The Quail Farming Guide

La Belle Caille de Blé – Your Partner in Quality Equipment Offers You This Guide

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Foreword

The interest in raising poultry or small game is growing steadily. Many future quail breeders have questions about the challenges associated with this type of farming.
This small guide is designed to give you practical information and motivate you to pursue your hobby or small business.

Chapter 2 – The Quail

The domestic quail belongs to the Phasianidae family (pheasant-like birds).
It is relatively easy to raise and does not require complicated facilities.
Quails have long been raised for their meat and eggs, and their consumption continues to grow. In southern countries, they are used in many traditional dishes.

A quail breeder is called a coturniculturist, and the activity is known as coturniculture.
It is important to raise only domesticated strains of quail.

Chapter 3 – Breeding Stock

Quails intended for reproduction reach sexual maturity at 6 to 7 weeks of age.
For good fertility, keep 1 male for 3 to 4 females.

In a half-square-meter cage, you can house 8 males and 24 females, which gives optimal results.
Our VC47 and VC48 cages include feeders with a capacity of about 1 kg.

A breeding quail consumes around 35 g of feed per day, so a single evening feeding is usually sufficient.
Check waterers daily: water is essential for quail health and necessary to maintain egg production. Without water, egg-laying stops immediately.

The room temperature must not fall below 15 °C.
Below this, quails will molt, which interrupts laying for nearly six weeks.
Proper feed and supplements can shorten this period (see our “Feed and Supplements” section).

With good management, breeding birds remain productive for around 8 months, during which each laying female can produce up to 250 eggs.

Une femelle et un mâle de caille

Chapter 4 – Fresh Eggs

Quail eggs are appreciated for their delicate flavor and small size—children especially love them.
They are considered relatively hypoallergenic and may help with certain sensitivities.

Selling fresh quail eggs can provide an additional income stream.
Do not underestimate their commercial value.

Chapter 5 – Fertile Eggs

Eggs collected from breeding cages (e.g., the VC47) are typically 80% fertile, sometimes more.

Eggs are usually laid in the evening; collect them gently.
Store fertile eggs in a cool place, around 15 °C, with about 60% humidity—a pantry or cellar is ideal.

If the air is too dry, the egg’s albumen can evaporate slightly through the shell, reducing hatching success.

Eggs can be stored for up to 10 days before incubation.

Before setting them in the incubator, sort them:

• too small

• too large

• too pointed

• too round

→ These should be excluded from incubation and sold as fresh eggs.

An ideal hatching egg weighs around 12 g, is about 34 mm long, and has a minimum diameter of 25 mm.
These values can vary depending on the strain.

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Chapter 6 – Incubation

There are two types of incubators:

1. Forced-air incubators (with ventilation)

2. Still-air incubators

Still-air incubators must be installed in a well-ventilated room to ensure proper air exchange.

When setting up an incubator, consider:

• humidity

• temperature

• day/night fluctuations

Settings:

• Thermostat: 38 °C

• Preheat for at least 48 hours before setting eggs

• Place a water container to maintain humidity

Eggs may be placed:

• horizontally, or

• pointed end down

Leave space between eggs for good air circulation.

Chapter 7 – The Incubation Period

Quail eggs hatch in 17 days.

For the first 14 days, turn the eggs 3 to 5 times per day, unless the incubator includes an automatic turner.
Turning prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell.

Maintain the temperature at 38 °C.
Monitor the water level carefully, as humidity is crucial to embryo development.

Chapter 8 – Hatching

On day 14, stop turning the eggs.
Increase humidity slightly to make hatching easier.

From this point onward, do not open the incubator, except in case of emergency.

Chicks start to hatch by making a small crack in the shell (pipping).
It may take several hours for them to fully emerge.

Let chicks dry completely inside the incubator before removing them.

Chapter 9 – The First Hours of Life

Once dry, transfer chicks to the brooder.

Because they are extremely small and delicate, ensure there is no draft and that the brooder is clean and disinfected.

Scatter feed on paper for the first few days so chicks can easily find it.

Provide water in a very shallow drinker, ideally with pebbles to prevent drowning.

Chapter 10 – The Brooding Period

Brooder temperature:

• 35 °C for the first week

• then reduce by 2–3 degrees each week

At 4 weeks, quails no longer need supplemental heat.

Use a heat lamp or heating plate with reliable temperature control.

Change the water daily and maintain excellent cleanliness.

Chapter 11 – Feeding Chicks

Quail chicks require a very high-protein, energy-rich starter feed.
Use a feed containing 24% to 28% protein.

Avoid chicken starter with insufficient protein.

Requirements:

• fine crumb texture

• high digestibility

• medication-free unless necessary

At 4 weeks, switch to a grower feed.

CHAPITRE 10 - L’ENGRAISSEMENT

Les cailleteaux ont déjà bien profité dans la maternité. Leur poids atteint environ 60 grammes après une dizaine de jours. L'important c'est avoir placer des bons oeufs dans une bonne couveuse, et voilà le résultat.

Chapter 12 – Health & Hygiene

Good hygiene is the foundation of successful quail farming.

Key points:

• Clean and disinfect equipment regularly

• Remove wet bedding and leftover feed daily

• Provide good ventilation without drafts

• Check birds daily for signs of illness:

  • lethargy

  • fluffed feathers

  • diarrhea

  • reduced appetite

Water is a major contamination source: change it daily.

Prevention is always better than treatment.

Chapter 13 – Selecting Birds

Proper selection is essential for strong, productive quails.

Choose birds based on:

• vitality

• weight

• body shape

• laying ability (females)

• fertility (males)

Avoid small birds or those with deformities.

Use breeding stock from healthy, productive lines.

Chapter 15 – Feeding Adult Quails

Adults consume 25–30 g of feed per day.

Feed types by stage:

1. starter feed

2. grower feed

3. layer feed

Layer feed should contain:

• 20–22% protein

• high calcium

• good energy sources

Water must be clean and always available.
A lack of water immediately stops laying.

Chapter 16 – Light & Production

Quails need light to lay eggs.

Provide:

• 14 to 16 hours of light per day

Use a timer for consistency.

Avoid overly bright light—this causes aggression and feather pecking.

Chapter 17 – Molting

Molting is a natural period during which quails stop laying.

It occurs when:

• temperatures drop

• light decreases

• birds experience stress

• nutrition is poor

During molt, quails may not lay for 4 to 6 weeks.

To reduce its impact:

• maintain temperature above 15 °C

• keep adequate light

• provide richer feed or supplements

• avoid sudden changes

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  Chapter 18 – Slaughtering

  For meat production:

  Ideal slaughter age:

• 6–7 weeks for light strains

• 8–10 weeks for heavier strains

Before slaughter:

• Fast birds for 12 hours, but keep water available

• Work cleanly and hygienically

• Chill the meat quickly afterward

Quail meat is delicate and highly appreciated.

Chapter 19 – Managing Egg Distribution

When your quails are laying, check and collect eggs daily.
Sort eggs based on your goals: incubation or commercial sale.
Track egg origin (cage, group) to monitor fertility and quality.

Chapter 20 – Selling Quail Products

Your quail farm may offer:

• fertile eggs for breeders

• fresh eggs for consumers or restaurants

• quail meat (if producing meat birds)

Ensure proper packaging, with clear labeling (weight, shelf life, production details).

Chapter 21 – Economic Management

Monitor all costs: feed, cages, energy (incubators), labor, etc.
Calculate your break-even point: how many quails, eggs, or carcasses must be sold?

Consider investments in automation or expansion if profitable.
Include risk management: disease prevention, feed reserves, replacement stock.

Chapter 22 – Sustainability & Animal Welfare

Promote welfare-friendly quail farming by ensuring ventilation, space, clean water, and hygiene.
Consider eco-friendly feed sources and supplements.
Communicate your welfare practices to customers—they add value.

Inspect your quails regularly and intervene promptly to reduce stress and mortality.

Pour la Belle Caille de Blé - Lhotellerie Fernand

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