«--

Emilys3guppies · 2009-10-27 10:51:29

TysExotics wrote:
Quail are used for both eggs and meat. Im not sure on how to butcher them. I dont do any butchering. No they dont have names lol, few to many birds to name them...

I keep the jumbo birds which range from about 10oz-the elusive 16oz bird. Regular coturnix (pharoah quail) range from 6-10oz. It takes about 5 minutes to process a bird and isn't worth sending the birds away for, IMO. There are a few tutorials online that are really helpful when it comes to processing them.

I keep them for a few reasons:
*eggs that are pH balanced. My child who is sensitive to chicken eggs doesn't have a problem eating quail eggs (3-4 quail eggs = chicken egg).
*quail are TASTY meat. 1-2 quails=meal, depending on the size of the bird. They are easy to process. They are almost never tough, no matter the age at slaughtering but only take 12 weeks to fatten up to a processing age.
*any culls get put in the freezer as ball python food.

They're my kind of pet. Functional. :)

ETA: Think of the size of an American Robin and that's as big as a coturnix. The have a bigger breast though...but the bone structure is the right size.

Last edited by Emilys3guppies (2009-10-27 10:52:14)

AdBot · 2009-10-27 10:51:29

Dom · 2009-10-27 12:47:06

Oh-so they are small? I thought a meat breed would grow bigger!
Oh well, I would still like some quail.
If they start to lay at 6 weeks old-would the eggs be hatchable? I like the sounds of them because they mature alot faster than chickens. We need meat breeds-but most heritage meat breeds take a long time to mature!

Emilys3guppies · 2009-10-27 14:45:53

The first few pullets eggs aren't hatchable but once they get the hang of it, all the eggs that aren't overly big or overly small should hatch.

They are small...think individual meal-size. :) They do have large breasts for their size though. And all dark meat...which my kids and I prefer. Although they say that the Texas A&M coturnix is all white meat.

Dom · 2009-10-28 13:15:53

Cool!
Sounds good-hopefully I can try to hatch some then.

taras.farm · 2009-10-28 16:44:10

emilys3guppies:
I have corturnix too...
would consider trading for new blood some time....I'd do it now if I thought they'd survive the cold in the mail! Maybe?....
I have white pied tuxedo and pharoah...the brown...working on my lighter cinnamins...but had a nasty boy....growing a replacement breeder guy ...someone who treats the girls with more respect LOL
So lemme know

Oh and just incase I've already traded with you....so many trabsactions....find it hard sometimes to remember everybody and how I met em!

Oh and for others....quail are great...tricky to master sexing and sorting (sometimes they fool you for weeks) but managing, feeding and watering is a breeze. Oh and my daughter tames them up real nice...they actually rub up on us for petting...great for kids...and 1 or 2 can be kept in the house if there are favorites! (hubby disagrees about the visits in the indoor quail visitor cage...but I think the are sweet annd easy to keep!
Also great lil eggs for the kids and sensitive tummys.
Meat is nice as mentioned...and cook up quick for sandwichs etc.
Quail are popping around here too....have 20 breeders....15 4 week olds and another 30 expected in 1 1/2 weeks....yes I'm still running the bator. :)
T

Dom · 2009-10-28 18:46:37

Ok I think I am getting Courtix eggs!!! :yahoo:
Any suggestions on humidity (I will have Temp at 99.5 as always)?
I am thinking about putting some in with my chicken eggs. i have Chickens at 50-55%, would this be ok?
I have a separate area for hatching, so no need to worry about having eggs incubating and hatching!

So, what should I have humidity at (during hatch and incubation)?

5 turns a day as always will be what I'm doing.

Emilys3guppies · 2009-10-28 20:32:12

That'd be great, Tara! I only have jumbo browns but would love to get some colour into my pens!

I'm collecting eggs for the next few weeks for Dom and my aunt...it will probably be too late into winter by then?

I keep my temp at 99.5*f. I keep my humidity at 40-50% for the first 14 days and then up it to 70-75% for the last 4 days, for coturnix quail. I've found that quail eggs aren't a slave to turning, as much as chicken eggs are. I've turned twice a day or as many as 7 times a day by hand. I heard someone once say that quail will hatch dispite our best efforts. LOL.

Dom · 2009-10-28 20:54:46

It is getting late already
I don't need a lot though-just a few to try out. Maybe collect till monday for me and that would be fine-I prefer less eggs that are fresher.
If that is what you keep humidity at then I can put them in with my chicken eggs no problem
I'll need to find something for hatching though....that is very high! Do i boost humidity exactly at day 14? Or should I wait for a pip? I heard that it is best to wait till the external pip to raise humidity.

Can't wait for some eggs!

AlbertaChickensEtc

Announcement

Adverts

#16 2009-10-27 10:51:29

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

TysExotics wrote:

2009-10-27 10:51:29

#17 2009-10-27 12:47:06

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#18 2009-10-27 14:45:53

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#19 2009-10-28 13:15:53

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#20 2009-10-28 16:44:10

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#21 2009-10-28 18:46:37

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#22 2009-10-28 20:32:12

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

#23 2009-10-28 20:54:46

Re: Courtnix Quail Explosion!

Board footer