Housing and care for Coturnix / Japanese Quail

[@normanprice5351]

You care for your Quail in a way that is beyond simply housing and feeding which is good to see-- it's so.sad to see so many videos of quail simply left in a small cage all day with nothing for them to do ... Norman England

[@TheGrumpyGardener]

Many thanks for this vid, I do think quail may be a better option for me rather than hens.Some great filming as well!!

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

The Grumpy Gardener I'm glad it was helpful.

[@katpeters-midland8174]

Thank you for your video! I love it that they have a night time home and daytime home.

[@therealtyrone1697]

Do they make good pets like I heard they are hard to tame but if you get them as babies are you able to handle them when they get older?

[@mylittlepony7477]

I have one male... Home brooded Doesn't like humans touching him.. pecks the shit out of us.. but hes adorable

[@fringedweller9058]

I love this vid and can't wait to get mine

[@Davdngo]

Can I used crushed egg shells as their calcium supplement?

[@lindsaynorman9323]

quail chicks are like cotton balls with toothpick legs, ive been able to get a hen to go in the brooder with chick and she adopts them. now i use my tamest hen for this. it has saved the chicks before when there was a storm that had our power out for 3 days. the chicks were only like 3 or 4 days old they would have froze for sure if i hadnt had the hen in there. this may not work for all hens and i always watch the brooder after i put the hen in. just grab a tea and drink it and watch them .do you find the turkey feed pellet size is a bit big for them? I usually get game bird grower but had to get turkey grower once as they were out of gamebird feed. i found they wasted alot as they had to peck alot to break the pieces up. maybe if was just my sack but that what i found. turkey feed does fill their dietary needs though

[@cj597]

I would like 5 or 6 quail hens, would they live comfortably in a 5x4 Wendy house? I would like to remove the windows and replace with mesh for ventilation. Do I treat them like small chickens in terms of substrate, dust bath, entertainment? I would like to feed them turkey grower and oyster shell. Thanks for any help you can give. And do you have any tips for wannabe first time owners?

[@jeanctc]

I've had 2 white females go brooby and they hatched 8 and 11 chicks respectively. This is my first time raising quails. I have a question: are white ones always smaller than brown ones? Mine are.

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Oh wow. I think the brown tend to be larger.

[@animalworld2900]

Thank you for this information! I am trying to convince my parents to get me quail and this will really help!

[@kaiyas9464]

Would it be possible to use this setup for chucker parties, other than the night cage? I am planning on building a coop with warm nesting boxes that is connected to their run.

[@ANTHONYHADENWEST]

Lovely and helpful video. THANK YOU ANGELA.

[@jenfarmer2063]

Angela's kitchen garden I just bought 10 hens and 4 roos on Thursday in the hope of rearing some, selling eggs and selling them at my local market to get some extra pocket money as I'm going back to college. Would you suggest keeping the brooding box indoors or could I put it outdoors in a well sheltered shed/old aviary? I might be short of space indoors as I'm planning on setting eggs in batches of 100+ if possible (I have a big old polystyrene incubator with an auto-rotater) if you could give me some pointers that would be great 😊🐣

[@MElaughs]

Dust bath I used was fine sand & dry wood ash (2:1 cup), mix carefully until evenly distributed, add 4 tablespoons of water, not enough to make a clay but to help coat the sand. use in a separate boxed off area with a dish (There's a red earth you can use instead of ash, but gets expensive). The only reason I boxed it off was when the sand became white from a lack of ash, I knew to gather it and mix in more ash. Quail are a wonderful animal to have around with such a relaxing chirp. They are a cuddly handful laying rich little eggs - sad to say, they too are also delicious. I advise cuddling your quail and making them feel loved when you hold them, especially if they are to be your food - personally I think it's a crucial part of animal husbandry.

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

They really are cute.

[@funzgm5358]

This is my beautiful cute quail

[@jaycee4389]

Enjoyed watching your vid. Clear instructions and love your accent. I live in Australia. I’m thinking of raising quails but wondering g if I can combine a couple of small chooks

[@meowzinga]

I’m not an owner of quails but how big are your chooks? I’ve done a little bit of research and most don’t recommend chooks with quails.

[@judgeofyeah]

If your chooks are bigger then the Quails dont put them in. Bigger birds will kill Quails in a matter of days.

[@TheRealPaintist]

where was this vid made btw? anywhere in england, LONDON, or anywhere perhaps?

[@chrystamalcrackers1478]

if possible, do you think you could put links for the feeders and drinkers?

[@kromsnavelfun]

It wouldbe nice to give them some places to hide in the ren.

[@torIIgo]

What kind of substrate do you use for their enclosure, and how often do you clean? I am considering some coturnix hens for eggs and I don't like the idea of having their feet constantly on wire floor.

[@iigoofylucyii8103]

Aspen is a good substrate

[@philodendronobsession2891]

Hello Tiny Stash did you end up getting some quails? I’m wondering about the same thing.

[@kit2130]

You're wrong about the life expectancy. I have a pet bobwhite who is going on 6 yrs & my friend had one she named Bumblebee funny enough (she said the same thing that you did about how they look as babies) & it lived to be 9 yrs old!!

[@sinine1100]

Coturnix coturnix (common quail) "normal" lifespan should be 5-6 years. So yes, definitely underestimated it...

[@thebunnyman367]

Hi , Great video spoken to you once before what Food do you feed you quail as my hens are now 8 weeks old and not one egg someone on the Facebook group said just feed them wild bird seed is this correct as I have not had one egg please advise Thank you xx

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

You can now buy specific quail breeders pellets which are great for egg production.

[@ThatChase]

Do you clip their wings?

[@the1stooge128]

Does anyone know if I can have two females live together? Or males. I want them as pets and know they r social, but dont want babies.

[@kit2130]

the 1 Stooge get females if you don't want babies. I have 3 females & 1 male in a parrot cage that I layered with grass & 2 nesting areas then huge bark ramps that lead to a 2nd & 3rd level. They do very well inside. They need a covered dust bath area though. They also scratch their food so it can be messy if you don't cover the lower sides.

[@Knoe-lp2wl]

K It Hey I want to get a pet Cortunix, how loud are they, and if you get a chick can you tame it?

[@kit2130]

Kyler Noe they can get loud when they’re calling for a mate. One of my 3 calls at night for some reason lol, but not for very long. Yes they can be tame. My friend had a bobwhite & she would hold it & it would just chatter away in her hands. All quail have so many different vocalizations & they (at least mine), change their volume as I’m nearer. You’ll have to handle it a lot as a baby & as it grows. As a wild game bird they can be very jumpy & cautious but just hold it gently as often as you can!

[@gshizz5044]

Can you not clip their feathers and give them a cage that allows flying? Also, could you leave them in a hutch outside with a heat lamp?

[@wolfie6075]

They don't actually like to fly, it's only really a last resort for them

[@theholybuttfungus5911]

G Shizz They really won’t fly at all. It’s used to escape predators for the most part they prefer to jump and climb if they want to get somewhere up high. The only quail you should worry about flying on a “regular” basis are bobwhites and California quail, but that’s only because they perch in trees so they’ll fly up into them other than that again flight is a predator response.

[@jecriggs]

They would not need a heat lamp during the spring, summer and fall months if they are on the ground, just some kind of shelter with bedding. They are hardy birds that don't need supplemental heat as adults. They suffer more from the heat in the summer than the cold in the winter. They do appreciate shelters to keep out of the sun, wind, and rain If you have them on the ground, it's very important to make their housing as predator-proof as possible. Coturnix quails are not flight birds; they will fly short distances sometimes, usually to seek cover and will "flush" (fly straight up) if startled, but have no need for an enclosure with high walls because they are ground birds.

[@jammer9294]

What is the hatch rate for quail eggs without incubators?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I have never had a broody hen so I am unsure as I have always used an incubator.

[@nfd8-w7q]

I've got a question. I'm looking into buying quails for their eggs. Now I live in an apartment complex and I would be unable to bring them outside but I would be able to provide them with ample space in my extra bedroom. Are quails an animal you can keep indoors or is it pretty much essential that they get outside daily?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

You could keep them indoors but they are quite messy and so it would depend on if you would mind the dust, feathers and bedding being indoors. Give them some fresh greens to peck at as well for added enrichment.

[@nfd8-w7q]

@@AngelasKitchenGarden Thanks for the response. Admittedly I probably won't because I already breed reptiles in that room and in hindsight it might actually stress a lot of my species out to hear birds constantly.

[@rawkoifish]

Dumb question but how do you clean up their poop? You have woodchips in your pen so do you change it out?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I use a scoop / dustpan to pick up the dirty litter which I put into my compost bin.

[@bunnypetite1471]

What do you do when it starts snowing and what is a recommended feed for 5 week old quail

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Where I live it doesn't tend to get too cold. If it drops below freezing I bring them into the garage to help keep them above freezing and put a blanket over the cage at night.

[@babsoneverything3060]

Does this breed tolerate winter temperatures well, or do they need a heat source? Thank you.

[@kit2130]

Babs LovesYeshua heat. Sorry she's not answering so I will lol. I use flat coop heaters they can covey near. You can get them at atwoods or online.

[@stephendekoning5689]

Your basically using turkey feed seems, if you used game bird feed (24-28 or 30%) us see increased activities all year round including eggs meatier birds and faster growth and longer production years. I used caged bird calcium grit for added calcium,and raised feed n waterers on bricks ect to help keep them from putting shavings poop feathers and dust out of. Great setup and beautiful birds calm and happy.

[@petegenpetegen]

aww, i wish they lived longer...where can i source oyster shell?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I picked it up from our local farm shop that sells the food for them.

[@bradisthebest2483]

Hello i would like to start looking after quail and i would like to know if i let them rome my good sized garden would they escape or should i make them a large cage thing like urs but a bit bigger

[@ShannasCountryCreek]

❤️ love. Great info. We are getting started soon. New sub 🥰

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Good luck. Hope you have enjoyed having them.

[@ShannasCountryCreek]

@Angela's Kitchen Garden thank you we love them🥰

[@omeralnahi]

Did i must put any source for heating them in the winter or not . Thank u

[@denisegirmer4550]

Do they get diseases? Need vet care?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Mine didn't but if they got sick I would take them to the vet.

[@rosiecrocker1761]

where do you find organic turkey crumble? i have had no luck

[@kit2130]

Rosie Crocker farm stores like Atwoods, Tractor Supply, orschleins or general feed stores all sell what called "gamebird" bags of food. It's a crumble with a high protein percentage.

[@awaisghani300]

my texas and m quail is very small.is she too young or is something wrong with her

[@ethan8278]

I live next to a pair of cats. Should I keep them outside?

[@Cyanbirdie]

cats will kill them in a heartbeat. I live in a street with quite a few cats, they've already attacked my quail through the coop and killed the neighbours budgie. I had to go to extreme lengths to make sure they are safe outside. I had to double mesh the entire coop and build and enclosure around it.

[@freyawhiting2372]

Hello! I was just wondering what the name of the food you feed them is as I’m struggling to find the correct food for my quail! 😆 thank you so much

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I now get breeders quail mix as this is now available.

[@denisegirmer4550]

How long do quail eggs last? How do you keep them ? Ty so many wonderful facts and tips!

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

In the fridge eggs will keep up to 6 weeks as long as they weren't left out too long before going into the fridge and didn't get too hot.

[@apetrey]

But do they fly?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Yes but not very well.

[@Jupaodebatata]

I want to have quails as my pets, I always thought they were cute lol, it would be a lot easier to take care of than my birds as they don't fly. I plan on keeping them in the aviary overnight and building a large portable cage that I can put in my yard during the day.

[@sinine1100]

Quail fly. Not readily, but they can fly in short bursts really well. I know of people who found it out by accident when something startled their birds...

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

Sounds great.

[@jakobxd8900]

Can you keep quails Inside? Sorry I’m new to this...

[@PrairieDawnC]

You can but they're very smelly and the boys can be loud. You need to change bedding daily if they are inside and put them where they won't disturb sleep

[@iigoofylucyii8103]

Yup

[@9catlover]

this is so helpful as i am incubating eggs so hopefully we have some chicks soon

[@teamglow9013]

Update?

[@9catlover]

@@teamglow9013 i think i did it wrong. no hatchings. i forgot to turn them :( i am trying normal eggs now. I couldn't get quail eggs from online grocery order...not even at ocado...i guess they aren't considered essential. but once things become normal...i hope to try again.

[@caileyalana5327]

@@9catlover Just remember not to turn them too much or else they won't know which way is up and will not know how to hatch out of the egg, leaving them to die inside of it. Sad but could happen.

[@hydrogenbomb1737]

What should I do during winter? I live in Oregon so our winters can be pretty harsh should I have them inside or get a heating lamp or something?

[@iigoofylucyii8103]

I recommend keeping them inside when it gets very cold/during a storm they might die from the lack of heat.

[@kittenjewel1012]

do you eat the eggs? and if so do they taste like chicken eggs?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I do eat them and yes they taste like chicken eggs. They are quite tricky to crack open so I got a pair of quail egg scissors from amazon which has made it really easy.

[@sugaryjams6223]

Angela's Kitchen Garden they are hard to crack? So thats why it takes so long for them to hatch

[@jecriggs]

@@sugaryjams6223 It's not so much the shells that are tough to crack; they have much thicker/tougher membranes than chicken eggs, and that's what makes them tricky to open without quail egg scissors. I find that they taste a little bit creamier than chicken eggs. BTW, the incubation period for quail eggs is 18 days on average. This is less than chicken eggs, which take an average of 21 days. I'm not sure why you think it takes quail eggs a long time to hatch ...

[@sydneyatkins6249]

3:16 ummm no, they live between 10-15 years if properly cared for...

[@Boterkoekjex]

no no no no no, rabbits don't belong in cages!

[@jetblack748]

The question is if u can keep them in a town house? Space no problem but will the neighbours complain about the noise?

[@AngelasKitchenGarden]

I wouldnt keep them inside the house. I had them with neighbours living either side and I didnt have any complaints about the noise and they didn't bother us.