A Case for Quails

I had Muskogee ducks. Great meat, they just wouldn't stay at the pond where I built a floating nesting box. Oh no, never that!

 

Dad and I shot a raccoon once, cleaned and cooked it. Pretty good, but Mom and Sis thought they were so cute, they were banned from being hunted.
A neighbor, same one who raised quails, also had turkeys, peacocks and a couple ducks. One turkey, "Turklet", would pluck buttons off our shirts and try to climb in our laps... he was full grown! Cheeky bird.

 

@Seawolf1090 That turklet sounds like it was a real character. I love how intricate they look. Cuteness causes a lot of issues when it comes to getting rid invaders, doesn't it?
We had 6 months of serene peace until the next door neighbors fell in love with a random rooster and now there are chicks everywhere again and the block's getting less sleep.

 

Wifee and daughter were thinking about chicken, so I will share your thoughts about quail. One of my friends on Oahu also raises quail. No where @Alanaana's level, but they get enough eggs for their family and to engage her foodie creativity. Not sure if they have eaten any of the quail yet, but I find them delicious.

 

Hubby and I are looking to get into raising quail. We are still in the researching phase but hope to start buying equipment soon. There is a farm that sells them the next town over.

 

@mysterymet I highly recommend quails! I think they are easier to care for than chickens once you have good, protected housing. They are also more quiet and the eggs and meat are delicious! Let me know if you have questions.

 

@Hanzo I wish I would have known you before we rehomed our flock a few months ago. I would have given you a whole setup and gifted you with thousands of eggs and lots of meat too. I would have kept a minimal flock, but we rehomed because we are thinking of hopefully doing some traveling. It's one thing to find a cat or a dogsitter, but farm animals are a little trickier to find extended care for

 

Thank you for the thought.

 

Even with a couple of dogs, we have to do scheduling gymnastics. So I totally understand. We have to consider that too even with quails.

 

@Hanzo It's definitely important to take that into account especially if you go out of town and travel. Chickens can basically survive off of the land here. I have a wild flock that roosts in the trees (do give them feed, clean water, kitchen scraps, and treat them for mites and parasites. Otherwise they pretty much take charge), but quails definitely need more protection and guidance for survival.

They are sweet, peaceful, entertaining to watch, provide excellent eggs, meat, and fertilizer, but also very aloof.