Quails – Raising and Egg Hatching

Introduction:

An interesting hobby that could provide you several benefits. These benefits could be financial or non-financial. Non-financial benefits include meat, eggs and getting fertilizer for the garden. Above all it is a fun activity to anyone. Due to short life, people do not keep them as pet.

Raising Quails:

Depending upon the size of the farm or the place, you may raise your quails accordingly. As a norm you may accommodate 4 adult quails per square feet. Although they can survive in lesser space as well. But for a proper growth and development, they need appropriate space and light. Quails provide nutritious and low-fat meat and eggs. Quails waste or poop is considered to be super natural fertilizer for the plants. All these benefits can be attained in limited space for raising quails.

Benefits of Raising Quails

Quail Eggs

As discussed above, this smallest poultry bird produces meat, eggs and fertilizer. Nothing is waste from this bird, even quails feathers are used for decorations and jewelry. Meat and eggs are low in fat and filled with nutrition and vitamins that make them a healthy choice for people. Although weight of the adult bird is around 200 or so grams and egg is around 8 to 15 grams. But still diet conscious people prefer it over other poultry. Once female quail is mature and start laying eggs, they provide non stop daily egg for a year. Afterwards, the frequency drops to around half of the first year.

Egg Hatching:

Quails egg hatching is an interesting process and fun to observe. It takes around 16 days to hatch an egg. In order to do that you may procure a hatching equipment from market. Whereas you may also develop a low-cost alternative. This alternative may require day to day attention which is not needed in hatching machine from the market.

Low Cost Egg Hatching Setup

All you need is:

A box of wood or card board (size is dependent upon the quantity of eggs);
Set a bulb or two (again it depends upon outside or room temperature and size of box);
A temperature controller (this will be linked to light bulbs and this will control the heat of the box by switching on or off, as per the set temperature);
A cup filled with water to maintain humidity;
A small size fan (in case of big sized box to maintain the heat consistency);

In addition to above, you may add egg trays with rotation setup. Otherwise you may have to change the sides of eggs on a daily basis. Partitions are also required where eggs are introduced at a different time frame.

Care during Hatching Process

Machine setup require very little attention, all you have to note is hatching day. Whereas manual set up requires you to see the regular attention to temperature, humidity and rotation of eggs. But ultimately, on day 16 you will see results of your efforts.

Post Hatching Care:

Quails chicks require attention immediately in terms of a regular light source for upto couple of weeks and after 24 hours feed them crushed feed or if you find feed for small chicks that would be great. These small chicks should be kept separate from large ones. As more attention in terms of lighting, feed and care is required.

Clean the hatching machine or eggs trays of the manual setup once a batch is hatched. This will make it ready for the next batch.

Farming Care

Quails Cage and Care

It is convenient to keep quails in cages and separate the different batches of quails. You can provide appropriate care as per the requirements of the birds. A square foot can accommodate four adult birds so plan the space accordingly. Birds require appropriate lighting, ventilation, feeding and prevention from predators.

As far as feed is concerned, a balance diet is required for chicks’ growth. Quail feed is available in the market or you may prepare it at your own. Just remember that you may have to add 25 to 30% proteins in the feed. In addition to grains, green vegetables and fish, quails also love black berry and sun flower seeds. But for larger quantity, you may have to stick to a regular diet containing grains, seeds, salt, meat/fish, etc.

Final words on Quails – Raising and Egg Hatching

Life cycle of Quails is around 4 years. Whereas you may get around 200 grams of meat and regular egg production. Due to the size of bird, quality of meat and egg, lesser diseases, lesser vaccination and so on, it is recommended as a hobby. This hobby may provide you benefits both financial and non-financial.