Quails and chickens

[Stephanie8806]

I really really appreciate everyone’s input! It can be hard to sift through info on the web.

I will likely focus only on chickens and become a chicken raising master

We plan, several years down the road, to move out to a 20 acre homestead... and there I plan to have chickens, quail, and turkey. Until then, maybe just chickens will satisfy my poultry dreams

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They certainly don't need to occupy the same space at the same time for disease to transfer. It depends on the virus or bacterium how pervasive it is. Feces of one species or the other is sufficient. Disease can be spread by flies or the wind. Some can spread by air for a half mile or more.
However if one is disease free, the other will likely be too.
Here's an example of one.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/162/ulcerative-enteritis-quail-disease/

 

[igorsMistress]

I agree, they don't have to share the same space for disease to spread. A person could accidentally let a fly in their house and expose their quail to disease from their chickens. Wild birds can spread disease. They're either healthy and strong and will do fine, or they aren't and won't.

If they aren't exposed they'll never have strong immune systems. Then all you've got is a bunch of weak birds you can't do anything with.

 

[feedman77]

I keep my quail in rabbit cages off the ground mainly. I free ranged chickens. The chickens would eat the waste feed of the quail and keep their poop raked around. Sometimes the chickens would roost on the quail cage. I have not noticed any losses in the quail from the chickens being present.

Have also had at a time quail, chickens, and pheasants in a ground pen. Still didnt have/notice any losses outside normal.

But I want my birds exposed to as much as possible to try and build immune systems. I let them mingle and cohabitate. Basically survival of the fittest is how I manage my flock.

So I would say give quail a shot. Try your split run. If it works, great. If it doesn't work and you still want quail. Try a cage works well especially if space limited.

 

[Stephanie8806]

This is all great info! You guys rock! I think I’m going to start with just chickens, and maybe bring in quail later.

Are there tests that can be done to test if my future chickens have diseases? Because if there are, and they’re healthy, it sounds like it would be a lot safer for the quail!

 

[RUNuts]

I apologize for being nosey, but I am curious. I'm in a position where roosters aren't allowed (neither is livestock, but shh!). My interest in quail is in case the chickens get evicted. The quail are "not livestock".

As I researched, it appeared chickens were better at everything (eggs, meat & compost), but took more space and were louder. What is the advantage of quail for you?

And to answer your question from my research, the chicken poop and dander are what transmit the disease, if present. So in these situations, the quail have to be 30 feet or more separation from all the chicken areas. Having said that, a lot of people are successful for what ever reason. Therefore, try it and see. That is what I'm doing.

Cheers!

 

[feedman77]

I apologize for being nosey, but I am curious. I'm in a position where roosters aren't allowed (neither is livestock, but shh!). My interest in quail is in case the chickens get evicted. The quail are "not livestock".

As I researched, it appeared chickens were better at everything (eggs, meat & compost), but took more space and were louder. What is the advantage of quail for you?

And to answer your question from my research, the chicken poop and dander are what transmit the disease, if present. So in these situations, the quail have to be 30 feet or more separation from all the chicken areas. Having said that, a lot of people are successful for what ever reason. Therefore, try it and see. That is what I'm doing.

Cheers!

Coturnix quail are no louder than mating native birds in the spring. Most neighbors wouldn't even know you had them.

Use about 5 to 6 quail eggs in place of 1 chicken egg. Quail eggs are substantially healthier than chicken eggs. Figure 2 quail per person per meal.

8 weeks from egg to laying or ready to butcher. Easy to incubate. Can keep them in wire cages or converted rabbit hutches.

 

[Stephanie8806]

As far as my interest in Quail, although they are smaller, they are just as productive as chickens and in a shorter amount of time(quail can start laying at 8 weeks of age!) and although the eggs are smaller, they lay 5-6 per week from what I’ve read. Plus, there are a lot of nutritional benefits to quail eggs... my husband struggles with chicken eggs, if their feed contains soy or corn. We have found 1 brand of eggs only that keeps soy and corn out of their supplemental feed, and I know it’s more work to make these types of feeds yourself. He has had no problems with quail eggs, and they apparently contain a specific protein that can help repair chicken egg allergies.

We are also a hunting family, and raising quail is appealing not only for their egg and meat production, but also for use as live training birds for our hunting dog. Although we mainly hunt pheasant and grouse, our state is also home to wild quail... so theres some good opportunity to familiarize our dog with smaller birds.

 

[RUNuts]

Plus, there are a lot of nutritional benefits to quail eggs... my husband struggles with chicken eggs, if their feed contains soy or corn. We have found 1 brand of eggs only that keeps soy and corn out of their supplemental feed, and I know it’s more work to make these types of feeds yourself. He has had no problems with quail eggs, and they apparently contain a specific protein that can help repair chicken egg allergies.

I find the allergy comment very interesting. Once ours start, I'll have to convert the house to quail eggs to check for improvement. Thank you for giving me another research opportunity. We also struggle with food allergies.

I'm using a soy based feed thinking that the pass through is minimized. From your comment, it sounds like you have proof that there is something that gets through?

Hmm. Things that make you think. Cheers.

 

[Crazydoglady99]

EVERYTHING is connected Nutty.

There is no possible way, that a bird (or any animal) can be fed "insert food here" or whatever, and it not be present in the birds system-by way of eggs or meat.

It's the very reason I am passionate about where my food came from, and where my foods' food came from and... food sensitivities, in people and pets -thats my thing!