We Are Adding Quail

[Beaners]

My husband has wanted to have a housebird for a while now, but between the cost of supplies they require and the cost of the birds themselves, they are not within our price range. We found a solution. We ordered some coturnix quail eggs and will be hatching them in our incubator. He gets some birds in the house, I don't have to babysit what would amount to another child while he is at work.

They sound like they will be a really great addition, they do provide eggs and meat, although not nearly as much as a larger bird would. Plus, they are small and won't take up much room in the house. Most people who see them also won't know what they are, so they will provide at least a little extra food security for us. "Oh those, those are (insert fancy name), we love our little pets!" No one needs to know that those "pets" are also quite edible.

Kayleigh

[momof23goats]

excellent. I think a great many people could do this. and just pass them off as some kind of fancy bird. YOU can use the eggs as well. great addition, for sure.

[cyberiot]

My husband has wanted to have a housebird for a while now, but between the cost of supplies they require and the cost of the birds themselves, they are not within our price range. We found a solution. We ordered some coturnix quail eggs and will be hatching them in our incubator. He gets some birds in the house, I don't have to babysit what would amount to another child while he is at work.

They sound like they will be a really great addition, they do provide eggs and meat, although not nearly as much as a larger bird would. Plus, they are small and won't take up much room in the house. Most people who see them also won't know what they are, so they will provide at least a little extra food security for us. "Oh those, those are (insert fancy name), we love our little pets!" No one needs to know that those "pets" are also quite edible.

Kayleigh

Oh, wow, Kayleigh--if they're half as cute as the Gambel's quail we get here in AZ, you'll have 'em lined up on the sofa watching the news with you. Those little dealiebobbers on their heads are just adorable.

We had a family of Gambel's quail hatch out in our basement patio a few years ago. Named the babies Huey, Dewey, Louie, Phooey and, for the little straggler, Kablooey. Papa Quail was very protective--marched back and forth along the roofline of our house whilst Mama tended the chicks.

And, when push comes to shove, they're great braised with onions . . . :?

[eeyore]

Quail are neat for the all the reasons listed above. Do you think you could make it if you tried to introduce them to the area?

[Beaners]

I don't think these ones have the little things on their heads, but they do come in all sorts of neat colors. They are in the incubator now, so in about two weeks we will hopefully have some babies!

Eeyore-introduce to the wild or introduce like try to get more people to keep them? I don't think they'd make it through the cold winters here, I'm in PA. I am going to try to find a few more people locally who would like to raise them though.

Kayleigh

[RevDoc]

I kept Bobwhites for several years, and plan to add some again this spring.
I love their call, and they're easy to keep.

A dozen scrambled quail eggs with truffles and mushrooms, and a glass of champagne, makes a memorable breakfast.

You have no doubt already found that the hatchlings chill quite easily.