Are quails easier to raise than chicken?

 

[Nabiki]

Thank you for all the infos. Are quails easier to raise than chicken?

I don't know about easier or harder. They're different. I've found quail quite easy to raise, but I haven't had chickens since I was about 7.

 

[JaeG]

Thank you for all the infos. Are quails easier to raise than chicken?

Quail can be more difficult socially. If you get a good group who have grown up together they are usually very docile and peaceful. But try to introduce new members (especially if they are a different colour than what they are used to) and your sweet little birds can turn into little monsters. Chickens are much easier to integrate and that's probably the biggest difference.

If you want to breed them you will need multiple enclosures, especially for the extra boys. They are cute little birds and can become very friendly, especially if they are handled frequently as chicks.