How to Raise Quail Profitably? Practical Methods Shared

Quail is a poultry bird with strong food value, also known as quail bird, Wan quail, running quail, etc. It is a relatively small bird of the genus Coturnix in the family Phasianidae. It can provide humans with rich protein food (quail meat and quail eggs), and is also processed by people into various foods for sale on the market. Let's take a look below at how to raise quail profitably!

Raising Advantages

1. Low input: Quail farming does not require a large area of land. Even large-scale quail farms occupy much less land and housing than other poultry, and do not require heavy physical labor. In addition, epidemic prevention expenses are also very low.

2. High output: Quail matures in 40 to 50 days. Meat-type quail can reach 220 grams at 42 days of age, consuming only 700 grams of feed. Egg-type quail lays about 270 eggs per year, with a total weight of 3000 grams.

3. Fast turnover: The quail raising cycle is short, and capital investment is also low. The working capital per bird does not exceed 1.6 yuan. Compared with other poultry, capital turnover is much faster.

4. Low risk: Because quail farming has the characteristics of low input, high output, and fast capital turnover, it is not prone to economic losses during raising. Overall, there is no need to bear too much risk.

Breed Selection

1. White-feathered quail: The white-feathered quail is slightly larger than the Korean quail. Adult male quail weighs 145 grams, female quail weighs 170 grams, age at first laying is 45 days, average annual laying rate is 80 to 85%, annual egg production is 265 to 300 eggs, and egg weight is 11.5 to 13.5 grams.

2. Korean quail: Adult male Korean quail weighs 125 to 130 grams, female quail 140 to 150 grams. Under restricted feeding conditions, they start laying at 40 to 50 days of age, average annual laying rate is above 75%, annual egg production is 260 to 280 eggs, and egg weight is 10.5 to 12.0 grams.

3. Japanese quail: Adult male Japanese quail weighs 100 to 110 grams, female quail 130 to 140 grams. Eggs can be seen as early as 35 days of age. At 300 days of age, the average laying rate of female quail can still reach above 85%. Annual egg production is 280 to 300 eggs, with an average egg weight of 10 grams.

Site Selection

1. Site: Large-scale quail farming requires convenient transportation, away from residential areas, other livestock and poultry farms, and pollution sources. Roads inside and outside the farm should be flat to facilitate the transport of production and living materials.

2. Water and electricity: The water source must be sufficient, preferably groundwater, with clean water quality that meets drinking water hygiene requirements. Power supply must be guaranteed. In areas with frequent power outages, a generator should be provided.

3. Quail house: Adapt to local conditions. Idle houses can be used, or houses can be specially built. The house is required to be sturdy and clean, with good ventilation, lighting, and insulation performance.

Breeding and Hatching

1. Egg selection: Quail breeding eggs should be selected as oval eggs of suitable size and normal shape. Breeding eggs of normal shape have a higher hatching rate, and the hatched chicks are robust, lively, and highly uniform, which facilitates feeding management and results in a high survival rate. A weight of 10 to 12 grams is appropriate.

2. Setting eggs: Place quail breeding eggs in the egg tray with the large end up and the small end down. To allow the eggs to quickly reach the temperature inside the incubator after setting, preheat the breeding eggs at 25 to 30 degrees C for 24 hours before incubation. After setting the eggs, disinfect the breeding eggs.

3. Environment: Control the temperature inside the incubator between 38 and 39 degrees C, and keep relative humidity at 55 to 65%. Use a fan inside the incubator for ventilation to supply the oxygen needed for embryo development, expel nitrogen dioxide and heat, and make the incubator temperature uniform.

4. Turning eggs: The purpose of turning eggs is to allow the breeding eggs to be heated evenly, prevent the embryo from sticking to the eggshell, promote embryo activity, and maintain normal fetal position. From the first to the 14th day after incubation, turn the eggs every day, once every 2 to 3 hours, with a turning angle of 45 degrees.

5. Hatching out: On the 15th to 16th day of incubation, that is, 1 to 2 days before hatching, place the eggs from the egg tray into the hatching tray to prepare for hatching. At the same time, lower the temperature to 37 to 37.5 degrees C. Under normal circumstances, pecking of the shell generally begins on the 16th day, a large number hatch on the 17th day, and hatching is completed on the 18th day.