Sonoma County, CA quail keepers/processors?

[Bluemonster107]

I’m in California too... and when I was just looking to get a few coturnix quail... I couldn’t find them anywhere around me!! No one with eggs or even Roos! And no, we are not in a quarantine location.... so I’m sure someone is always looking ... post your extra birds on craigslist.
I am not raising my quail for human consumption, so I already knew I was going to have an issue when it came down to having to cull any... I even have 1 little handicapped chic that I know I should have culled, but I just couldn’t do it... so it is just hopping around
I know it’s gonna be an issue too when these chics are a little older and I have to weed out the Roos

 

[Ebony Rose]

There's a couple of good YouTube videos about processing quail. A lot of people want hens, not as many want roosters. I've had trouble moving them on CL.

 

[Ebony Rose]

It literally takes me longer to boil the water for easy plucking than it takes to pluck and clean a quail for the table. Posted the video to clarify how easy it is. You can't keep all the males and it would be cruel to try as they've been known to fight to the death for the right to mate. The seconds that it takes you vs the absolute agony of having a rival rooster rip all of the skin & plumage off of his head... 'nuff said; plus you will get to enjoy the meat (seriously EASY to cook too). (For you vegetarians, your dogs would appreciate the meal).

 

[Bluemonster107]

It literally takes me longer to boil the water for easy plucking than it takes to pluck and clean a quail for the table. Posted the video to clarify how easy it is. You can't keep all the males and it would be cruel to try as they've been known to fight to the death for the right to mate. The seconds that it takes you vs the absolute agony of having a rival rooster rip all of the skin & plumage off of his head... 'nuff said; plus you will get to enjoy the meat (seriously EASY to cook too). (For you vegetarians, your dogs would appreciate the meal).

I know it is inevitable... the Roos will need to go... prior to any mass destruction .. I will have no problem taking out a few a-hole birds!! Haha... (thanks for the YouTube link ... will be useful)

 

[Sara L]

It literally takes me longer to boil the water for easy plucking than it takes to pluck and clean a quail for the table. Posted the video to clarify how easy it is. You can't keep all the males and it would be cruel to try as they've been known to fight to the death for the right to mate. The seconds that it takes you vs the absolute agony of having a rival rooster rip all of the skin & plumage off of his head... 'nuff said; plus you will get to enjoy the meat (seriously EASY to cook too). (For you vegetarians, your dogs would appreciate the meal).

I think I've only plucked one or two. I usually skin them, it comes off very easy and you don't have to deal with the feathers. Skin on or off may make a difference in cooking, so be aware of what your recipe needs. I also spatchcock them by cutting up the spine on both sides, it lets you open up the cavity and remove the insides very easily. Spatchcocking makes it easier to grill them on the barbeque.

 

[Ebony Rose]

I will have no problem taking out a few a-hole birds!! Haha... (thanks for the YouTube link ... will be useful)

You're welcome for the link and taking out the overly aggressive birds is precisely how I started processing quail...well... after I processed one roo that was missing ALL of his skin & feathers on the top of his head... Yeah, that was a real life story, and a lesson hard learned. The damage was so extensive that I processed him immediately as waiting would have only brought on infection (it was overwhelmingly obvious that he'd never recover), and I figured better to process him and eat him, than to allow that wound to become infected and him die, and NOT BE ABLE to eat him. The second roo I processed was the jerk that did that to him.

I think I've only plucked one or two. I usually skin them, it comes off very easy and you don't have to deal with the feathers. Skin on or off may make a difference in cooking, so be aware of what your recipe needs. I also spatchcock them by cutting up the spine on both sides, it lets you open up the cavity and remove the insides very easily. Spatchcocking makes it easier to grill them on the barbeque.

I always spatchcock them, SO EASY! I may try skinning them next time, see how that works for me.

 

[Sara L]

You're welcome for the link and taking out the overly aggressive birds is precisely how I started processing quail...well... after I processed one roo that was missing ALL of his skin & feathers on the top of his head... Yeah, that was a real life story, and a lesson hard learned. The damage was so extensive that I processed him immediately as waiting would have only brought on infection (it was overwhelmingly obvious that he'd never recover), and I figured better to process him and eat him, than to allow that wound to become infected and him die, and NOT BE ABLE to eat him. The second roo I processed was the jerk that did that to him.
I always spatchcock them, SO EASY! I may try skinning them next time, see how that works for me.

The skin on the back above the tail is the worst part. You could also breast them out similar to how dove hunters do it, then you don't have to spatchcock or skin (besides the breast).

 

[Nabiki]

I’m in California too... and when I was just looking to get a few coturnix quail... I couldn’t find them anywhere around me!! No one with eggs or even Roos! And no, we are not in a quarantine location.... so I’m sure someone is always looking ... post your extra birds on craigslist.
I am not raising my quail for human consumption, so I already knew I was going to have an issue when it came down to having to cull any... I even have 1 little handicapped chic that I know I should have culled, but I just couldn’t do it... so it is just hopping around
I know it’s gonna be an issue too when these chics are a little older and I have to weed out the Roos

That's where I was. I found someone on craigslist who would mail eggs from the San Jose area, but I wanted to be sure of the quality of my birds, so I ended up placing an order with Orchard Hill Poultry from out of state.

I'm the sort of person who researches care, quality, etc, like mad before getting into a new project.

 

[el dorado quail]

Gotta be careful with birds south of the peninsula. There is Newcastle disease almost everywhere. When you do get your birds make sure to practice very strict biosecurity

 

[Nabiki]

Gotta be careful with birds south of the peninsula. There is Newcastle disease almost everywhere. When you do get your birds make sure to practice very strict biosecurity

That's another reason I chose to order from a reputable breeder. The one I chose is in Georgia.