Tempted to get Quail

[baby-blue]

Hey there! I just found a post on CL where someone is selling quail chicks for snake feeders... and I may be tempted to go pick some up to just have them as backyard pets. To those of you who keep quail - what are your setups like? What is their care like? How do they compare to ducks and chickens? Thank you!

 

[Nabiki]

They like to be on the ground. Give them lots of hidey holes. They need to be completely enclosed both to keep them from wandering/flying away and to protect them from everything that likes to eat them.

The best ratio to keep is 1 male to 3-4 females. More than one roo will fight and it will get bloody.

Edit: They also won't thrive on chicken feed. They need something with more protein in it, such as game bird feed.

 

[Severne]

I recently got quail, I like them as much as my ducks and chickens

 

[Bellagrl]

I am tempted to get some also and would appreciate any advice and what your thoughts are on rasing them. I just got chickens in May, my family told me I'm out of control for wanting quails now

 

[blackoaktammy]

Hey there! I just found a post on CL where someone is selling quail chicks for snake feeders... and I may be tempted to go pick some up to just have them as backyard pets. To those of you who keep quail - what are your setups like? What is their care like? How do they compare to ducks and chickens? Thank you!

What kind of quail are they? If they are feeders, they are most likely coturnix, but I've seen bobwhites and buttons sold as feeders as well. Care can be slightly different depending on what the are.

 

[sunbursts]

I raise bobwhite quail: mine are most happy in a wide cage with lots of vegetation, dirt, and plants. They love that stuff to eat and hide in. Small sticks and branches are good, too. If you give them any chance to escape, they will probably make a break for it. Make sure no predators can get in. I feed mine millet, nuts, ground eggshells, plants/greens, meal worms, etc.

Anyone may take this advice.

Good cluck!

 

[baby-blue]

What kind of quail are they? If they are feeders, they are most likely coturnix, but I've seen bobwhites and buttons sold as feeders as well. Care can be slightly different depending on what the are.

I raise bobwhite quail: mine are most happy in a wide cage with lots of vegetation, dirt, and plants. They love that stuff to eat and hide in. Small sticks and branches are good, too. If you give them any chance to escape, they will probably make a break for it. Make sure no predators can get in. I feed mine millet, nuts, ground eggshells, plants/greens, meal worms, etc.

Anyone may take this advice.

Good cluck!

Thank you both! Still debating getting them since they’re over an hour away. I may just end up getting a coop/run set up now and incubating eggs once my bator is open.