thinking about quail

[SOchick]

I am thinking of trying quail this year and have a few questions.

1- Can I keep them in cages in the chicken coop, or would they need their own separate place? can chickens pass anything bad to them?

2- I have read somewhere that the texas a&m variety has some white meat. Is this true? (I prefer white meat) if so, they lay pretty good too?

3- is 1/2 to 1sg ft per bird sufficient space?

4- how many should I start with? I would like to keep some around for eggs, and the meat will be an added bonus.

5- how noisy are they? I've heard not as loud as hens, does this include the males too?

6- I am in GA, do I need a license? (I do not want bobwhite quail) If so- what type of license and do I have to renew yearly?

Thank you!!!

 

[saddina]

At the top of the quail forum is the quail sticky, will give you answers to 99% of your quail questions.

1. own pen
2. yes, but good luck finding a pure white meat strain most have been crossed back in and are darker meat now
3. yep
4. 4 quail eggs = 1 hen egg, so how many egs do you want?
5. quieter than a crow, males sound like songbirds
6. good questions, prob. not for coturnix, but ask your dept of wildlife in case.

 

[SOchick]

Thanks! I was reading through the sticky earlier, but wanted to make sure I was thinking the right things.

 

[worldling]

Quote:
In Georgia, you only need a license/permit to raise for sale bobwhites, eggs, meat, live birds. A protected game species.
If you want to raise coturnix, button, vally, etc. The state considers them simple poultry.
Releasing them is another story, and I haven't gone there yet.

#1. They should be keep in cages based on species, and YES!!! Chickens can pass bad things to them.
#2. The (white meat) issue is a matter of great debate. Not going there. Any coturnix quail that I have ever raised adhere to standard coturnix laying patterns.
#3 1/2 ft. to 1 ft. per bird is adequate for coturnix in most cases. The more...the better.
#4. That depends. Your goals and needs will depend.
#5 Coturnix on a noise scale between 1-10, a 4.5, in most cases. I don't know any (QUITE) birds that lay eggs sooner,grow faster, and just keep their beaks shut.

#6 Please see my permit info.