How to Breed Quail

Quail are game birds that can be raised by hobbyists for release on their own lands. They are attractive birds that can adapt to many climates and environments. If you start them off well, you can raise quail for many generations to meet your own needs or populate your private land.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Forced air incubator
• Brooder box with heat lamp

Start a Flock

1. Choose pullets wisely. You will want to choose pullets that are between 30 and 35 days old, and that are of uniform size. Starting with 10 to 15 pullets will give you plenty of birds for breeding a successful flock.

2. Prepare their home. A small coop will suffice for breeding quail. To ensure enough size for the adult birds, allow 4.5 by 4.5 inches per adult bird.

3. Purchase high quality feed for your quail. These birds need feed with a protein content of between 28 percent at the chick stage and 24 percent at the grower stage. Allowing these proportions will ensure a healthy breeding flock.

Manage Your Flock

4. Allow one male for every three females. This ratio will encourage breeding among your flock.

5. Gather the eggs. The females are not good natural mothers and you will want to hatch the eggs in an incubator.

6. Set the temperature in the incubator at 99.5 degrees and 60 percent humidity. Turn the eggs 4 to 5 times a day until the last 2 days when you will leave them alone to settle. At the same time you can lower the temperature 1 degree and increase the humidity to 70 percent.

7. Move the quail hatchlings to a brooder box that is heated with a heat lamp. Keep them warm (about 95 degrees) and keep the brooder box clean. Provide fresh water and food and you will be able to watch your babies grow.

8. Transfer the young quail to growing cages or your quail coop when they are 15 days old. Provide a fenced yard where they can enjoy fresh grass and bugs and still have access to the coop for protection from predators.