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Posted:  24 September 2007

Quail Raising

1.  Start with a pair that is 30-35 days old, with smooth feathers, and without streaks of white or black.

2.  The pair must be of same stock.  A Japanese quail weighs 100 grams at age 30-35 days, and 120 grams at 60 days.  The older, the heavier.

3.  The pair must come from good stock and good layers -- 65% is average for 30 days.

4.  On the first five days, the brooders should be kept at 35°C  temperature.  Brooder is from 1-15 days old and at 30°C on the 10th day when the feathers and wings begin to grow.

5.  Keep a lighted bulb to control the heat in the cage.  Shield the bulb with paper.

6.  After 10 days, remove the paper; cover the feeder with one-fourth mesh wire so as to keep the feed from being scratched out by the chicks.  If the heat, food and water are adequate, mortality will be only be about 5%.

7.  After 15 days, the birds may be transferred to their own coop. Transfer only the healthy ones and of the same sizes; separate the small ones.

8.  Do not expose the birds to light more than 12 hours as they grow.

9.  On the 35th day, males will develop dark brown feathers on the chest.  Transfer them to the egg layers.
If the number of females equal that of males, 40 percent of them will lay eggs.

10. Put males with the egg layers only for hatching  -- one male for every 6 females if the quail is Japanese. -- one male for every 3 females if the quail is American.

Source: Santinig, Sept. 6, 1991 / ncc.gov.ph

    According to researchers from the Tarlac College of Agriculture, it was observed that the quail lays more eggs if the feed will be supplemented with 5% copra meal, not more.

Source: PCARRD Farmnews   Mar 15, 1983 / ncc.gov.ph