Raising Quail for Beginners (+ Free Flock & Hatch Calculator)
Fresh eggs from a space the size of a closet. Size your flock, feed and costs in 30 seconds.
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Japanese (Coturnix) quail are the backyard bird for small spaces. They mature in about 6-8 weeks, a hen can lay close to an egg a day at peak, and a dozen birds fit where you couldn't keep three chickens. This guide covers what a beginner needs, and the calculator sizes your flock and costs.
Raising Quail Made Easy covers breeds, incubation, brooding, pens and feeding in one guide.
See Raising Quail Made Easy → RAISING_QUAIL_MADE_EASYFree Quail Flock & Hatch Calculator
Planning assumptions shown as estimates: 5 eggs/hen/week averaged (lower than peak), about 1 oz (28 g) feed per adult per day, 1 sq ft per bird, 17-day incubation. Your results will differ.
Local rules and permits (check first)
Before you buy birds or eggs, check three things. Your city or county zoning code may limit poultry, including quail, or set distances from neighbors. Your state wildlife agency may require a permit for native quail species such as bobwhite, which are treated as game birds in many states; rules for Coturnix vary. HOA covenants can ban birds outright. Get answers in writing where you can.
Why quail
| Coturnix quail | Chicken | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum area (UC ANR) | 1 sq ft per bird | 2 sq ft per bird |
| Incubation | About 17-18 days | 21 days |
| Starts laying | About 6-8 weeks | About 4-6 months |
| Egg size | 10-12 g | 50-60 g |
Quail are quieter than chickens (males crow, but softly) and fit small yards. The trade-off: small eggs (about 4-5 quail eggs equal one chicken egg by weight) and shorter productive lives. If you have room for hens, compare with our chicken coop guide.
Housing and space
Use 1/2-inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, on every side including the floor if predators can dig. Quail flush straight up when startled, so keep the ceiling low or use soft netting. Good ventilation stops ammonia building up from droppings; clean bedding or droppings trays often.
Feeding
Quail need a high-protein feed; game bird or turkey starter is commonly used because chicken layer feed is lower in protein. Adults eat roughly 25-35 g (about 1 oz) a day. Provide fresh water at all times; chicks can drown in deep waterers, so put marbles or pebbles in shallow dishes for the first weeks. Follow the feed bag's label for the life stage.
Eggs and light
Hens need about 14-16 hours of light a day to lay steadily, so laying slows in winter unless you add light. Collect eggs daily. Production is highest in the first year and falls after that.
Hatching and brooding
Chicks are tiny and need a warm brooder: start around 95°F in week one and lower it about 5°F a week until they are feathered. Use non-slip paper or cloth for the first days and very shallow water.
Health and safety
- CDC: backyard poultry can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy. Wash hands with soap and water after touching birds, eggs, feeders or bedding. Keep birds out of the house and kitchen. Children under 5 should not handle birds.
- Cook eggs until yolks and whites are firm; don't eat raw eggs. Collect daily and discard cracked eggs.
- Bird flu (HPAI): use dedicated shoes and clothes for the pen, keep wild birds away from feed and water, and quarantine new birds. Report sick or dying birds to your State veterinarian or USDA at 1-866-536-7593 (USDA APHIS).
- Buy eggs or chicks from NPIP-participating sources where possible.
- Keep quail and chickens in separate housing.
Our Quail Keeper's Log is a digital download: printable hatch countdowns, lay and feed logs and a cost tracker. Nothing is shipped.
See the Quail Keeper's Log on EtsyFAQ
How much space do quail need?
University of California ANR lists a minimum of about 1 square foot per quail. Texas A&M research guidance says adults can live in as little as 20 square inches each in cages, but more space reduces odor and stress.
How many eggs do Coturnix quail lay?
Japanese (Coturnix) quail begin laying at about 6-8 weeks and can lay close to one egg a day at peak with 14-16 hours of light, declining after the first year.
How long do quail eggs take to hatch?
About 17-18 days for Coturnix quail. Stop turning eggs about 3 days before the expected hatch.
Do I need a permit to keep quail?
It depends on your state and town. Some states regulate native quail such as bobwhite as game birds and require a permit to keep or breed them, and many towns have rules on keeping poultry. Check your state wildlife agency, your local zoning office and any HOA rules before you buy.
Can quail carry Salmonella or bird flu?
Yes. CDC warns that backyard poultry can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy, so wash hands after touching birds, eggs or anything in their area. Quail can also catch avian influenza; USDA APHIS asks owners to report sick or dying birds to their State veterinarian or USDA at 1-866-536-7593.
Can quail live with chickens?
It is generally not recommended: chickens can bully quail and the species can share diseases. Keep them in separate housing.
Disclaimer
General information only, not veterinary or legal advice. Calculator figures are planning estimates; actual laying, feed use and costs vary. Check your state and local rules before keeping quail, follow CDC and USDA guidance, and contact a veterinarian for sick birds. We may earn a commission from links on this page.