I decided to raise Quail this spring.

[msouth468]

My wife won't allow chickens. :dance2:

I picked up my incubator, automatic egg turner, feeder bunk and waterers. Now I just have to build a brooder for the young Quail babies to put in my garage.

 

[Lobo.]

wow... thats... unique, but then again very cool. ive never heard of anyone raising quail, can you eat the eggs, or do you just eat the bird...
they are pretty things, please send pics our way as it progresess

 

[Larissa]

My dad looked into that but I think he changed his mind because of all of the fire ants down here. They kill just about everything (horrid things). Anyhow, it sounds like fun. What kind are you raising?

 

[msouth468]

wow... thats... unique, but then again very cool. ive never heard of anyone raising quail, can you eat the eggs, or do you just eat the bird...
they are pretty things, please send pics our way as it progresess

Really, you never heard of it? Try googling "Raising Quail", you'll be amazed at the diversity of the hobby. And I don't plan on eating the eggs or butchering the quail. I just want to see if it is fun to do or not.

I will probably make a journal or something here to show people my progress. But I won't start for another month or so.

Edit: I plan on raising plain old Bobwhite quail. But the California Quail looks interesting.

 

[Larissa]

Edit: I plan on raising plain old Bobwhite quail. But the California Quail looks interesting.

My dad was looking at bobwhites as well. I personally prefer the way the California looks, though. I can't wait to see pictures.

 

[Holly9937]

So if you don't eat any of it, what do you do with them? will they be like pets? I used to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center that raised quail...for the raptors to eat

 

[msouth468]

So if you don't eat any of it, what do you do with them? will they be like pets? I used to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center that raised quail...for the raptors to eat

Once they reach maturity, I will most likely turn them loose in the yard. I live in the country and a few quail live in the road ditch next to my house. They will hopefully help the pen raised quail survive. I plan on leaving feed out for them spread around in the yard. And my dogs will help keep pretty much any predatory animal out of the yard. (A St. Bernard/lab mix and a Rotwieler are pretty good at keeping tabs on what is in the yard)

 

[mykidsmylife]

I raised Button Quail for a while. They are nice little house birds..kind of along the lines of finches and are often placed in the bottom of outdoor aviaries and are ground dwellers so they actually lived in an aquarium. Tiny adorable little things. We did bobwhite quail one year and let me give you a warning. The STINK!!! I mean there is a very distinct odor from quail....very strong too. The brooding pen is not a fun thing.

 

[msouth468]

I raised Button Quail for a while. They are nice little house birds..kind of along the lines of finches and are often placed in the bottom of outdoor aviaries and are ground dwellers so they actually lived in an aquarium. Tiny adorable little things. We did bobwhite quail one year and let me give you a warning. The STINK!!! I mean there is a very distinct odor from quail....very strong too. The brooding pen is not a fun thing.

That is why they will be outside. I helped my Uncle's mother raise and butcher chickens. I am well aware of the stench of poultry.

 

[Riso-chan]

Well, if you do keep them in your yard, you'll likely have less bugs and whatnot to jump on the dogs. I'm a bird lover, so any avian species is special to me. Make sure you take care of them and good luck!