So you’re thinking about raising quail on your homestead. Awesome – they are a great addition to any homestead. They are especially great for those who don’t have a lot of space for other types of poultry. I’m going give you the nitty gritty basics on raising quail.
Why Start Raising Quail?
So maybe you’ve heard about quail but you aren’t convinced. Let me share my top 10 reasons to start raising quail on your homestead:
- They take up very little space – nothing compared to chickens, turkeys or ducks.
- Hens start laying eggs at about 6 – 8 weeks (compare that to your other egg layers!).
- Hens typically lay daily. The eggs are smaller, but I find them tastier. I do recommend getting a Quail Egg Shell Cutter because the shells are hard.
- They are also ready for processing at 6 – 8 weeks of age.
- They are quick to process and you don’t have to pluck.
- Most cities allow them as they are not considered livestock (check your ordinances).
- Quail eggs are known to have medicinal properties.
- Not a fortune to get started.
- Lower feed costs than chickens.
- Not broody (but fairly easy to incubate in 17-18 days).
because the shells are hard.How about that for starters? Now let’s go over what you’re going to need to get started.
Housing Quail
The general rule of thumb is 1 square foot of space per bird. Most people raise quail in battery cages and this works well for 
cleanliness and egg collection. I’m not a huge fan of cages but my quail did very well in them and it allowed me to keep them on my porch (with shade & misters in the summer). If you are going to keep your quail in cages I do suggest you give them some containers for dust bathing and consider adding in some natural elements, like branches for climbing.
However quail can be raised in pens on the ground as well. It can be done as successfully as chickens with a coop and a yard. This type of “cage-free” housing allows the birds to live more naturally, take dust baths and graze on greens. Don’t believe all the hype about them having no instinct to do that anymore. I’ll go over natural housing in a future article.
I have also seen quail raised in convert rabbit hutches, though these typically don’t allow much space for many birds. This might work particularly well if you’re in an apartment or condo. I have a friend that raised her quail indoors; but she was cleaning cages twice a day (no thank you).
Please be aware that with any housing you’ll need to consider head protection. Quail can be quite flighty and when they are scared they’ll fly straight up. If you have a solid/hard roof, there is a good chance they’ll hurt or even kill themselves.
Keep your bird ratio to 1 rooster for every 4 – 5 hens.
Feeding Quail
When it comes to feeding your quail, protein percentage is key. I recommend a crumble with no less than 25% and that’s pushing it. When your quail aren’t getting enough protein they’ll start pecking on each other. I’ve found that the best feed is a good organic (non-gmo), non-medicated turkey starter. Quail also enjoy meal worms, bugs and greens (if they can’t do any foraging). Make sure your feeders are big enough for them to eat but not to get into – they love to waste food when given the opportunity. You may want to consider offering your caged quail grit also.
Always have plenty of water available.
A Note on Quail Roosters
Perfect example of a quail rooster, not mine.
I see a lot of bloggers writing about how quiet quail roosters are. This is a bit of a stretch…they are not quiet. They do not
make a traditional crow like a chicken but they definitely make noise. There call can blend in more with wild birds though, so that’s a plus. Our roosters were known to do their call in the dead of night…my neighbors just loved that (not). We decided that it wasn’t worth driving our neighbors crazy.
On the other hand, hens are virtually silent – no egg song like my Rhode Island Reds and Ameraucanas.
Quail Breeds to Consider
There are a lot domesticated quail breeds but I still think the Coturnix Quail is the gold standard. They are consistent, easier to sex and readily available in most areas. Make sure to check your city ordinances because not all breeds are legal in all places.
Other breeds to consider
- Jumbo Coturnix – bigger eggs, more meat (more feed).
- A&M – unlike most quail, these have a pure white meat.
- Tuxedo
- There are lots of other colors and varieties. I’ve found that the Coturnix is great for our climate.
Where to Purchase
I recommend finding a reputable breeder in your area. You can find quail groups on Facebook with lists of breeders by state. I have been able to find some quality birds on Craigslist but it is hit and miss. I prefer to buy adult birds because baby quail are fragile and require a little more work that a chicken chick. I typically pay about $3 – $5 depending on age.
Other Considerations while Raising Quail
- Quail are flyers. You may want to clip a wing for their protection and to keep your losses down. I never had one get away but I’ve heard stories.
- If you are raising quail for meat – you may need more than you think. A live Coturnix quail is less than a pound so one isn’t likely to be enough meat for an adult.
- Coturnix quail to not perch, so they don’t need a roost. But they do enjoy a box to duck inside of or shrubbery in their space.
- They are a nervous bird so providing them as quiet of a space as possible will make for happier and more productive birds.
Stay tuned for more posts on raising quail! In the meantime, feel free to ask questions in the comments.
Never miss a post ~ Sign up for the Imperfectly Happy Newsletter
I really liked and enjoyed your post. I am new to raising quail and was searching for simple yet helpful instruction.
You knocked it out of the park for me. I am in the upstate of SC; we moved here about a year ago and soon getting started on my homesteading. Thanks for the instruction, will be lookin for more. Robert.
Thanks Robert, it is always good to hear!
Robert,
What part of upstate of SC are you located . I too am in the upstate of SC also
Would like to talk to you about how you are getting started and where did you buy your quail.
Thank you!
Hi Tiffany! I was introduced to your blog by Nick at Hostile Hares. I’m loving it. I’m curious if you have any photos on your blog of your quail set up. Thanks for all you do.
I live in north Mississippi and considering getting in the quail raising. I’m just wondering what kind would be good for Mississippi? I don’t have a website.
Coturnix do well in many different climates.
Hi I am new in quails and wondering if any restriction appied to a small farm of them at ocala florida
Tks in advance
Abe
I’m not sure about laws in Florida – try contacting your wildlife fish and game for regulations.
Enjoyed reading all of your info- I am doing research on raising quail / this was very helpful! Thanks L Beasley’?
Muy interesante su articulo sobre la codorniz, yo también considero que la Coturnix es la que mas se presta para la cría y huevo. Además es muy sabrosa y nutritiva, no cansa como el pollo. Un afectuoso saludo desde Cuernavaca, Morelos Mexico. Mi correo mlarroc19@hotmail.com
Muchas gracias. Estoy de acuerdo, ¡la codorniz es un ave maravillosa para criar por muchas razones! Me gustan más los huevos de codorniz en escabeche.
I am curious about raising quail for meat and for release into the wild. I like to build my own enclosures and so far have been very successful in raising chickens and ducks. I did not realize how much of a “fowl” guy I was until we started our little farm. Now, we are looking to different types of birds to raise.
Do you have any additional suggestions for Bobwhite quail and raising for release?
Thanks!
Randy
Randy I don’t have any experience with releasing animals into the wild, not would I recommend that. Unless Bobwhite quail are naturally in your area, this could upset the balance of nature.
Have you looked at raising Pigeons for meat? a bit larger serving per bird, same time till harvest, and not as nervous or flighty. Once you have your coop established, you can even release them for part or all of the day for them to forage for themselves. I’m working of finding someone local who can help me get started and building the coop.
I enjoy your site.
Not personally but I know many people use them as a meat source. Here in Phoenix they are everywhere…would love to have a use for those flying rats. 😉
Great article!! I have subscribed to your newsletter & follow you on Pinterest. We are expanding our homestead so my husband has a second career when he retires in a few years. I now know the spot I had planned out for the quail yard is perfect. I wanted to blend them in with our natural landscape like we have with the chickens & turkeys. I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind. I’d like to house them in a raised coop for easy egg collection (I have serious back issues so looking to eliminate as much bending/stooping as I can).
Should we have one nesting box or a few?
Does each hen require their own nest or will they lay eggs together like chickens?
Do you have a maximum hen count you recommend?
I’ve got big plans for their quiet place & other things you’ve recommended putting in their yard. I can’t wait to get it all set up!
Thanks for your time!
Jessi – McIntosh Farms
Jessi – congrats on your new homestead adventure. I have a couple of articles that should answer all your chicken questions: https://www.imperfectlyhappy.com/chicken-coop-plans/ and https://www.imperfectlyhappy.com/chicken-nesting-boxes-2/
Hello Tiffany,
Great site and blog I am new to blogging and fairly new at raising quail. How many quail have you raised at one time? We are currently at 25 but plan on adding another 50. I am starting a small blog on my experience raising quail would you mind if shared some of your info on my blog?
We never do more than a dozen or two because of the space available. You can share a link to my page but I do not allow copying of my material. Thank you.
I’m super interested in getting into raising quail, but my husband is going to take a lot of convincing. We live in northern Ohio, so what kind of accommodations would we need to make for them in the winter?
They are pretty hardy birds. Now our Phoenix winter is going to be a lot different than what you probably experience in OH. But just make sure they can get out of the elements like any good chicken coop would offer.
Hi. We are currently researching how to kerp Button Quail.
I would like to add a real plant into our enclosure. Can u recommend any that are safe if the quail decide to nibble on them?
Also, is it better to give them Chinchilla dust or Sand to bathe in?
Thanks in Advance 😊
Here is a great link on plants for a quail habitat – https://www.gardenupgreen.com/2017/05/good-plants-for-a-quail-habitat.html
I have used plain old dirt with just a bit of food grade DE in for dust bathing but I have heard good things about chinchilla dust.
We are just starting
Hi Tiffany, I am also in the Phoenix area and am super interested in raising quail instead of chickens to start with. Do you have a reputable breeder that you would recommend?
Thanks
No, the breeder I worked with before isn’t doing that now. If you’re on Facebook there is a group called Farm Swap of AZ that could be helpful.
Can quail be raised successfully in western Washington state? Do they need winter shelter? I am just looking for delicious eggs for use in my household so want birds I can keep in my small backyard in a chicken tractor type set up. I am not interested in chickens (too big and noisy for our neighborhood).
Absolutely, they are very hardy. But yes, you’ll want to give them some protection from the elements.
Hi Tiffany. Thank you for all of your articles and information. I’m very interested in raising quail and live in Tucson. (I didn’t know you were bilingual. Congratulations on your fluency!) I already have a reliable breeder from whom I have purchased eggs for eating, but they’re not open to showing anyone their system or answering questions.
I see that this post was started several years ago, but you’re still responding to comments. Do you still raise quail? Did you make your own ground enclosures / cages, or did you buy commercially made cages? Have you done both on-ground and raised cages, and if so, do you have a preference and why? Did you have a “shed” or a building for them, or use a tarp or other covering? If you no longer raise them, would you do it again? Why or why not? If you’ve already addressed these questions in another article, feel free to point me in the right direction so I don’t waste your time.
Thanks again for all of the valuable information and the service you provide.
Signed, a faithful reader in Southern Phoenix aka Tucson. LOL
Hi Paul! I am definitely not, sadly, bilingual. I wish I had been more diligent in that pursuit, being a Tucson, AZ native! I am, however, very good at using Google translator. 😀
I used cages from Hostile Hare in the past, but I really want to explore raising quail in a more natural setting in the future. We do not have the quail now as we are hoping to transition to a larger property in the next few months. I think on-ground raising has some challenges, because quail are a lot more flighty than chickens.
I love having quail, they are easy and a pleasure to keep. I wouldn’t hesitate to give them a shot in cages at first. I’ll keep you posted on my on-ground efforts.