Quail are small game birds that can make a fun and rewarding backyard pet. With proper care and housing, raising quail can be an enjoyable experience. Here is what you need to know about keeping quail on your property.
Are quail legal to own?
In most areas of the United States, it is legal to keep quail as pets. However, some municipalities may have restrictions, so check your local ordinances first. Most states require permits to propagate quail or release them into the wild. But just keeping a small number of quail as pets typically does not require special licensing.
What kind of habitat do quail need?
Quail thrive in habitats that provide a mixture of dense brush for hiding, open areas for feeding, and sandy areas for dust baths. The minimum recommended space is 1 square foot per bird inside a coop, and at least 5 square feet per bird in an outdoor enclosure. The coop should include perches and nesting boxes. Access to an outdoor run is ideal to allow the quail room to move around.
What should I feed backyard quail?
Quail enjoy a varied diet consisting of:
- Commercial game bird feed
- Seeds and grains like millet, wheat, cracked corn
- Greens like kale, spinach, lettuce
- Berries and fruits
- Insects like mealworms
Provide feed in shallow trays that minimize waste. Supply calcium-rich grit to aid digestion. Fresh water should always be available.
Ideal quail species for beginners
The best quail species for first-time owners include:
- Coturnix quail – These small birds are the most common pet quail. They are quiet, docile, and easy to tame.
- Button quail – Slightly larger than coturnix, they are also calm and make good pets.
- Bobwhite quail – This pretty species is more active but can be kept in backyard coops.
- Japanese quail – Popular for eggs and meat, they adapt well to captivity.
Avoid wild-caught quail, which do not domesticate easily. Purchase captive-bred quail from a reputable breeder.
Housing backyard quail
Quail coops should protect the birds from predators and weather while providing adequate ventilation. A simple coop can be constructed from wood and chicken wire or purchased pre-assembled. Essential components include:
- Predator-proof enclosure and roof
- Wire flooring to keep ground pests out
- Nesting boxes for egg-laying
- Perches for roosting
- Food and water access
- Ventilation holes or windows
- Access to outdoor run
Clean the coop regularly to prevent disease. Add bedding like pine shavings to nest boxes and the floor. Locate the coop in a partially shaded area.
Permits and regulations for quail
Most urban and suburban areas do not restrict keeping small numbers of quail as pets. However, regulations vary, so check with your city or county before getting quail. Typical permit requirements may include:
- Limit on number of quail
- Coop setback from property lines
- No roosters due to noise concerns
- Humane care and housing rules
- Restrictions on breeding or selling quail
Failure to comply may lead to warnings, fines or confiscation of birds. Be sure to follow all local laws when raising backyard quail.
Caring for baby quail
Female quail begin laying eggs at about 6-8 weeks old. If you want to hatch the eggs and raise chicks, extra care is required:
- Incubate eggs in a temperature-controlled incubator
- Maintain proper humidity in the incubator
- Candle the eggs periodically to check embryo growth
- Provide a brooder enclosure with heat lamp after hatching
- Feed chicks a special high-protein starter feed
- Protect chicks from being trampled by adults
Quail chicks double in size every week. Keep them safe and well-fed until their rapid growth slows around 6-8 weeks old.
Quail egg incubation and hatching
Follow these steps for best results hatching quail eggs:
- Set incubator temperature between 99-102°F
- Maintain 60% humidity in incubator
- Turn eggs at least 3 times daily for the first 14 days
- Candle eggs on days 7 and 14 to check embryo growth
- Stop turning eggs on day 15 and maintain humidity
- Hatching typically occurs on day 16-18
- Remove chicks from incubator after they fully dry off
- Provide supplementary heat source in brooder after hatching
Proper incubation conditions are critical. The optimum temperature for coturnix quail eggs is 100.5°F. Hatch rates decline significantly above or below this point.
Common health problems for backyard quail
Quail are fairly hardy birds but can be susceptible to certain health issues. Monitor your flock closely for any signs of illness or distress. Common quail diseases and how to treat them include:
Disease | Symptoms | Treatment |
---|---|---|
Coccidiosis | Diarrhea, weakness, poor growth | Anticoccidial medication |
Parasites | Weight loss, breathing issues | Deworming medication |
Infectious Bronchitis | Sneezing, coughing, discharge | Antibiotics, Increase ventilation |
Marek’s Disease | Paralysis, enlarged organs | No treatment – vaccinate young birds |
Prompt veterinary care can save the life of a sick quail. Isolate any birds showing signs of contagious disease. Focus on maintaining proper nutrition, hygiene and ventilation.
Predator protection for quail
When housed outdoors, backyard quail are vulnerable to predators like coyotes, foxes, raccoons, snakes, hawks, and neighborhood cats and dogs. Protect your flock by:
- Building a sturdy wood and wire enclosure
- Using 1/2 inch hardware cloth on any exposed areas
- Burying fencing 6-12 inches underground
- Installing electric poultry net fencing if needed
- Housing quail in predator-proof coop at night
- Avoiding bright exterior coop lights that can attract predators
- Trimming vegetation around enclosure
- Removing extra feed at night
Be vigilant about repairing any holes, gaps or weaknesses in the coop right away. A determined predator can decimate an unprotected flock in one night.
Protecting quail from neighborhood dogs and cats
Dogs and cats pose a constant threat to unattended backyard quail. Prevent losses by:
- Locating quail enclosure away from property borders
- Installing overhead wire netting at least 5 feet high
- Burying solid barrier fencing 1-2 feet underground
- Covering the top of outdoor runs with 1/2 inch hardware cloth
- Only allowing supervised outdoor time
- Bringing birds into secure coop before dark
With persistence, cats and dogs may dig under or tear openings in enclosures. Check frequently for any breaches and make repairs immediately.
Defending quail from birds of prey
Hawks, owls, eagles and other raptors can make quick work of unprotected backyard quail. Use these techniques to outsmart birds of prey:
- Place the enclosure beneath tree cover or a visual barrier
- Use overhead wire netting at least 5 feet above ground
- Provide dense vegetation or visual barriers inside runs
- Hang reflective ribbons or old CDs to scare predators
- Only allow supervised time in outdoor runs
- Keep birds in secure coop during daytime raptor hunting
A determined hawk or owl will eventually find any unprotected birds. Vigilance and coop security are essential to prevent aerial attacks.
Enrichment ideas for pet quail
In addition to a stimulating habitat, provide enrichment items to keep captive quail healthy and engaged. Recommended enrichment activities include:
- Scatter feeding to encourage foraging
- Offering chopped greens and sprouted seeds
- Hanging leafy greens inside the run
- Placing large rocks or logs in the enclosure
- Hiding food under foliage or pine cones
- Letting birds take supervised dust baths
- Giving birds bones, shells or grit to peck at
- Providing straw bales or tunnels to explore
- Changing coop layout periodically
A stimulating, varied habitat will help prevent boredom and stress. Allow as much room for exercise and enrichment as possible.
Tips for taming backyard quail
With regular gentle handling, quail can become quite tame and comfortable around their owners. Here are some tips for taming quail:
- Begin handling young chicks often to get them used to human contact
- Make slow movements and avoid grabbing birds suddenly
- Offer treats like mealworms or greens by hand to encourage trust
- Sit quietly in the enclosure to allow curious birds to approach
- Pet or stroke the quail’s neck and body gently once accustomed to handling
- Limit handling to 5-10 minutes at a time to avoid stress
- Be patient – it can takes weeks or months for quail to tame down
With regular gentle interaction from a young age, many quail will readily perch on their owner’s finger or eat treats from their hand.
Important tips for handling backyard quail
Proper technique is important when handling quail to keep the experience low-stress:
- Approach slowly and avoid sudden movements
- Gently scoop up bird with both hands around the body
- Provide secure support without excessive pressure
- Keep wings folded comfortably at bird’s sides
- Avoid restraining legs or head unless necessary
- Limit handling time to prevent struggling
- Support feet/breast if inverted for inspection
- Return to enclosure slowly and smoothly
With practice most backyard quail will grow accustomed to regular, gentle handling by their caretakers. Always prioritize the bird’s safety and wellbeing when picking up pet quail.
Conclusion
From proper housing and feeding to health management and taming, raising small numbers of quail can be an enjoyable and rewarding backyard hobby. With careful preparation and diligent care, these charming little game birds make delightful pets. Be sure to check local laws and secure the necessary permits before bringing home your first quail. Provide them a safe, enriching environment and you’ll soon have happy, healthy quail thriving close to home.