Sail with quail?

[AQuailTale]

So, I cant find anything online about this.

Sometimes I'll be at sea for 45 days, a couple months, and hopefully more in the future. I have solid experience with quail in a natural environment, and also in comfortable cages. Could I take three laying hens w me? Id could definitely secure them (there are a cpl different options) but would they actually lay out there? Im concerned about the waves. It would be more than great if I could figure out how to add quail eggs to my food supply.

Also, I live on my boat (California based) so theyll be with me and not just a temporary fix for each expedition.

 

[Nabiki]

I would think that they'd be stressed too much to lay, but if you started with very young birds and they spent their entire lives on the boat?

Try it and see! Let us know how it goes. It would make a great article.

 

[QuailTail]

Yes I was going to do a "study" on it but wanted to reaxh out first as to not just immediately kill three quail or something Was thinking youngins would be the way to go and just take them on some smaller trips so they can get acclimated while growing to laying age

Have you figured out where on the boat you're going to keep them? And what kind of quail? Also what are you going to do with their soiled bedding/ waste? So many questions coming to mind!

 

[QuailTail]

Very interesting concept @Nabiki has a good point that your best bet would probably be really young quail so that they acclimatise quickly. How frequently would you stop off for supplies?

 

[AQuailTale]

I would think that they'd be stressed too much to lay, but if you started with very young birds and they spent their entire lives on the boat?

Try it and see! Let us know how it goes. It would make a great article.

Yes I was going to do a "study" on it but wanted to reaxh out first as to not just immediately kill three quail or something Was thinking youngins would be the way to go and just take them on some smaller trips so they can get acclimated while growing to laying age

 

[FloorCandy]

The soiled bedding is a very real concern. I don't recommend throwing it overboard and keeping it onboard could quickly get gross and will stink of ammonia.

I don’t know anything about sailing, or boats, but is there some kind of small chiminea or something that you could burn the bedding if you used something natural like pine. Or perhaps a small compost tumbler, I assume once it’s composted you can toss it into the ocean right, or keep it and use it. Or if you used sand as a substrate, you could probably scoop the poop and toss it into the water, people pee in the ocean all the time, and I’m guessing water birds fly over and poop in the ocean, and produce far more poop than your little quail.

 

[AQuailTale]

No experience with birds in the water. However, have you thought about the space and weight?

The birds need space and fresh air and sunshine. Inside the cabin in a window or outside. Ideally a movable cage you could easily bring inside during rough weather and keep outside most of the time.

As for weight, this is often a concern on boats as well. Quail are light, but you'll need extra bedding and feed on hand. A 50lb bag if feed will go a very long way for 3 quail, so you could probably take less of you have a land-based storage to leave the excess behind. The bedding is not as heavy and readily available in smaller packages

Yes definitely considered and keep calculations of weights and distribution. Figured since you can successfully grow fruits and veggies at sail, then quail might also work

 

[aart]

I'll be at sea for 45 days

At sea.....more details?
What kind of boat/ship.
Work or pleasure?

I would think space would be the key aspect, then closely behind would be ventilation.

 

[AQuailTale]

Very interesting concept @Nabiki has a good point that your best bet would probably be really young quail so that they acclimatise quickly. How frequently would you stop off for supplies?

Sometimes could be two months at sea without stopping due to crossing the ocean. Other long trips (like going down the coast of central america and south) Id be closer to resources so i could pack lighter for them.

 

[AQuailTale]

Definitely not for work lol and a 33ft bluewater sailboat

At sea.....more details?
What kind of boat/ship.
Work or pleasure?

I would think space would be the key aspect, then closely behind would be ventilation.