Quail farming has become popular recently, as their meat and eggs are recognized as nutritionally beneficial. They are a treasure trove of valuable nutrients for the body. Therefore, it's important for beginners to thoroughly study how to raise quail at home. Quail eggs and meat are especially beneficial for children, pregnant women, and the elderly. They also help with recovery after illnesses. Even ground eggshells serve as a biological supplement and a source of easily digestible calcium. It's no coincidence that meat and eggs have been and continue to be a staple in the diets of many famous and well-to-do individuals.
Benefits of Quail Farming
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Benefits of breeding:
- It has already been mentioned that quail meat and eggs contain a large number of substances essential for the body's functioning. Quail are a source of protein, micro- and macronutrients, and vitamins (primarily B vitamins). They also contain lecithin, which normalizes liver function. Furthermore, quail eggs help remove harmful cholesterol.
- Caring for them is quite simple, even those who are taking their first steps can easily cope with this;
- Cages don't require much space. A dozen hens and roosters are housed in 20 square centimeters. Cages are arranged in several tiers.
- You can make the equipment for keeping them yourself; it just requires a little skill and patience at first.
- The birds eat little (up to 30 grams per day). Although their diet is based on compound feed, they also eat cereals, vegetables, greens, eggs, and cottage cheese.
- The incubation period is shorter than that of chickens (17 days). The meat is ready for consumption on the 50th day, or earlier in some varieties. One hen lays an average of one egg per day.
- Quails have fairly strong immunity to diseases.
- Raising quail can be the start of a family farm if you study the materials for beginners in detail.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuNygAyp6c4
Where to start breeding?
If your primary goal is a small quail farm but you lack practical experience, it's best to start by raising a small batch of birds. Learn how to build cages and an incubator. Go through all the stages of breeding and maintenance yourself. This means gaining initial experience and analyzing mistakes and failures. This is helpful for beginning farmers!
Only then should you gradually increase your flock. Numerous videos are available on how to raise quail at home, with detailed instructions for beginners.
[sc name=»info-attention» text=»Please note that while the recommendations are generally similar, each breeder uses their own methods of care and feeding. Beginning breeders must find the method that works best for them, and this requires some practice.»]
We are proceeding in stages
We will explain in detail how to start breeding quails at home for beginners.
Stage 1
The room needs to be prepared. It should be warm and dry enough. The optimal average temperature for adult birds is +20 degrees Celsius.
Next, prepare the cages. It's up to you to decide whether to make them yourself or buy ready-made ones. There are plenty of videos and books explaining how to do this. They also list the basic requirements and dimensions.
[sc name=»info» text=»Buy or make an incubator—any kind will do—for hatching birds. You'll also need a brooder, a sort of "nursery with a garden" for the hatched chicks.»]
Buy feed. It's best to buy a large quantity at once; it's more cost-effective. Store the feed tightly sealed at all times to prevent moisture absorption. Small quail are fed chicken feed, while larger quail are fed broiler feed. All farmers agree that feed is essential, as birds need protein. You can supplement the feed with various supplements as needed.
Stage 2
To breed quail at home, it is necessary for beginners to carefully consider the breeds that have proven themselves to be successful.
Among them:
- Pharaoh, white and colored;
- Manchurian gold, another name is Golden Phoenix;
- Estonian breed;
- Large breeds, such as Texas White, are ideal for meat;
- Japanese quails have good egg production rates.
You should buy them from reputable breeders; it's best to visit the farm to purchase them. The recommended purchase ratio is four hens and one rooster. You can buy two breeds for breeding and compare them. The optimal age for purchasing birds is between one and two months.
Stage 3
Purchased quail will begin laying eggs in 40-50 days. After about two weeks, the fertilized eggs can be collected for incubation.
Why is it better not to buy fertilized eggs, but to select them yourself?
First, you'll choose the best, largest, and strongest eggs. Second, you can be sure that the eggs will hatch from them, and there won't be any surprises. Furthermore, a novice breeder will gain invaluable first experience. Incubation lasts seventeen days. During this period, a constant temperature of 38.5-37 degrees Celsius is maintained.
Monitor humidity levels. Before the eggs begin to hatch, the temperature is lowered by 1 degree. Some farmers, before the chick hatches, transfer the eggs to small plastic containers and line them with paper towels to prevent the legs from spreading. I remove the chicks from the incubator once they are dry and transfer them to a brooder. Once the chick is removed from the incubator, it is given water to drink.
A brooder is usually a large box lined with paper towels, a vacuum waterer, and 24-hour lighting. On the first day, the chicks are given an egg, optionally with cottage cheese, grated carrots, and greens. Add a drop of fish oil. However, the bulk of the chicks' food should be either dry infant formula or finely ground feed.
It's important to keep the gap in the waterer as small as possible. The chicks may drown if the gap is too large. Note that the temperature should be maintained at 35 degrees Celsius during the first few days, then gradually reduced to 25 degrees Celsius.
After two weeks, the hens and cockerels are transferred to prepared cages, but the temperature should remain above 20 degrees Celsius for another two weeks. Incandescent lamps are installed in each cage for this purpose.
How to care for it and what to pay attention to?
When raising quail at home, it's important to carefully study the instructions for beginners to determine the key points to consider:
- Temperatures should be maintained at 20-22 degrees Celsius. A decrease or increase in temperature results in a drop in productivity, meaning quails will lay fewer eggs. They do not tolerate both low and high temperatures well.
- Birds are fed two or three times a day. The daily allowance should not exceed 30 grams, with compound feed being the main component of the diet. Additional feedings include cereals, eggs, cottage cheese, greens, and vegetables. Overfeeding is not recommended.
- Nipple or vacuum drinkers are preferable. If it's a regular drinker, it should have a grate or wire so that only the bird's head fits through. The feeder is installed in the front, with a hole made for the bird's head.
These are the main points that need to be taken into account by those who decide to keep quails.
Once you've gained some experience and are satisfied with the results, you can gradually increase your poultry flock. Raising quail at home, if you thoroughly study all the materials for beginners, is a business that quickly pays for itself, especially if you make your own equipment. Plus, your family will be provided with a healthy dietary product.