![]() The rearing conditions will also vary based on what purpose for which you plan to raise them. Because quails are territorial, they will also need adequate space at feeders and waterers (about 1 inch and ⅓ inch each, respectively). The Penn State Cooperative Extension guide recommends 1 square foot per quail in floor pens (chickens, by comparison, require about 4 square feet per bird). “They don’t require a ton of space, it just depends on your numbers,” Lhamon says. You can purchase fertilized quail eggs to hatch in an incubator, which requires slightly more skill, capital (and an incubator) and maintenance, or purchase day-old quail chicks also known as “cheepers.” How much space do quail require? Stephanie Shafer The Coturnix, or Japanese quail, is also a good breed for beginners, according to some breeders and experts. The Eastern bobwhite is the most common species to raise in the United States. Some districts prohibit raising quail entirely, so check your municipal zoning codes as well. You also may need a permit from you state department of fish and game depending on the size of your quail “covey” (a group of quail) and what you plan to raise them for. To raise quail, you will need a proper enclosure, feeders, waterers and nesting boxes if you want them to lay eggs, either to hatch or for you to eat. To keep diseases at bay, keep quails separate from other backyard fowl like chickens and try to keep them away from wild migratory birds. If you have a disease outbreak, it will pass through the flock quickly.” “That’s one of the big issues that quail producers will have. ![]() “One thing that I always try to stress when it comes to producers is biosecurity,” Claudia Dunkley, poultry scientist at the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in Athens, Georgia. ![]() Because quail can fly, their enclosures need to be extra secure, and they are more vulnerable to predators due to their size. But even though they are small, quail present their own challenges. Quail are smaller than many of their backyard poultry counterparts, experts say that they generally require less space than other backyard poultry. Here is what you need to know before deciding whether raising quail is right for your homestead. Raising this tiny poultry can stoke a lifelong passion for homesteaders looking to raise unconventional backyard fowl.
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