What do I need to keep quails

[Lubuto]

I want to start keeping quails, unfortunately I don't have much knowledge about keeping quails. Please help me want are the most important things do I need to keep the quails. Do I necessarily need to keep them in a cage or Can I keep the in a room, Do they need light at all times?

 

[K3nzi3]

Quail are typically best kept outside. But if you really want to, can be kept inside with a large enough cage. Quail need to be fed game bird feed. (Can be found at pretty much any animal supply store).
Most species of quail prefer coveys to be one male to multiple females.
Quail are fast, and can jump and hit their heads and hurt themselves.
What species were you looking at? The coturnix quail is very popular as they tend to be more docile and friendly.

 

[Welshies]

Quail need:

• Feed: A 26-30% grower will sustain them throughout their lives.
• Water
• Calcium- once you have laying hens (8 weeks old) provide free choice oyster shell.
• Grit: provide chicks and adults a large dust pan filled with sand for grit and dust bathing.
• Bedding: straw or pine shavings work well. Cedar shavings are toxic.
• Company: One male for 3 to 5 hens works best. Don't keep quail alone.
• Space: Quail need 1 square foot of space per bird. A rabbit hutch works great. They do not need a run area or roosts or nest boxes.
• Safe place: make sure it is safe and secure.

 

[Lubuto]

Quail need:

• Feed: A 26-30% grower will sustain them throughout their lives.
• Water
• Calcium- once you have laying hens (8 weeks old) provide free choice oyster shell.
• Grit: provide chicks and adults a large dust pan filled with sand for grit and dust bathing.
• Bedding: straw or pine shavings work well. Cedar shavings are toxic.
• Company: One male for 3 to 5 hens works best. Don't keep quail alone.
• Space: Quail need 1 square foot of space per bird. A rabbit hutch works great. They do not need a run area or roosts or nest boxes.
• Safe place: make sure it is safe and secure.

Thank you so much the information is really helpful, I needed this for a start.

 

[Lubuto]

Thank you

 

[JaeG]

If you are keeping them for eggs then Coturnix is your best bet. They are friendly and docile and don't need much space - 1 sq/ft per bird. They need 14 hours of light to lay eggs but do need a nighttime break. Forcing the hens to lay constantly by supplementing their light can shorten their lives. They can be a bit smelly and dusty indoors. Fermenting their food helps with the smell and they'd each produce as much dust as a cockatiel or parrot.

Button quail are beautiful but not as domesticated. They don't like to be touched, are 'fun' to catch (slippery little things) but can be friendly depending on how they were raised. One in our aviary is always standing in my way and likes to try and eat my shoes and socks! They are tiny so only require a small cage - 5 sq/ft per pair. They should only be kept one pair per cage and a soft top on the cage, or padding prevents head injuries as they can shoot straight up when startled. Keep the bedding dry and they won't smell with weekly cage maintenance.