FreestyleFarm » AN URBAN FARM IN THE CITY

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Raising Backyard Quails

We’ve had Coturnix Quails (also known as Japanese Quails), for a month now, and I can truly say they are pretty fun little birds. It’s like raising mini chickens; they have the same basic needs of fresh water, feed, and predator-proof housing, but much easier because of their small size. In cities (like ours), where backyard chickens are illegal, quails are a very good alternative (though they are probably illegal too). If a silly city bylaw allows one to keep rats and pigeons, then a few egg-producing pet quails (and chickens) should be allowed too.

This little chick was photographed at 6 days old.

Perfect for small urban backyards, quails require very little space (1 square ft. per bird), compared to chickens (3 square ft. per bird). You can even raise them on an apartment balcony.

Before & After: Chick at 6 days old, and same chick at 4 weeks.

Just like chickens, there is a pecking order within a covey of quails. Once fully feathered at 4-5 weeks, they were moved to the coop where I had built raised cages this past summer.

Bunnies were evicted and are happier running free in the backyard. The chickens sleep in what remains of the Omlet Eglu.

A 250-watt infrared brooder light is hung over the quail area for warmth, keeping their water from freezing. They learned to drink out of the rabbit’s water bottles, which is great, no more dirty water to constantly clean out!

Heavy plastic covers the coop, keeping out cold drafts. Space under the roof overhang allows for ventilation. The plastic window shade can be rolled up on mild sunny days, and secured down on blustery nights.

A little shelter made by nesting two boxes with hay in between for insulation.

A stack of old flyers line the roof of the finished house, the birds like to sit and poop up there. Each day the soiled layer is removed and thrown into the composter.

Quails will reach maturity and begin to lay eggs between 6-8 weeks, compared to a chicken which takes between 20-24 weeks. These little girls will each lay almost an egg a day, about 300 eggs in their first year then taper off.

This is a hen, at 4 weeks, you can see her speckled chest feathers.

It is very easy to sex a quail, roos will have a rust and solid colouring on their chest feathers, while a hen will have speckled chest feathers. They can be sexed as early as 3 weeks.

With 8 quails, we can get a handful of eggs a day.

A couple of hens have started to lay at 7 weeks old. Five quail eggs is equal to one chicken egg in volume. Though small in size, quail eggs are 3-4 times more nutritious than chicken eggs and best consumed raw (even shell and all). We like ours in kefir smoothies, sunny side up as a cute garnish on caesar salad, or dropped raw into a bowl of hot noodle soup where they lightly poach.

The average life expectancy of a quail is 2-4 years, compared to 8 for a chicken. This means your quail will likely be laying eggs till it dies naturally, compared to keeping a chicken around for many non-egg producing years.

The quail rooster will not crow loudly at 5:30 in the morning and wake up the whole neighbourhood, another reason why these little game birds are perfect for the urban homestead. Stay tuned for future updates, when the new roo moves into the quail condo!

 

  • Deirdre - LOL – you know what freedom means….more bunnies!!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Mary - Just loved the quail information and lovely photos. I never realized quails can be raised as pets and egg producers. Your family certainly eats the most wholesome and delicious food. Your home is an oasis of nature and wonder.ReplyCancel

  • Saturday Morning Coffee & Quail Eggs | City Boy Hens - […] quails are egg laying machines and start laying at around 6-8 weeks of age. Check out her post at http://www.freestylefarm.ca/2013/02/04/raising-backyard-quails/ for more information on raising […]ReplyCancel

  • Michelle - Practical and adorable! Where did you get them?ReplyCancel

  • Cathy - Have a small hobby farm would like to raise bobwhite quail and or pheasants. Quail for eggs. Pheasants to release for hunting. Would like to know where to start.ReplyCancel

  • john aloys masenya - i like quail farming and i decide to start keeping the quail this month.yhis is a helpful page to me.ReplyCancel

  • Joey - Sounds like quails are pretty awesome. I have 3 chickens now, but I would love to have some quails. Do you think they would get along with the chickens, or should I segregate them? Also, do you eat the quails when they die naturally?ReplyCancel

    • Jill Chen - The chickens will kill the quails. You also don’t want them to free-range with the hens because they will drop their eggs anywhere making them difficult to find.ReplyCancel

  • Jerry - I only want to raise quail for eggs not for meat. Should I have males in the coop?ReplyCancel

    • Jill Chen - Only have a male if you plan to hatch more. Otherwise, you don’t need a male for eggs. He also needs to be separated as he will constantly bother the females.ReplyCancel

  • Robert Trottier - Would be grateful to learn how to feed 1-3 day old quail…

    P.S the info and pictures were very helpful…many thanks
    robertReplyCancel

  • Sarah - We’re interested in raising Quail in Toronto as well. Where did you purchase the Quail from?ReplyCancel

  • Diora - Hey 🙂

    Nice post!

    Do you know where in Canada I can order them?

    We own a farm and planning on having coturnix quails as well..

    Just thought you might know.ReplyCancel

  • Melissa - Awww they are so cute! I’ve recently thought about the possibility of raising quail in the future… Mainly for the eggs and because I love birds and always wanted to own a bird as a pet. I mean they’re cute, generally quiet animals, don’t require as much high-demand care as say chickens or dogs XD and FRESH NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST! yum! ReplyCancel

  • RUMBIDZAI ZHANJE - I have just started raising 18 quails and the quail information and photos gave me strengthReplyCancel

  • sharon - I am looking to purchase 5 dozen bobwhite quail to be shipped to Prince Edward Island Canada. I have an incubator so fertilized eggs would also be great, Can anyone help me???ReplyCancel

  • Sifelani mzambi - I would like to know more about quail farming and where to get cages and everything to be to raise quails successfully.ReplyCancel

  • R. Venable - Maybe you can help. I have had adult bobwhite quail for three weeks. They are not laying eggs. I bought them from a large scale breeder who said they are 18 months old. I make sure they get 14-16 hours of light a day (mix of natural and artificial). I feed them laying hen food, meal worms, cuddle bone or crushed egg shells, and greens. I have two cages. Each cage has four hens and one rooster. How can I get them to start laying for me?ReplyCancel

    • Krista Anthony - At 18months they may be too old, especially after the stress of being moved. My 8-10 WEEK old quail are laying eggs.ReplyCancel

  • Charles Attard - We are also raising quails now. Welcome to our website.ReplyCancel

  • Alduais - Good evening,

    I need Quails 6 or 12 with 1 : 5 male : female ratio or chicks. Please let me know if you can and the price.

    Regards

    AlDuaisReplyCancel

  • Victoria smith - What time do they wake up?ReplyCancel

  • gabriella lorenzon - I incubated some California Quails eggs. A good percentage hatched but the chicks died for no apparent reason within 2 days.
    I had fed them gamebird starter and water was available.
    Any suggestion?ReplyCancel

    • Krista Anthony - Chicks that young need baby chick feed with chick grit and ground oyster shell. The food by itself can kill them as they can’t digest it.ReplyCancel

  • Viktor - Hello !
    Tell me please where can I buy a bag of quail (or turkey) feed before I buy quails? I live intersection Dundas street and Islington. In the stores I find just wild bird feed.
    Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Brian - Do you raise these quail in Canada. Specifically ontario. I want to start but am unsure. Do you know if there are any laws stopping me from raising quail other than a possible bylaw
    Thank you for your timeReplyCancel

    • Pamela g - I’m wondering the same! I was looking up the bylaws for peel region. Looks like in mississauga the bylaws specifically name some animals and livestock. In brampton the bylaws a re different, as well as Halton region. They don’t say you can’t have quail. So I’m guessing it’s ok ?ReplyCancel

  • KJ - Hey,
    We keep chickens (in England) but are looking at potentially relocating to Canada to be near family in a few years. One thing we’ve been concerned about is predators.
    Would a coop like that be good enough protection against coyotes and cougars? Or do you just live in an area where they are less prevalent?ReplyCancel

  • Richard Ryan - wondering if you ship quail hatching eggs to corner brook newfoundland? Please email me backReplyCancel

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