![]() This basic ration is supplemented with homegrown compost worms/mealworms (important to increase protein content as noted above), scraps from the kitchen, bugs from the deep litter and garden, plus a bunch of garden greens every day. Reduce waste and avoid attracting rodents by removing the feed a few hours before dark to encourage birds to clean up any spillage. We buy an organic certified brand to support better farming practices but this is expensive. Pellets need to be blitzed into slightly smaller pieces in a food processer for young birds. Choose the highest protein you can find as quail need more than chickens (ideally 20%). ![]() Our quail receive chicken mash/pellet as a basic ration. ![]() Keeping more than one male is not recommended as wounds from fighting can be fatal and it will also stress out the rest of the flock. Choose a gentle, quiet male to avoid stressing out your hens and your neighbours (though quail rooster crows are far softer than chicken roosters). Keeping a rooster is optional for egg production but of course, very important if you want to raise chicks. They are social birds so please never keep a single quail – they do get lonely. The minimum ethical housing size for this flock would be just over 3m 2 ( if it is a rich and interesting environment, see Housing). quail hens to keep for a similar quantity of eggsĪs an example, a flock of 10 quail hens should lay the equivalent of a dozen chicken eggs per week for most of the year. of chicken eggs you normally eat each week x 5) / 7 ) * 1.2 = No. Use this equation to work out roughly how many quail hens to keep: Egg laying will slow down in winter and when quails are molting, just like with chickens. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are a fantastic alternative in urban areas where space and noise constraints preclude a backyard chicken flock.Ī healthy quail hen will lay an egg virtually every day during spring, summer and autumn. You can gradually reduce the heat, at 5 weeks they should not need any unless it is particularly cold, ideally the box should be in a warm, draft free room or building.Would you like fresh, golden-yoked eggs and feathered company in your tiny urban backyard or courtyard? Most people have only ever used chicken eggs in the kitchen, but many other birds have been domesticated for egg production. I find that drowning can be a problem so be sure to use a shallow drinker.Īfter a week you should think about placing wire netting over the top of the open box, the quails will fly out soon! Īfter the chicks reach 5 week old use quail breeder pellets. The food and water can be placed about 15 -20 cm from the lamp, you can move it further away in the box after the first few days.įor the first 0 -5 weeks feed game starter crumbs, there is a special quail starter and game starter crumb available, with Coturnix quail chick crumbs are fine B utlers or Chinese need the super fine game feed. The problem with most brooder heaters is that no light is emitted at all so they cannot see to feed or drink unless there is another light on. You can alter the heat in three ways, 1) Altering the bulb jewels requirement ie the watt value 2)Adjusting the height of the bulb in the box higher should make cooler 3)Partly covering the top of the box Providing the correct heat requires careful monitoring, if the chicks are too cold they will usually be huddled under the lamp, too hot and they will be as far away as they can get from the heat, if they are evenly spaced with a healthy docil look without stress upon their temperament you are not far wrong with warmth. place a special non bright light and heat bulb securely initially at a height of 50mm from the floor of the box, using bright lights with chicks can cause them to peck at one another Butlers quail turn very quickly and will kill each other due to a bright light source during brooding I suggest a box about 70cm square, with corrugated cardboard neatly covering the floor, or use wood chips (not sawdust), a slippery surface will make the chick a cripple you wont want that. On a small scale for the first 5 weeks you can use a cardboard box with a light bulb for heat, if you are using this method there are a few things you can do for your own safety and the health of the chicks.
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