September 2025

How to Raise Quail on A Hobby Farm: A Complete Guide

Adding quail to a hobby farm is a great investment of time and energy, but they require specific housing and dietary needs. In this article, we interviewed a seasoned homesteader to learn more about how to raise quail successfully.

Lindsey Chastain, founder of The Waddle and Cluck, began her homesteading journey with a small garden and a few rabbits. Just a few years ago, she and her family were able to purchase some acreage and start their own homestead.

“We added chickens and ducks, then expanded to quail,” she says. “We had the idea that we could raise them in a much more natural habitat than those tiny cages and give them a wonderful life while enjoying their eggs.”

According to Lindsey, one of the benefits of raising quail is that they aren't very noisy, and they don’t require a lot of space.

“They are less likely to annoy your neighbors than chickens,” she adds. “But they aren’t completely quiet. The females make quiet coo sounds, but the males make crow sounds. However, it is nowhere near as loud as a rooster!”

Despite the common misconception, quail aren’t just tiny chickens. They have their own unique space and nutritional needs. But with proper care and consideration, they can be prolific egg layers and certain breeds provide a reliable meat source.

In this article, we talk with Lindsey to share everything you need to know about how to raise quail.

How to Choose the Right Quail Breed for Your Hobby Farm

When you’re considering raising quail on your hobby farm, start by asking yourself, “What am I raising quail for?” This is an important step, as there are several options available – you can choose from meat, egg, pet and dual-purpose breeds.

This will help guide your decision on the type you’d like to raise, but depending on where you live, some breeds may not be readily available.

Best Quail Breeds Recommended for Hobby Farms

Coturnix Quail

Lindsey recommends that every beginner start with the Coturnix quail (also known as Japanese quail) as they are fast-growing and the most common.

“They are the easiest breed to find,” she says. “They’re also great layers, and pretty hardy for most zones.”

These birds are fast-growing, characterized by brown and white stripe markings. Males tend to be a darker brown, while females have light chest feathers.

The Coturnix is considered a dual-purpose breed, meaning they are ideal for both meat and egg production. You can expect hens to begin laying eggs at about 8 weeks old, producing approximately 250 to 300 eggs per year.*

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Bobwhite Quail

The Bobwhite breed is another excellent choice for beginners and is considered a wild or ornamental species. They are another dual-purpose bird, providing meat and eggs.

Typically, males have a white stripe that goes across their eyes and throat, while females tend to have a brownish stripe instead.

Females are seasonal layers and won’t start laying until around 16-20 weeks. They lay about 100 to 200 eggs per year, but only in the spring and summer.

Button Quail

This breed is tiny and cute, but according to Lindsey, they aren’t practical for eggs or meat production. Females are generally larger and brighter in color than males.

If you’re looking to add quail as pets, the Button Quail is the best option, as they are quiet and easy to maintain.

Other quail breeds to consider include:

California Quail
Gambel’s Quail
Pharaoh Quail

*Note: Most quail won’t lay in the colder months.

How Many Quail Should You Get for Your Hobby Farm?

When starting, Lindsey says homesteaders don’t need a lot of birds. A small group, also known as a “bevy” or “covey,” is manageable.

“Start small. Six to eight quail will produce enough eggs for a family,” she says.

It’s also important to consider your female-to-male ratio. Because males are territorial, too many in a small space can cause unwanted fighting. According to Lindsey, the best ratio is 3-4 females to one male.

“If you have more than one male, it’s best to have more space so they can separate themselves,” says Lindsey. “We had some battles before we moved all our quail to a larger aviary.”

Raising Quail for Eggs vs. Meat Production: A Few Things to Consider

Depending on your goals for raising quail on a hobby farm, there are a few things to consider.

Raising Quail for Eggs

Many homesteaders raise quail for their highly nutritious, tiny eggs. In relation to chicken eggs, quail eggs are more concentrated and provide a denser nutrient profile. They contain higher amounts of protein, vitamin B12, iron, are rich in antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals.[1][2]

To give you an idea of how small their eggs are, on average, three quail eggs equal one medium-sized chicken egg.

If you’re planning to eat the eggs, Lindsey recommends buying a pair of quail egg scissors: “They are just a few dollars and will save you hours of frustration trying to crack eggs and not get shells in everything.”

Do you need a male for quail egg production?

No! A female will lay just as many eggs without a male present. But if you’d like to have baby quail, or plan to incubate eggs, you’ll want to raise a male, too.

How to incubate quail eggs

Because female quail typically do not get broody, the best way to grow your bevy is to incubate and hatch out fertile eggs.

Quail eggs can be incubated in a standard chicken incubator. The process is the same except for the time frame. Chicken eggs incubate for 18-21 days before hatching, while quail eggs take about 17 to 18 days.

“Look for an incubator that offers quail egg holders or plan to manually rotate the eggs,” says Lindsey. “I have yet to see a female quail go broody and sit on eggs for any length of time, so the incubator is your best bet.”

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Raising Quail for Meat

If you’re planning to raise quail for meat, you’ll need to learn when and how to process them humanely.

Coturnix quail, for example, reach table weight when they are about 6-8 weeks of age. Other breeds can take up to 10-14 weeks.

“Cervical dislocation or a small culling cone are the most humane methods for processing meat birds,” says Lindsey. “Don’t cull birds in view of others, it will stress them out.”

For beginners, Lindsey suggests gaining hands-on experience with someone who already has culling knowledge, so you can be swift with the dispatch.

“Quail are small and harder to handle,” she continues. “They are stronger than they look. Hesitation causes undue stress and pain. Guidance from an expert with experience will help ensure that you are confident and swift.”

Quail Enclosures for Creating the Best Shelter and Space

To keep your quail happy, safe and comfortable, you’ll need to build or purchase an enclosure that suits their natural habitat needs and protects them from predators and harsh weather.

Quail Cage and Space Requirements

A quail cage needs to be either very short or very tall because quail “flush,” which means they jump or fly straight up. The ideal space is 12-18” or 5-6’ tall.

“It needs to be short enough so they can’t flush, or tall enough so they won’t hit the top when they do flush,” says Lindsey. “On our homestead, we have opted for 5-6’ tall in their natural habitat.”

Additionally, you’ll need to plan for at least one square foot of floor space per quail. They spend most of their lives on the ground, rarely roosting and like to hunker down underneath bushes.

“If you have the space, plant a native bush or two in the outdoor section,” recommends Lindsey.

For those new to raising quail, Lindsey says the best place to start is with a converted rabbit hutch with a sheltered section or small aviary pens.

“They need access to dirt or a dust bath, a caged outdoor area and an area where they can go for shelter,” she says.

Enrichment for Quail is Necessary

Yes, quail can get bored! Therefore, it’s essential to provide them with entertainment options within their home.

Lindsey’s quail love flower pots and triangle stick shelters with hay covering them. She says they also enjoy darting about in extra hay on the ground and will play in upside-down baskets with little doors cut into them.

A Lesson Learned

When she first got started, Lindsey learned a lot about proper housing and how to provide her bevy with the right cage and space.

“Our biggest mistake was converting a big box chicken coop into a quail pen. The quail can’t use the upper portion for roosting, and the height of 3’ was not ideal. We also overcrowded a bit. Some internet advice will say you can have three quail per square foot – that led to some pretty bloody battles with the males.”

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How to Protect Quail from Predators and Extreme Weather

Quail are small birds, making them easy prey for predators. To keep them safe, you’ll need to ensure their enclosures are predator-proof.

According to Lindsey, chicken wire won’t cut it: “Raccoons can reach right through and pull quail out. Snakes can get in. Hawks, rats and even cats – quail are vulnerable to just about any predator you can think of.”

Hardware cloth is best – ½” or smaller – and it’s essential to make sure the sides of the pen are fully secure. Adding a floor also helps keep predators out. This can be made out of hardware cloth or extending the wire siding out from the bottom of the cage to deter digging predators. A roof is also vital for keeping birds in and aerial predators out.

Also, include an indoor section that your quail can go into for protection from both predators and weather.

“In the winter, we put thick plastic over most of the hardware cloth, allowing for airflow to keep the aviary warmer and to keep harsher weather, like snow, out,” says Lindsey.

What Do Quail Eat? Feeding Tips for Raising Healthy Birds

Just like ducks, quail have unique dietary requirements. They require more protein than chickens, so you’ll need to plan to purchase a special type of feed.

Daily Quail Diet Essentials

Quail require a feed with 24-30% protein, compared to 16-18% for chickens. Crumbled game bird feed is the best option as it’s easier for them to eat with their tiny beaks. Feed and fresh, clean water should always be readily available.

For easier cleanup, Lindsey recommends keeping all food and water out of the shelter section of their aviary. And, when it comes to offering water to newly hatched quail, she shares this pro tip:

“After we hatched our first batch, we gave them water that was a little too deep and almost lost one to drowning. My pro tip is to use the chick waterers, but fill the dish with rocks or glass flower beads from the dollar store so they can’t fall in.”

Yummy Bug Treats

Also plan to supplement daily feed with insects – a favorite treat. If quail do not have access to fresh grass and to free-range, Lindsey says you can supplement with dried crickets and mealworms.

“If you have your quail outdoors in a safely caged area where they can go outside, they will get a lot of protein and fun hunting insects,” she adds.

In addition to game bird feed, insects and clean water, quail don’t necessarily require additional food or treats, but they do enjoy them.

Healthy Treats for Quail

In addition to their daily feed and insects, Lindsey recommends offering leafy greens, herbs and chopped veggies, but only in moderation.

Quail enjoy treats, such as:

Leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce
Squash and cucumbers
Root vegetables like carrots
Small pieces of fruit, including blueberries, bananas and watermelon (this is especially great for hydrating your bevy on hot summer days)
Crushed eggshells
Unsalted seeds like sunflower
Grit: This is especially important when feeding your quail any of the above treats to aid in proper digestion.

“They do need grit if they are fed any kind of seeds or grains – those are nutritionally necessary,” explains Lindsey. “If they have outdoor access in that safe space, they will naturally get grit from the dirt.”

Foods to Avoid Feeding Quail

Just like any other poultry species on the homestead, certain foods shouldn’t be given to quail to help keep them healthy and safe.

Foods to avoid feeding to quail include:

Sweet and salty foods of any kind. If you do feed your quail seeds, be sure to double-check that they are unsalted
Foods considered toxic to quail include avocado, chocolate and tomatoes
Starchy foods like potatoes
Processed foods
Moldy foods

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Keeping Quail Healthy & Clean on the Homestead

It’s simple to keep your quail bevy healthy on the homestead. Most common health problems can be avoided with a clean, dry habitat that isn’t overcrowded.

Weekly cage cleanings are essential for removing droppings and preventing parasites and other pests from infesting the area.

Common Quail Health Issues to Watch For

To keep your bevy healthy, it’s essential to watch for common health issues that can affect them*. These include:

Respiratory infections
Bumblefoot
Coccidiosis
Egg binding
Heat stress

“Quail hide illness pretty well,” says Lindsey. “You may never know they are sick. And, unfortunately, most of the time, once you realize a quail is sick, it’s too late.”

If you suspect illness, look out for labored breathing or unusual sounds, lethargy, changes in droppings, self-isolation, not eating or drinking and plucking their feathers.

If you catch an illness, Lindsey advises separating the infected bird from the bevy and administering care or calling your local veterinarian. She also recommends quarantining new quail for at least 2 to 4 weeks. This will help prevent introducing illness that the new birds might have contracted.

Lindsey’s most helpful tip is to spend time with your quail every day: “That way, you’ll know when something is amiss.”

*Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian if you have any concerns about your quail’s health or behavior.