Quial

[CHUCKLE BROTHER]

Quail a short guide to keeping.
The Japanese have raised quail for centuries. They were called “Bible Quail” by early American Colonists. But hobby game and poultry keepers like myself call them Coturnix (from their generic name Coturnix Coturnix).
Beginners should start with Coturnix Quail. A good number to start with is about 20 birds, 12 females and 8 males. Males are Polygamous meaning they mate with any and all females. The recommended ratio of females to male is 2 to 1 but I usually put in a few extra males to ensure good fertility. These quail possess a remarkable disease resistance and start laying around 6 weeks of age. The meat is fortified with nutrients and very low in Cholesterol.
After you’ve raised Coturnix successfully for a while you could try, Eastern Bobwhites, larger than the Coturnix Quail and take 14 to 16 weeks to lay and are Monogamous. This means that females pick their mate so you will need the same number of both sexes. Their eggs are white and smaller than those of the Coturnix.
Regards feeding: Quail are game birds and therefore should be given game feed, which is high in protein. I use turkey and game starter mixed with layers. Wholemeal bread, green foods, and crushed boiled eggs can be offered. Cuttlefish bone should be available at all times to supplement laying hens, Quails that or out doors on grass should be wormed at least once per year and will not lay past autumn, unless you keep them in doors and use a incandescent light 15 to 17 hours. Incubation for Coturnix quail is 17 to 18 days while bobwhites require 23 days. Hope this is helpful to anyone starting out with quail.

[shanejryan]

Thanks for the post, its very good. Do you have to keep them confined though or can they run about the place?