Every so often someone at the market asks, "could I do this in my backyard?" The short answer is: probably, yes — coturnix quail are one of the most approachable small livestock projects out there. The longer answer is everything below.
They grow up fast
Coturnix quail hatch, mature, and start laying in a fraction of the time it takes a chicken. Hens can begin laying at around six to eight weeks old, and a healthy hen will lay nearly an egg a day. If you're impatient (we were), that turnaround is part of the appeal.
Housing doesn't need to be fancy
Quail don't need much square footage compared to chickens, but they do need secure, predator-proof housing — they're small enough to tempt every hawk, raccoon, and neighborhood cat around. We use covered runs with solid sides low to the ground and secure wire overhead. Good ventilation matters more than square footage.
The number one most important thing to know about buying or building your quail environment is that when quail get scared, they jump straight up into the air with a momentum and velocity strong enough to break their neck. Because of this odd trait, they must be kept in cages that are either under 18 inches in height or over five feet in height. There is no in between without broken necks.
Our best piece of advice: build the enclosure sturdier than you think you need to. Quail are prey animals through and through, and a single scare can set a flock back for days.
They're quieter than chickens (mostly)
Coturnix quail don't crow, and hens are fairly quiet, mostly making sweet chirping and chattering sounds. Quail roosters do have a distinct mating call — something to plan around if you have close neighbors.
Feed and water, kept simple
A quality game bird or quail-formulated feed with adequate protein makes the biggest difference in egg production and shell quality. Fresh water daily is non-negotiable, especially in our warmer Lake County summers. Quail are messy and will both waste and consume more food and water than you'd ever imagine.
The eggs are worth it
A quail egg is roughly a third the size of a chicken egg, but the yolk-to-white ratio is generous, which is part of why they taste so rich. A single quail egg is only around 14 calories, but it's surprisingly filling due to the high fat (the good type) and protein. By weight, quail eggs contain double the iron and riboflavin, and about one-third more vitamin B12 than chicken eggs.
Our real talk
Quail are a lot of fun and low-maintenance compared to most livestock, but they're definitely not zero-maintenance. Daily feeding, watering, and egg collection are part of the routine, rain or shine. You'll also need to clean their cages out anywhere from once a day to once every few days, depending on your set up. Cleaning their cages can definitely take some time! At the Lake House Quail Farm, we like to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while we clean the cages. Expenses are also something worth considering. At a minimum, after your cage set up (which in itself can be costly), you will need to purchase high-quality game bird food, treats, material for bedding, and non-toxic sand for their dust baths. You'll also have to come up with a plan in case you leave town for more than a day or two since these birds really do need daily care. Despite the work and expense, we absolutely love having quail. They are fun to watch and play with and we are always learning new things from the quail communities that we're part of.
Curious about visiting or picking up eggs to try? Get in touch or find us at the next Lake County farmers market.