10 Reasons to Choose Quail

Many years ago as a young boy growing up on my grandparents farm in Greenville Alabama, I remember the excitement of going to the chicken coop to gather eggs for my grandmother. Excitement would often turn to fear as I navigated the large coop with my prizes trying to avoid the large rooster that did not want me around his ladies. It was a calculated risk I was always willing to take for my grandmother!

While many might say chickens are the gateway animal for homesteading, several years ago I began my quail journey in an effort to be more sustainable. Here is what I learned;

1. They are compact, requiring minimal space compared to other poultry and fowl. This means they don't occupy much room on your property. It's generally suggested to allow one square foot per bird, but I've found my birds are content with about ½ to one square foot each. You can adjust based on what suits your birds best. Due to their small size, they require less cleaning than chickens. Coturnix consume less than chickens, although they have a hearty appetite for their size!

2. They are quiet, which helps avoid unwanted attention from neighbors or HOAs. While males do crow, they tend to do so less often when housed with hens. Their crows are usually quieter than a chicken's and can be mistaken for a distant wild bird.

3. Quail need simple housing. Unlike chickens, quail cannot be kept in open coops or allowed to free range. They thrive in fully enclosed areas due to their vulnerability to predators. Our birds have ample space but are happiest close to their flock, so there's no need for a large or complex enclosure. You can easily adapt small chicken coops, rabbit hutches, or greenhouses for your Coturnix quail.

4. Coturnix mature quickly, so you don't wait long for meat or eggs. Depending on the season, hens start laying at about 5-8 weeks old, and you can process them for meat around the same time.

5. They are easy to process, requiring minimal specialized equipment on butchering day. A few sharp knives, cutting boards, clean workspaces, and receptacles are usually sufficient. Plucking feathers adds time, but their small size makes the task quick. Skinning them will save a good deal of time but you lose the taste of skin.

6. Their meat is delicious and nutritious. Quail meat is rich in protein, calcium, iron, and zinc, and it's an excellent source of Vitamins C and A.

7. Coturnix hens are prolific layers, averaging nearly an egg a day in their first laying year. Although productivity decreases with age, many hens continue laying 5-7 eggs weekly after their first season.

8. Their eggs are nutritional superfoods. Quail eggs are packed with Vitamin A and B12, choline, selenium, riboflavin, iron, and potassium. They contain ovomucoid protein, beneficial for those with seasonal allergies. Additionally, many people sensitive to chicken eggs can safely consume quail eggs.

9. Quail are engaging for children. My nieces, nephews and grandchildren love our quail! We have some sweet Coturnix hens that enjoy snuggling and being handled.

10. Coturnix are hardy and easy to care for. We live in a climate with hot summers and mild winters. Our Coturnix require similar care to chickens during hot months but thrive in winter. Though housed in an elevated coop, I've never had to treat them for parasites or ailments. Once fully feathered and mature enough for the outdoors, they are incredibly easy to maintain.