Some Good Quail-ity Time

Welcome back to my blog! If you're visiting today, I hope you enjoy spending some good quail-ity time with me. All jokes aside, let us get started. Why did I choose to write about quail today? I would love to say that it's because they are absolutely adorable but to be honest they are so much more than that. Quail have quickly become one of my personal favorite types of birds to raise and for a great many reasons. I've personally chosen to raise Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail and here is why :

*One of the fastest growing *One of the largest growing *Production of Meat

*Space Efficient *Production of Eggs *Auto Sexing Hatchling Pictured Above

Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail are considered both one of the fastest and largest growing of all quail. Reaching maturity in as little as 8-10 weeks. At maturity Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail have been reported to weigh up to 14 oz. Selectively breeding for size can help in maintaining a higher end weight. If you have been looking into adding an alternative meat source to your homestead that is space efficient, quail are a great choice.

In addition to being a great meat source quail are an amazing source for eggs. Laying in as little as 6-10 weeks! Talk about a fast incentive to raising these adorable little birds. So now that we've got meat and eggs on the table lets talk hatching time! Did you know that the incubation time for Jumbo Brown Coturnix Quail Eggs is roughly 18 days? As quickly as they mature I'm sure that comes as no surprise. The best part of raising your own Jumbo Browns is that these particular birds Auto Sex. Which means that as they grow, they will have identifying colors and patterns that tell you what genders you have. Males will develop a light brown breast, while females will develop several speckled spots around their upper breast. This is by far one of my favorite things about these quail. I prefer to keep 2-Males to every 6-Females. At this ratio I've been able to maintain good fertility rates for incubation. I then collect eggs for several days storing them fat side up in a cool location until I have 2doz+ eggs ready for incubation. I try to only run 2 Batches of Quail Eggs at a time spaced at an even 2 weeks apart when possible to keep on a cycle. This has worked best for my family and our needs. Additional eggs are used for cooking, pickling, and selling. Any chicks that hatch are kept in a brooder for 4 weeks until all chicks are able to be identified as males or females. Female chicks replace any natural losses that occur within breeding stock and are rarely intentionally culled. Mature females may occasionally be parted with as a breeding set paired with mature males if space does not allow anymore to be retained. Male chicks, however, are used as replacements for mature males. Mature males are culled for meat only when they have an immediate replacement available. Mature males may be retained if no replacements are available to ensure egg fertility. This is the method that has worked best for my family. Please note that every family's needs are different. Trial and Error is the single best way to find what works for your family. If you have been considering getting into quail, I would encourage you to do your research. As with any animal you will want to be fully prepared when it comes to housing, feeding, and essential care.

If you've made it to the end I want to say Thank You! I hope that this blog has brought some useful information into your life and that my method may help some family establish their own method of raising. As always stay safe and I'll be seeing you. xx Jeanetta