POULTRY
Keeping quail: An alternative to chickens
G
auteng is home to
two indigenous
quails. The Common
quail (Coturnix coturnix)
occurs in grassy habitats,
including in cultivated fields,
so many smallholders will
have them on their lands. The
Harlequin quail (Coturnix
delegorguei) is also found in
grasslands, open savannahs
and fields.
However there is a growing
market for quail products, in
the form of whole dressed
birds and quail eggs, especially among upmarket
restaurants and growers
keeping quails commercially
for the purpose of profitable
eggs and meat production
tend to use domesticated
Japanese quail or Jumbo
quail, firstly because one
cannot keep indigenous birds
without a permit and
secondly because Japanese
quails are favoured for
commercial quail production
because they are good egg
producers and have more
meat.
Why should smallholders
consider farming quail as a
means of adding to their
income?
K Quails are a smaller sized
bird, so the feeding costs are
comparatively lower than
chickens or other poultry;
K Quails are hardy and
prone to fewer disease;
K Quails grow very fast and
gain maturity faster than any
other poultry;
K They start laying eggs
within six to seven weeks of
age, thus providing a quick
return on investment;
K It takes 16 to 18 days to
hatch their eggs.
K Meat and eggs of quail are
delicious and nutritious. So
quail are a great source of
food and nutrition.
K Quail farming needs small
capital, and labour cost is very
low.
K Quail meat contains less
fat. So, it is suitable for high
blood pressure patients.
K The eggs are low in
cholesterol and can be
cooked in the same way as
chicken eggs;
K Quails lay 250 - 300 eggs
place that is required for one
in their first year, which can
chicken – this number would
2
either be sold or hatched.
require 0,9m ;
This means consistent
Continued on page 22
profits almost all year
round.
K Quail eggs also provide
an excellent source of
feed for snake and reptile
breeders and pet shops.
K Their food to meat or
eggs converting efficiency
is satisfactory;
K You can raise six to
Adult male and female Japanese Quail
seven quails in the same
Quail chicks
21
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