Very interested in raising some quail, would love some info to get us started

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello everyone! As y'all probably already know, I already have chickens.... And you know, they are great little family members and all, but they come with downsides.. But I came across this YouTube shorts video about quail, and I told a few family members about them, and now two of us (one wasn't that interested but whatever), are talking about getting some hehehe...
Why quail?
Well, we were drawn to a few things about them; first, that you can sell 1 dozen quail eggs for more than 1 dozen chicken eggs (also, is that true??) Second, is that the hens lay an egg almost every day. And last but not least, is that they require little space.
We are very much interested in getting some quail chicks in the Spring and would love some info to get us started, such as:
1. How to raise quail chicks
2. Quail coop requirements
3. Inspo for quail run/coop ideas
4. What to make hiding places out of, what to plant for them in their run, and other decor (in other words, how to make their "aviary" cute.)
5. Bedding
6. Other pros and cons about quail
7. Hatching quail basics (I want to hatch quail eventually...)
8. I live in Southeast Michigan. Do you guys know of any good hatcheries that offer sexed coturnix quail chicks?

Thank you SO much, any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Nabiki]

I would start with the articles here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/quail.32/

If you still have questions, feel free to ask!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I would start with the articles here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/quail.32/

If you still have questions, feel free to ask!

Thank you very much @Nabiki!

 

[Quailwhatdoyaknow]

I just started with mine. I have 4 coturnix. They haven’t started laying yet but will soon. They require very little maintenance and really prefer to be by themselves and their friends. They grow fast! Expect eggs in 6-8 weeks. You can raise them 1 bird per square foot. They don’t need roosting bars or nesting boxes as they just lay where and when they want. You don’t need roosters for them to lay and only need one rooster per 3 hens. Don’t go less than 3 hens per rooster as they can be over bred. You can butcher at 6 weeks if you want meat. If you are going to incubate it takes around 17 days. Make sure their enclosure is predator proof. 1/2” hardware cloth should do the trick. They are not loud and mainly sound like song birds. Good luck!

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I just started with mine. I have 4 coturnix. They haven’t started laying yet but will soon. They require very little maintenance and really prefer to be by themselves and their friends. They grow fast! Expect eggs in 6-8 weeks. You can raise them 1 bird per square foot. They don’t need roosting bars or nesting boxes as they just lay where and when they want. You don’t need roosters for them to lay and only need one rooster per 3 hens. Don’t go less than 3 hens per rooster as they can be over bred. You can butcher at 6 weeks if you want meat. If you are going to incubate it takes around 17 days. Make sure their enclosure is predator proof. 1/2” hardware cloth should do the trick. They are not loud and mainly sound like song birds. Good luck!

Wow! I find it crazy that they look similar to chickens but sound like songbirds I saw on McMurray's website that they sell lots of 10 birds, 8 hens 2 cocks, but I read that you can't have 2 males in the same covey or else they'll fight. Is that true or does that just apply to two males in a not-enough-hen ratio if you know what I mean? I also find it crazy how they don't take long at all to mature and lay eggs!

 

[Nabiki]

Wow! I find it crazy that they look similar to chickens but sound like songbirds I saw on McMurray's website that they sell lots of 10 birds, 8 hens 2 cocks, but I read that you can't have 2 males in the same covey or else they'll fight. Is that true or does that just apply to two males in a not-enough-hen ratio if you know what I mean? I also find it crazy how they don't take long at all to mature and lay eggs!

It depends on the dispositions of the birds involved. I keep 2 males and 10 hens per pen and it almost always works. Sometimes it doesn't, and the aggressive boy gets an invitation to dinner.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

It depends on the dispositions of the birds involved. I keep 2 males and 10 hens per pen and it almost always works. Sometimes it doesn't, and the aggressive boy gets an invitation to dinner.

Would it work with only 8 hens and 2 males?
Also, my mom has the misconception that they should only be kept in a rabbit hutch and if they are kept in a run kind of deal they'll fly up and break their necks..I know that can definitely be true but what if the roof is high enough and we provide enough hiding spots and cover that they could hide under instead of flushing?

 

[Nabiki]

Would it work with only 8 hens and 2 males?
Also, my mom has the misconception that they should only be kept in a rabbit hutch and if they are kept in a run kind of deal they'll fly up and break their necks..I know that can definitely be true but what if the roof is high enough and we provide enough hiding spots and cover that they could hide under instead of flushing?

It might work with a 4:1 ratio, but there's no guarantee. The more space they have and the more hiding places they have, the better chance you'll have.

If their area is at least 4-5' high (walk in height is better), they are very unlikely to break their necks if they flush. Make sure that everything is covered with 1/2" hardware cloth at the least. Standard chicken wire will not keep them safe.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

It might work with a 4:1 ratio, but there's no guarantee. The more space they have and the more hiding places they have, the better chance you'll have.

If their area is at least 4-5' high (walk in height is better), they are very unlikely to break their necks if they flush. Make sure that everything is covered with 1/2" hardware cloth at the least. Standard chicken wire will not keep them safe.

gotcha! I'll tell her that! And also, we get very brutal winters here in southeast Michigan, and since quail like to sleep on the ground, would it be too cold for them? And do they need a coop attached to their aviary?

 

[Nabiki]

gotcha! I'll tell her that! And also, we get very brutal winters here in southeast Michigan, and since quail like to sleep on the ground, would it be too cold for them? And do they need a coop attached to their aviary?

They probably won't use a coop. As long as they are dry and out of the wind, they can handle below freezing temperatures quite well. If you cover their place with a tarp to keep out the wind and give them enough small shelters or enough straw for them to burrow into, they will be fine.