Day 41 Coturnix Quail

This is a coturnix quail. They are full grown at 8 weeks. Start laying eggs at 8 weeks vs a chicken which starts at around 20 weeks.

They will not sit on their eggs for hatching so you have to use an incubator or find someone that has chicks for sale.

Each hen will lay about 300 eggs per year.

Tomorrow we will talk about incubators.

Rooster on the left, hen on the right.

Day 11

Quail hatching today.  Started with 50 eggs in the incubator.  We candled then at day 14 to see how many were fertile.  We had 34 that were good.  First one hatched at 16 days 9 hours.  So far we have 15 that have hatched and one just about out of shell.  Most all will hatch by day 18.

The quail start laying eggs at 7 to 8 weeks old vs a chicken that starts laying at around 20 weeks.

To me quail are a great addition to a homestead due to small foot print and great egg and meat production.  For example:  We are on a third of an acre lot in a subdivision and have over 100 quail.  I need to put 40 roosters in the smoker or freezer.  Last night I got 39 eggs which equals about 8 chicken eggs. 

Quail tractor.

 

 



Quail in incubator.

 



Quail in brooder.

Day 4

Cooking hot dogs and making ice cream.  The ice cream is made with quail eggs this time.  Just tasted the ice cream, it is fantastic!

Storm is coming so got the yard mowed early.  Storm should be here tonight and tomorrow.

All animals on the farm are doing well except for Reggie the rooster.  His wings have some blood on them.  I think he is chasing the women around an they are saying NO!

 

Deviled quail eggs.

Reggie the rooster.

 

 

Day 2

Donna and I made a bunch of deviled quail eggs for our nephews graduation lunch party. They seemed to be a hit. Lots of questions from the 50 or so people that were there.  Forgot to get a picture of finished product.

We watched the movie Left Behind with Nic Cage.  Ok, but off the mark to what I see scripture says.  They made it seem that the rapture was just a warning to start doing what God wants you to do.  Anyway,  enough of that befote I start preaching.  Lol