Does anybody keep quail?

**Hazel at the Hill** · 13-05-2016, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by amateurdave View Post

Had a quick search but couldnt find anything with 'quail'?

Hi Dave - that will be because the search function on the Vine is a bit rubbish - try putting in the search in this format in your browser:

site:growfruitandveg.co.uk quail

......which returns loads of hits on quail, all from the 'Vine.

**amateurdave** · 13-05-2016, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Hazel at the Hill View Post

Hi Dave - that will be because the search function on the Vine is a bit rubbish - try putting in the search in this format in your browser:

site:growfruitandveg.co.uk quail

......which returns loads of hits on quail, all from the 'Vine.

Thank you, should keep me busy for a few hours!

**Guest** · 13-05-2016, 03:15 PM

I can't offer much advice just wanted to add to the mix of info. I tend to find smaller often means faffier and whilst quail is nice it is seen as a delicacy rather than a pile ya plate up and get stuck in - just wondering what your cooking/ eating habits are

You could consider bantums (lil chickens) if you are worried about space

Also if you want small scotch eggs just do savoury eggs

**mothhawk** · 13-05-2016, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by amateurdave View Post

As per the title really.

Had a quick search but couldnt find anything with 'quail'?

Ive spent quite a bit of time looking into it and they seem like a perfect option for me.

Without actually having ever eaten a quail egg they're supposed to be tastier than most chicken eggs. More nutritional per weight. Feed per egg weight seems to be better. Smallish enclosures (less space than chickens).

While feed per egg weight may be better, don't forget that a lot of that egg weight is shell. The larger the egg, the less the ratio of shell to edible bit, so a bigger egg gives you more edible, less shell. And while they can be in smaller enclosures, those need to be a lot more secure, hole size, than for hens. Also, a softish roof is best as when startled they rise straight up and may hit the roof, literally

**amateurdave** · 13-05-2016, 03:36 PM

It seems hit and miss. Ive spoken to people who say they are far easier than chickens and perfect in every way (minus the suicidal tendencies and slightly noisy males though quieter than a cockerel (a chicken one if the quail ones are called the same?!). Then theres just as many who share your view and not worth the effort. I guess i wont know until i try though.

I used to have a couple of scotch grey's and whilst perfect birds with the amount of space and things i have planned i think ill struggle to get them enough space to 'free range' and would also struggle having a breeding flock due to the cockerel. Also would be happy to not have to deal with broody hens and the issues surrounding them. But... saying all that, i do eventually want chickens again aswell.

We tend to go wholesome foods, so stick everything in a crock pot. Not huge meat eaters but do tend to have meat in most evening meals (small portions of meat). And then theres also the dog.

editted to say they werent scotch greys they were speckled greys.

**roitelet** · 13-05-2016, 03:54 PM

I have kept quail on several occasions. You can't keep more than one cock with the hens or they will fight to the death. The food is expensive compared with chicken feed. They have to be kept caged with a small mesh grill. If they escape there is no catching them. When it comes to pot time they are really fiddly to prepare. I don't think they taste any better than the shop bought ones. Just how many quail eggs can you eat? They sometimes lay twice a day and it takes about 12 to 18 to make a decent omelet. They are not the sort of bird you can tame.

Guess what, I don't keep them anymore, bantams are much easier!!!!!

**amateurdave** · 13-05-2016, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by mothhawk View Post

While feed per egg weight may be better, don't forget that a lot of that egg weight is shell. The larger the egg, the less the ratio of shell to edible bit, so a bigger egg gives you more edible, less shell. And while they can be in smaller enclosures, those need to be a lot more secure, hole size, than for hens. Also, a softish roof is best as when startled they rise straight up and may hit the roof, literally

I believe its measured without shell. Apart from the cholesterol theyre more nutritional (a few other bad fats but nothing majorly worse than chickens). I like efficiency and they seem more efficient (something i'd regret saying when it came to plucking etc im sure!) even gone as far as thinking of breeding insects because of their ability to turn waste into calories not just for chook consumption either.

Not saying ones better, id like both, just think quail would suit me better at the moment. Suppose i should get some eggs to taste, might be wasting my time if i dont like them!

**JaniceH** · 13-05-2016, 04:38 PM

I once hatched quail eggs in my incubator that I had bought in a large national supermarket...

**amateurdave** · 13-05-2016, 05:31 PM

Youd've thought they wouldve been with out the right temperature and humidity for too long. How did they get on?

I believe that the majority of quail eggs are fertilised as the females are nearly always kept with the males. Quail eggs, not for vegetarians.

Amazing that you hatched supermarket eggs!

**Scarlet** · 13-05-2016, 06:54 PM

Ive never kept quail only chickens and turkeys. You need lots of eggs to make a meal, they are tiny! Probably 7 quails egg for 1 chickens egg

my kids eat 3 egg omelettes! That's a lot of quail eggs.
If you haven't tried them perhaps you should buy some, you can get them in w@itrose? Do you know how long it takes to prepare a quail? I find cleaning pigeons a long slog for the amount of meat you get.
It's also worth considering that keeping birds for meat is very different that keeping them for eggs. You'll not only have to keep breeding birds, you'll need to have an incubator and rear the chicks. Meat birds should be kept separate from egg birds (my brother used to have them for a while) as they need different requirements.

**jackarmy** · 13-05-2016, 07:41 PM

I kept quail for several years, never for the eggs as they really arent worth it ( as already stated) so if thats the only reason you want them then i would pass.
I kept Chinease quail which are best kept in a trio and are a joy to keep and the eggs are tasty, the Japanese though are a totally different ballgame, they crow as loud as cockerels and kick off at 4 am so if you can cope with the noise, then why quail instead of chickens

Also, those really cute looking chicks really need watching. Their bumble bee size and will drown in an inch of water and freeze to death in minutes if not in a heated enviorement.

**vixylix** · 13-05-2016, 09:03 PM

OMG that is the cutest thing I have ever seen!! Now I want quail!!!

**Small pumpkin** · 14-05-2016, 08:58 AM

I've kept quail. Fantastic little birds very entertaining. Like everything there are pros and cons.
For a small bird they produce a lot of sh"t. They have to be kept fully enclosed or their gone. They make a tasty snack for anything that eats meat (including rats) . They lay to many eggs. Pros they lay loads of eggs. They are hours of entertainment, they don't need much space ( obviously the more can give them the better) they taste good. They are a good starting point for self sufficiency because they need just as much care and attention as bigger poultry. They still need worming, protection against red mite ( other mites are available!) regularly cleaning of houses and all the other fun that goes with keeping poultry.

I only had one male he ended up in the oven. Main reason was the dog was scared of his crowing

. I no longer have them, they got taken by a mink. The fury little ba$tard got through the tiniest gap

I still miss them even though I now have chickens, turkeys and geese.

**JaniceH** · 14-05-2016, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by amateurdave View Post

Youd've thought they wouldve been with out the right temperature and humidity for too long. How did they get on?

I believe that the majority of quail eggs are fertilised as the females are nearly always kept with the males. Quail eggs, not for vegetarians.

Amazing that you hatched supermarket eggs!

I used to be a secretary of a rare breed poultry club so we often used to swap hatching eggs to increase the numbers of each breed. Those eggs were taken as they were laid and stored in the fridge then incubated together so they all hatched at the same time. Someone joked that they'd heard you could hatch quail from supermarket eggs as the cockerels run with the hens and are refrigerated in transit, so just the same as we used to swap eggs. I stuck 6 in my Brinsea incubator and got three quail! It appears I'm not the only ones too lol Man incubates packet of supermarket quail eggs and a chick emerges a month later | Daily Mail Online

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