ow To Start Profitable Quail

Farming
Aashika / August 28, 2019

This guide will help you in all aspects of Quail Farming.

Including
 Quail Bird Characteristics
 Benefits Of Quail Farming
 How To Start Quail Farming
 Quail Bird Housing
 Quail Feed
 Light & Temperature Management For Quail Birds
 Stress & Vices In Quail Birds
 Quail Egg Incubation
 Quail Diseases, Symptoms & Treatment
 Quail Sexing
 Quail Breeding Setup
 Markets & Marketing Strategies For Quail Products
Quail farming is a business of raising quail birds for either domestic or commercial
production of eggs, meat or both.

In recent times poultry industry has witnessed an increase in demand for both eggs and
meat. Notably, increased health consciousness amongst meat consumers has bolstered the
consumption of white meat with chickens, fish and quail offering the majority share.
Quails are migratory birds which are native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Their origin date
was way back into the eleventh century, where the Egyptians trapped them purposely for
their meat. Years later, the Chinese started keeping the bird as pets due to the male birds
ability to sing.

Before spreading to the other parts of the world, it’s believed the initial commercial quail
farming started in japan, thereby enabling Japanese quail to gain dominance to date as one
of the best performing breeds, largely for commercial production of eggs and meat.
 Compared with other poultry birds, quail farming continues to gain traction each new day
across the world due to low capital and minimal labor demands, ease of care and
management of the birds, and high profit returns. Interestingly, anyone can start venture
with both limited capital and limited experience.

Quail Bird Characteristics:

 Compared with other poultry birds such as chicken of similar age, quail appear small in both
body size and weight. A mature adult bird has an average weight of 200 grams.
 Due to their small-sized bodies, quail eat small amounts of feeds, occupy smaller places and
require little care and management (when compared with poultry breeds such as chickens
of similar age)
 They are great feeders and know when to stop. Quail will seldom over-eat!
 They grow and mature very fast. They ready to begin laying eggs at just between six to
eight weeks from hatching.
 Quail Birds lay small-sized multi colored eggs. The eggs tastes just like chicken’s, although
they have slightly higher yolk to white.
 Quail are prolific layers, laying at least an egg a day. In the first year, they are capable of
laying an average of 250 to 300 eggs. They lay well for the first one and half years but will
register significant slowdown in the after years.
 Quail are poor brooders. You’ll need an incubator to hatch their eggs ( If raising them on a
large/ commercial scale). But if you are raising them on a small scale, you can consider
using a broody hen to incubate their eggs.
 Unlike a fertile chicken’s egg that takes 21 days to hatch successfully, incubated fertile
quail’s egg takes between 15 to 18 days to hatch.
 A quail’s egg is less fatty than chicken’s, making it consumers favorite. Their meat is low in
fat, providing an ideal alternative to read meat (a perfect pick for consumers in pursuit of
meat with low cholesterol).
 With good husbandry quail have lifespan of 3 to 4 years.
 Quails are resistant to a number of diseases affecting the larger poultry unit. Consequently,
they require less number of vaccinations against poultry-related diseases.
 When startled, the birds can respond by jumping up or taking short flights. Therefore they
can easily escape if they are grown in open areas.

Benefits of Quail Farming:

Source of Income & Employment:
Just like any other businesses, quail farming provides an excellent source of income. In
equal measure, it’s a source of employment to many people around the world.

Adaptability:
Quail can easily be raised alongside other poultry birds such as turkey, chicken and duck
etc. They equally adapt to most climate and weather conditions enabling them to be found
in most parts of world.

Grow & Mature Fast:

Compared with most poultry birds, quail grow and mature fast. At between 6-7 weeks from
hatching, the female birds ready to begin laying eggs. And with good care and
management, they have the potential of laying atleast an egg a day.

Minimal Space Requirement for

Accommodation:
Due to their small sized bodies, you’ll need minimal space to raise good number of quails. A
space the size of a square meter would be sufficient to raise eight to ten birds. That same
space would only house just two to three chickens.

Hardy:
The birds are hardy. They are affected by fewer diseases when compared with other
poultry birds such as chickens.

Cheaper Feeds:
Quail feeds are cheaper than most poultry feeds.

Tasty, Rich, Delicious Eggs & Meat

Quail eggs and meat are tastier and highly nutritious than those of most poultry birds.
Consequently, there is high demand for the products at the markets and from most farm
gates.

Research has pointed out that quail’s egg has loads of vitamins, nutrients
and is low in caloric content. It has Vitamin A (retinal), Vitamin B1,
Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamins C, D & E. It also has
essential nutrients such as Omega 3, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Phosphorus,
Choline, Tonic Acid, Magnesium, Omega 6, Fatty Acids and Selenium.

Low Capital & Labor Investment Requirement:

You need low capital investment to start quail farming. Equally, the labor requirement is
also low.

High Feed Conversion Rate:

Compared to other poultry birds, Quail have high feed conversion rate. Roughly, they are
able to produce 1 kg of meat out of 3 kgs of feed.

Quail Products Are Affordable:

Due to their smaller body sizes, quail products, eggs and meat are slightly smaller in size
and are more affordable than those of most poultry birds such as turkey, chicken etc.

Starting From Scratch v/s Buying an

Established Farm:
Since you’ll seldom find a quail farm to purchase, you should prepare to start your own
from scratch. It’s less stressful starting from the scratch unlike buying one that will require
you to carry out endless background checks.

To start from scratch, all you need is to get licenses, pull your startup capital, decide on
ideal location, establish rapport with existing key stakeholders, utilize marketing tools to
create awareness and then market your products.
Most, if not all, successful quail farms started from scratch and have risen to be successful
and solid business brands today. It’s dedication, focus, hard work and determination that
has allowed the businesses achieve such success. It’s therefore no hidden secret that
anyone can build a quail farm to be successful brand anywhere in the world.

How To Start Quail Farming: