How much does a quail weigh on average? How much weight can a quail gain? How much does an adult quail weigh?
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The earlier you start feeding, the better the quail will develop. If the baby already eats a tasty grain in the first hours, the feeding reflex will be fixed in his brain. Having grown a little stronger and dried out, they will try to stand on their paws and immediately peck something.
Lack of food after hatching leads to a lack of nutrients, and therefore to disease and death. Therefore, it is better to give food to babies as soon as they leave the incubator.
How to feed only babies that have just been born?
Compound feed PK-5 for chickens, quail at the age of up to 4 weeks.
Only with special food. In no case should you immediately feed quails with cottage cheese or herbs. They are not yet ready for such food and simply will not digest it. All this will end with the fact that newborn babies will die from stomach diseases.
On the first day, the compound feed should be of the highest quality. In addition to freshness and normal composition, it should be specially designed for feeding on the first day. Therefore, ask the manufacturer of your choice which feed from the entire range meets your exact requirements.
The packaging does not have to say “for quail”. Most often, the packages you need are written “START”. This means that the feed is intended for broilers and quails in the first days after the hatchery.
For example, you can purchase "Compound feed PK-5" Start "" - the cost for 1 bag (40 kg) ~ 1200-1300 rubles. Compound feed zero (PC-0) is also suitable.
The amount of protein in the feed should be at least 22%. The feed is suitable for both broilers and quails, because both require a lot of protein for vigorous growth.
Additional tips:
Feeding in the first week after incubation
Weekly quails
When the quails have reached the age of one week, it is already possible to replace the compound feed with cottage cheese, herbs and millet. 10 grams of feed per day is the norm for one chick during this period.
At this age, usually add wet mash with cereals or potatoes. Mushrooms with red carrots will be especially useful. In the first week, it is better not to use special mineral supplements.
It will also be useful to put any container and pour sand there. This will serve as a toy for the quail and as a means of cleansing the esophagus. They peck at some grains of sand that help grind food.
As additional feed, you can use various dairy products, porridge leftovers. The peculiarity of the week of age is that now you need to feed the quails in large portions, but less often than before.
The weight rate will be quail at different stages of growth
You can check how correctly you have made the diet by looking at the weight of the quail at different stages of development. They grow very quickly, so it won't be difficult to keep track of your weight. The main thing is to do it regularly in order to notice the problem in time, if any.
Did you know that there are more than four dozen quail species in the world? Breeders have specially bred egg and meat quail breeds, and if you intend to breed them, you will have a wide choice. We will give detailed description the most popular options, we will tell you how the varieties of quails differ from each other.
For those who want to start breeding this bird, there is a large selection of breeds.
After the domestication of quail by man, many new breeds with increased body weight and egg production appeared in the world. In the wild, the common quail does not shock at all with its "productivity" indicators, but individuals raised at home are able to please the most discerning poultry breeder.
They are not as diverse as the egg-laying breeds - nature has endowed these birds with large size torso. Another factor that diminishes the interest of breeders in meat breeds is special diets, which must be supported in order to get good results.
Nevertheless, the costs invested in breeding meat quails pay off - quail meat is appreciated in the market. It is low in calories and virtually no cholesterol.
- get medical treatment;
- strengthen immunity;
- reduce weight.
This explains why meat quails are so popular among breeders, despite the small size of the quail family and the difficulties with feeding. Novice poultry farmers need to keep this in mind.
Some breeders are raising quail just for the sake of their delicious dietary meat.
Let's move on to the analysis of specific breeds.
Pharaoh
It was not in vain that we started with this breed - today it is one of the most popular. There is no need to expect a large number of eggs from laying hens, one hen will lay no more than 200 pieces per year, but the size of the pharaohs' torso inspires respect:
- about 270 g in adult males;
- more than 300 g in layers.
If these values seem small to you, then just compare: wild quail weighs from 80 to 140 g. It can be seen that the breeders did a good job, the Pharaoh breed came out wonderfully well.
They use it in Russia and other countries. It is worth mentioning that this species of quail inherited the color of the feathers of their wild counterparts, and as a result, the carcasses do not look very presentable.
Texas white
Sometimes the breed is also called the white Texas giant or the American albino broiler. There is also a more exotic name - white (sometimes - snow) pharaoh. The species of the breed is really beautiful - you can admire the snow-white plumage for a long time.
The breed was bred, as you might guess from the name, in the US state of Texas. To obtain it, several breeds had to be crossed at once, among them there was an English species - it was from him that the breed received the snow-white color of the feathers. However, there are also small dark spots, and the heads of some birds are often yellowish.
Most poultry farmers consider this species to be the best for breeding poultry for meat. Judge for yourself, the Texas white quail breed is famous for the following indicators:
- males can be fattened up to 500 g, although the average for the livestock, this figure is 370 - 450 g;
- laying hens - up to 400 g and even more.
This breed is great for novice breeders. Birds are easy to keep, they do not impose high demands on conditions. They gain weight quickly, but you will have to spend money on feed if you want a stable weight gain.
Other names for this breed are the white Texas giant, the American albino broiler, or the white (sometimes snowy) pharaoh.
You can add to the description of the breed that:
- the egg in birds of the Texas breed is large, somewhat oblong in shape. The optimum temperature in the sparrowhawk is 22 degrees, if it is warmer, the females rush worse;
- meat breast is prized as a delicacy;
- males are not particularly active with females, for one "boy" there are usually two "girls". Consider this if you are considering breeding.
Let's summarize. If you started breeding quail for meat, this is the best of different breeds.
On a note. Until the birds of this breed begin to lay eggs, it is impossible to understand where the males are and where the females are.
Advice. When buying, it is better to choose individuals with fewer dark spots. In this case, the carcass with snow-white plumage has an attractive appearance, and therefore it sells better.
Moscow black breed
It is unlikely that representatives of the species can be considered a full-fledged breed. Experts are inclined to conclude that this is just a cross between some breeds with others - presumably a mixture of black and white English and Hungarian pharaohs, and he took a little from each type of quail.
It turned out well, in any case, the breeders who dared to acquire the eggs of the Moscow black breed were satisfied.
A brief description of:
- Moscow black broiler - meat poultry;
- when fattening, individuals reach: females from 350 to 500 g of live weight, males: from 300 to 400 g;
- egg weight from 12 to 15 g;
- “Families” can be made up at the rate of one male for three girls;
- fertilization of eggs - 95%;
- egg production - 75%.
Representatives of this species are the largest individuals in the quail family. In appearance, they resemble tuxedo quail breed, the color of the feathers is beautiful, and therefore the look of the carcass is quite marketable.
Egg varieties
Most often, quails are bred for the sake of delicious and healing quail eggs, for which egg breeds are more suitable.
Quail breeding for the purpose of selling eggs is more common than meat production. Quail eggs not only have excellent taste, they are also credited with healing properties... For example, unlike chicken eggs, quail eggs can be safely consumed raw. This is explained by the fact that during incubation, the laying hen maintains a temperature of 42 degrees in the nest. And the main infectious bacteria die already at 40.
Another significant difference from domestic chickens is the earlier laying of eggs. Chickens begin to lay in the ninth month, and the quail bird - on the 35th - 40th day, by which time its weight reaches 100 g. This explains such a high popularity of egg quails among farmers.
Consider the breeds common in Russia.
Japanese breed
If it is egg production that is most important for you, feel free to choose this breed and you will not lose. Japanese quail (aka dumb quail) is the most popular variety, which is not surprising, because it was specially bred with the expectation of increased egg production. The breed received its name from the country where it originated - these birds were brought to us from Japan. Wild Japanese quails are still found not only in Japan, but also in China, the Trans-Baikal Territory and Primorye.
The features of the breed are as follows:
- the body is elongated;
- short tail and wings;
- feathers on the chest are brown in males, gray in females;
- the weight gained is small: in males up to 130 g, in layers - 135 g.
The female quail begins to lay eggs at 40 - 55 days of life. Its "productivity" per year is about 300 pieces, weighing up to 11 g. True, to achieve such a result, something had to be sacrificed: having begun to lay eggs intensively, laying quails, alas, lost their hatching instinct. To solve the problem, breeders have to use incubators.
The breed is unpretentious, kept in the most common conditions. Japanese quails rarely get sick, their immunity is high. In short, if you are wondering what breed of quail is better to choose today for breeding eggs, then the "Japanese" are the best solution.
Japanese, also known as a dumb quail, was specially bred with the expectation of increased egg production.
Marble quail
This species is a kind of mutation derived from the Japanese species. There was no crossbreeding habitual to breeders, males of the Japanese breed were simply irradiated with x-rays of the testes. As a result, a new marble subspecies was obtained, with plumage similar to the color structure of marble.
Representatives of this quail family have light gray feathers. Being derived from the "Japanese", marble quails are in many ways similar to them, in any case, in terms of egg production and live weight, the characteristics coincide. But thanks to the unusual coloring of the feathers, the presentation of this species is much better.
There were attempts to cross a marble quail with a female English black breed. As a result, the offspring acquired a pronounced increase in live weight.
Estonian breed
The appearance of this bird, obtained by breeders in Estonia, is nondescript, which does not prevent it from enjoying success with domestic and foreign farmers. The indicators for the breed are as follows:
- the female makes the first clutch on the 40th - 50th day;
- per year, Estonian quails lay from 240 to 270 eggs (with a total weight of three kilos!).
To obtain this breed, several types of quail were crossed: English white, Japanese and pharaoh. It was assumed that the newcomer will inherit from his "parents":
- long periods of egg production;
- large carcass sizes;
- unpretentious care;
- disease resistance;
- long life.
The results turned out to be good, the Estonian breed can be successfully attributed to both the egg and meat-egg direction, although the first property prevails. Birds of this species are also recommended for breeding - useful for those who would like to have their own herd of queens.
The Estonian breed belongs to both egg and meat-and-egg directions, one female brings up to 270 eggs per year.
The advantages of the Estonian quail breed:
- fertilization of eggs - within 90%;
- the incubation period is 17 days, and the hatchability of chickens in the incubator is 80%. This makes the breed in demand in industrial production;
- the survival rate of young animals - 95% or more;
- by the month, the birds already weigh 170 g, and the weight of an adult carcass is within 200.
Quails of other egg-bearing breeds cannot boast of such indicators.
In appearance, the representatives of the breed also differ from their counterparts.
- Their characteristic feature is considered to be a low hump, which is formed when the bird lifts the front part of the back.
- The color of the feathers is ocher-brown with dark brown stripes.
Since the birds of this breed are calm and not capricious, it is better to breed them for novice or amateur poultry breeders.
Hungarian breed
This species, as the name implies, was bred in Hungary. The breed belongs to the egg-laying types, although the maximum carcass weight reaches 350 g (in this regard, they can compete with the pharaohs).
The characteristics of the breed are as follows.
- The color of the feathers in individuals of the Hungarian breed is white.
- Quails begin to rush at 35 - 40 days. Egg production is 300 eggs per year.
- Individuals are well fed, the average weight of a carcass can be increased to 200 - 210 g.
By the way, unlike the Estonian breed, with visible differences between the male and the female, individuals of the Hungarian breed can be “identified” only after the hens begin to lay eggs.
English black
The English black breed was bred from the Japanese and in all respects is practically not inferior to her.
When breeding this species, individuals of the Japanese breed were taken as a basis, crossed with different representatives family of quail. English black individuals have the following characteristics:
- the body weight of the "Englishman" slightly exceeds the weight of his ancestor: in females - 300 g, in males - 260 g;
- egg production is just a little short - only 290 eggs per year.
English white
The English white quail differs from its counterpart only in the coloring of the feathers. The rest of the characteristics of individuals of both breeds are identical. Some breeders like English black quail, others white - a matter of taste.
The breed is often confused with the Texas breed, which is not surprising, because its representatives were just "involved" in breeding. Although, first of all, the "English" are considered as an egg breed, if the birds are well fed, then the weight of the individuals is brought to half a kilogram.
English quail is more unpretentious than the same "Texans", hens are not so afraid of temperature changes, and they rush well.
Manchu gold breed
Many breeders call this species the golden phoenix. It is especially appreciated for its beauty and high productivity; in Europe, the phoenix has become the most common type of domestic quail.
In terms of egg production, representatives of this egg breed can be considered strong "average". The female brings about 220 eggs per year, although experienced breeders manage to increase the number to 260, for which it is necessary to select correctly balanced feed and competently care for the birds.
The peculiarity of the Manchu people, or golden phoenixes, is their amazing beauty, high productivity and tasty meat.
But quails of this type have several advantages over their Japanese counterparts.
- The eggs of the Manchu gold breed are of a larger mass. The weight of one ranges from 13 to 16 g.
- The birds are very beautiful - the feathers are painted in a pleasant golden hue.
- Chicks quickly gain weight, they are unpretentious in care.
- When breeding, keep in mind that there will be no more than three females per male.
- Although the main characteristic of the Manchu breed is egg production, their meat is also appreciated for its pleasant taste. The cut carcass of the male weighs 300 g, and the females - all 400.
- The color of the plumage of the phoenix quail is lightish, and therefore carcasses are in great demand among buyers than domestic quails with black feathers (their carcasses acquire a bluish tint, and ignorant buyers are wary of such a product).
Special conditions of keeping for representatives of the breed are not required, the most common feeds are also suitable. One individual eats 40 g of feed per day.
Birds rarely get sick, and therefore they will not bring trouble to their owners in the household.
Important. Manchu quail (or golden pheasant) carcasses are not only suitable for cooking nutritious broth, they are also suitable for grilling or smoking.
Meat and egg varieties
Quail breeds, successfully related to both meat and egg-laying species, are peculiar hybrids. Breeders have spent a lot of time and effort trying to bring out something in common, but it cannot be said that the efforts were crowned with serious success. Nevertheless, such breeds exist, are in considerable demand on the market, and therefore it would be useful to analyze their positive and negative sides.
Tuxedo
The breed was named so because of the coloring - white breast and black back with a tail. Outwardly, it really seems that the birds are wearing dark tuxedos.
The tuxedo quail is named so because of its coloring, which resembles a formal suit, and is suitable for breeding for personal purposes.
Breed characteristics:
- egg production: 260 eggs per year;
- the weight of an adult is 200 grams.
It is unlikely that this hybrid is suitable for those who would like to organize a serious business for the production of quail eggs and meat. But for a household, for breeding quails for personal purposes, a tuxedo quail is suitable. For one family, this amount of eggs and healthy meat is quite enough.
"Little Red Riding Hood"
This is how these quails are called in our country by analogy with the German name, from where the breed came to us. In Ukraine they were nicknamed "the golden phoenix", in Italy - "Italians". Selection line, breeders were engaged in it different countries, but each time the Manchurian gold breed was taken as a basis. The breed was bred for many years, they achieved that the offspring inherit the parameters of their parents, which means that we can already consider it as breeding.
Characteristics
- The weight of females is from 360 to 450 g, although the record holders are proper nutrition are gaining 550 g.
- Layers have good egg production. The eggs are even.
- The carcass has a presentation.
The color of the body resembles the Manchu breed, but the head of the males is red, for which the breed was named. The character of the individuals is calm, the look is neat. Fertility of eggs is 95%.
Here is a comparative table, the main quail breeds and their characteristics are indicated.
Comparison of breeds in many ways
Comparative tables of the main quail breeds and their characteristics.
Summary
Whichever breed you choose - Texas quail or tuxedo quail, you will agree that you have a wide choice. The main requirement is that the selected species must correspond to the purpose of breeding: beef breed, breed, egg-laying, or mixed type.
Be sure to pay attention to appearance their wards - the prettier they are, the more desirable such a product will become on the shelves.
Quail breeds for meat production are not very diverse. Therefore, it will not be difficult to determine the type you need. The main representatives are the Pharaoh quail and the Texas white quail.
Meat breeds are often used to breed broiler hybrids. Although in general the birds are not large in size, meat quails have the greatest weight and parameters among other species. The average weight of one individual is about 400 g, but half-kilogram representatives can be found. When breeding poultry for the sake of obtaining meat products, the main point is a special diet for fattening.
Quail meat belongs to the category dietary products... It is low in calories and extremely low in cholesterol, and helps to strengthen the immune system.
Power features
What is important to consider when feeding
Feed entry table for quails depending on their age
When starting to feed meat quails for slaughter, the following conditions must be taken into account:
- For fattening, males and culled females are used when they reach the age of one month. You can also take adults after 8 months with a decrease in egg production.
- After one month of age, females and males are kept separately.
- Birds need a special lighting regime. The first 2.5-3 weeks the birds live with a lack of light (darkened cage), then an alternating regime of light and darkness is organized (hour of light - hour of darkness). The lighting should not be direct, it should be diffused.
- The fattening period lasts approximately 21-28 days. At this time, the birds must be given the opportunity to move freely at least 3 times a day.
Wyandotte will tell you about the characteristics of the chicken breed.
Breeds
When breeding quails for the purpose of obtaining meat products, the Pharaoh or Texas white breed is usually used. Representatives of these species have a good predisposition to gain weight, which allows you to get enough meat after slaughter. Quail meat is prized for its excellent taste, dietary properties and softness. It is believed that meat broth based on it contributes to recovery from prolonged and severe illness. Due to its hypoallergenicity, it is often used in children's menus or to feed people with allergies, since meat contains a special substance that can suppress allergens. In addition, quail meat is famous for its low calorie content and nutritional value.
Pharaoh
Females need more food because the nutrients are also used to form eggs.
At what age to score
The main criterion for meat breeds is the slaughter yield. Its value depends on the age, sex and weight of the bird. The greatest yield can be obtained when quail is slaughtered at the age of 35-42 days.
With an average female weight of 280-300 g, the slaughter yield is 72.8%. With an average male weight of 180-200 g, the slaughter yield will be 72.4%. By the seventh week of life, this percentage begins to decline. You can start slaughtering quails upon reaching the age of one and a half months, starting with large individuals, and after 2 months - all the rest. Further breeding does not make sense as the birds have reached their maximum weight.
Dark colored feathers can reduce the presentation of the carcass.
Texas
Texas quail has a high meat productivity
This breed gets its name from the place of breeding. The representatives of the species received the white color of the plumage from the English white breed . are giants among quails, since males can weigh up to 360 g, and females - 470 g. Birds are quite unpretentious and calm. However, this can be a disadvantage as males become lazy. When breeding, this feature should be taken into account and have one male for 1-2 females. Egg production, like that of quails, begins at the age of 2 months, but egg fertility is low. In a year, a female can produce up to 220 eggs weighing 12-18 g.
Young animals of this breed have low endurance and therefore require special attention.
Weight gain rate
For rapid growth, development and gaining the required weight, birds should be fed a balanced, complete feed. The diet should be high in protein and all essential nutrients. At first, chicks need more food of animal origin than of vegetable one. Since the breed is distinguished by its calmness and love of food, all the energy received is spent on increasing body weight. By about the age of 1.5-2 birds reach their maximum weight. The jump in weight gain occurs between 20 and 40 days of life. The maximum growth for this breed can be achieved with the right approach to the quail diet. At the same time, you can get birds weighing up to 500 g. Quails can be kept even in an apartment, which he will tell you about.
At what age to score
The palatability of broiler meat is formed by 7-8 weeks of age. The live weight of a female Texas broiler is 420-450 g. Experienced breeders can achieve a weight of more than 500 g. The slaughter yield is 50%. With standard poultry sizes, the carcass will weigh within 250 g. When fattening in order to obtain quail meat, it is advisable to slaughter at 4-5 months of age. By this time, broilers will have acquired the necessary weight and tender meat. Due to the light plumage, the carcass will have a good presentation.
Video
In the video, we learn tips on choosing a quail meat breed for home breeding.
conclusions
- Many can be bred not only for obtaining eggs, but also for the sake of meat products.
- Quail meat is low in calories, dietary and medicinal properties, hypoallergenic. Thanks to these characteristics, such meat can be given to children and people with allergies.
- Despite the meat orientation, the birds are capable of producing more than 200 large eggs per year.
- When fattening, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of nutrition and conditions. Only if these conditions are met can the maximum carcass weight be obtained.
- There are few meat-oriented quail breeds, so the choice of the necessary poultry will not be difficult.
In Russia, quail meat was considered an exquisite delicacy, worthy of the royal table. Ancient cookbooks contain many variations of wild quail recipes, hunting which was not only a way to get a delicious and incredibly nutritious product, but also a special kind of entertainment.
Long gone are the days when quail hunting was carried out exclusively on hunting, and the opportunity to taste the tender meat of this inconspicuous bird was determined by belonging to the social class. Nowadays, many are engaged in breeding these birds for sale, and the price of quail meat allows any true gourmet to try it.
What are the benefits and harms of quail meat, and is it really so tasty and rich in useful microelements, as they say about it?
First of all, it should be said that in terms of nutritional and taste qualities, quail meat significantly surpasses not only domestic chicken meat, but also rabbit meat. It is considered dietary, the calorie content of quails is low compared to other types of meat - 230 kcal per 100 grams. Therefore, it can be safely consumed by anyone who adheres to the principles of dietary nutrition or is seriously involved in sports.
The beneficial properties of quail meat, of course, do not end there. Quail meat is a valuable source of protein, the content of which in fillets, for example, reaches almost 22%. Because of this, quail meat is indispensable in the diet of athletes who are intensively gaining muscle mass.
In terms of cholesterol content, quail meat is equal to turkey meat. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for the elderly and people suffering from atherosclerosis.
The presence of a large amount of vitamins in quail meat, especially B vitamins, has a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems of a person. Due to the balanced composition of amino acids and fats, it is recommended for use by all age groups of the population, it is especially useful for children and pregnant women.
The increased content of vitamins D, B 1 and B 2 makes the use of quail meat an excellent prevention of rickets. And vitamin PP has a beneficial effect on blood microcirculation in blood vessels and is the main substance that prevents the development of gout. 
The harm of quail meat is directly related to its useful properties and can manifest itself only when the balance in the diet is not observed. Thus, its low calorie content and low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids make it a weak source of energy. Therefore, for optimal enrichment of the body with all the microelements it needs, it is not worth limiting your meat diet only to dishes from this bird. There may also be an individual intolerance to quail, but this is more an exception than a common occurrence.
Features of breeding quail for meat
Growing quail in our latitudes is gaining more and more popularity. This is not at all surprising, because the quail is a rather unpretentious bird in terms of keeping conditions and feed, and it is not difficult to take care of it.
A beginner, before acquiring a quail farm, should decide on the purpose of growing this bird.
There are several dozen varieties of meat, meat and egg, egg and decorative quails.
It should be noted that this is a fairly profitable and promising type of activity. Indeed, the largest quail of meat breeds can reach more than 400 g in weight, and in terms of growth rates, this bird is the record holder among all poultry. So for 2 months of life, a quail carcass increases in weight more than 20 times and almost reaches the weight of an adult. In order to start keeping quails for meat, it is better to choose meat breeds of these birds - Pharaoh, Texas, English.
For the purpose of growing meat quails for meat, they settle in cages in a well-ventilated darkened room. It should be noted that quails are afraid of drafts and bright lighting, but at the same time, they just need fresh air. The room temperature should not drop below 16 degrees, the optimal indicator is 18-20 degrees. For the first three weeks of life, young animals should be provided with round-the-clock lighting. Therefore, it is necessary to hang lamps above the cages, which will also become an additional source of heat for the chicks. Cages for chicks and for adults differ in size; it is more convenient for young animals to also use cylindrical cages. 
Adult birds should be placed in cages so that the area per adult is approximately 100-120 square meters. cm. The height of the cage should not exceed 20-25 cm, otherwise the birds will start flying and may get hurt. To save space, it is optimal to arrange the cages in several tiers. It is better to install the lower tier at a height of 85-100 cm from the floor. This not only protects the birds from drafts, but also makes it easier to care for them. At one month old, males should be separated and placed separately from females.
Diet and drinking regimen
If we talk about nutrition, then the diet for fattening quails for meat is no different from the diet of egg quail breeds. Is that the breeds kept for meat, feed in the feeders should be constantly present. This contributes to their early growth. For egg breeds, feed can be added as the feeders are emptied, this does not affect productivity in any way.
Young animals (individuals up to 20-30 days old) are best fed with compound feed PK-5; for adult birds, you can use both ready-made compound feed PK-1 and PK-2, and feed prepared independently. The main component of the food for these birds is chopped wheat or corn. Fish meal, shell, sunflower or soybean meal and chalk are used as additional ingredients.
When breeding quails, one should not forget about their drinking regime, since these birds drink a lot. Drinking bowls should always contain sufficient clean and fresh water. In order to prevent its attenuation and with a large livestock, it is advisable to build flow-through drinking bowls. For young individuals, it is more convenient and safer to use vacuum drinkers. They look like jars or water bottles turned over into a shallow dish. The height of the vessel should be no more than 1-1.5 cm, this will not allow the chicks to choke.
Those who are engaged in breeding quails for the first time are most interested in the question: at what age are quails slaughtered for meat, and what is the average weight of a carcass?
Quails reach their physiological maturity at the age of 2 months. Therefore, selection for slaughter should be made starting from the age of a month and a half of the bird. First, the largest individuals should be taken and by two months all birds from one batch should be slaughtered. Longer feeding of quails for meat will be pointless and will only lead to overconsumption of feed.
It should also be remembered that the weight of a quail carcass ready for slaughter depends on its breed. So, adult females of the Pharaoh breed reach a weight of 190-310 g, males - 160-270 g. Females of the Texas breed grow up to 420-470 g, males - up to 300-360 g. Therefore, for successful breeding of a quail, you should familiarize yourself in detail with the physical characteristics and the peculiarities of growing her breed.
Unlike meat, meat and egg quail breeds reach an average body weight of 170 (males) to 200 g (females). The indicator of the number of eggs per year varies from 200 to 280 pieces. Meat and egg direction is represented by the following breeds: tuxedo, pharaoh, NPO "Complex". The quail of the Pharaoh breed can be ranked as both the meat and meat-egg direction, due to the average weight and the number of eggs per year.
What kind of bird is more profitable to grow?
Novice poultry farmers may be puzzled by the question: which is more profitable - chickens or quails, and how is the breeding of these bird species different? Recently, more and more information has appeared that growing quails is more profitable, since the price of quail meat per kg is much higher. Could this business be really profitable, and how much does quail meat cost on the market?
It should be said right away that the wholesale and retail price of quails may differ slightly. Also, the price of quails may depend on the region - in areas where there are many breeders and, accordingly, there is competition between them for the sales market, it will be slightly lower. 
If we compare a chicken and a quail, then it should be noted that the carcass of a quail is much less in weight than a chicken carcass. Chickens of the egg breed weigh on average 1.5-1.8 kg, and female quails of the egg breed - 130-140 g. The retail price of a chicken on the market ranges from 200-220 rubles. per kg, and the cost of a quail carcass depends on its weight. So, the price of a quail carcass of an average weight indicator (250 g) is about 150 rubles. a piece. ‘
Accordingly, the price of quail per kg will be several times higher than the price of chicken meat.
But chicken meat is significantly inferior to quail meat in all respects. Quail meat contains significantly less cholesterol than chicken, and in terms of protein it is much ahead of it. By the content of basic vitamins and mineral components quail eggs are also significantly superior to chicken. 
Talking about characteristic features of these bird species, the conditions of keeping should not be ignored. So, one adult quail will need 10 times less area than 1 chicken. The early maturity of the quail also gives it a great advantage.
Thus, quail breeding can be an excellent alternative to raising chickens and will not only provide an opportunity to provide your family with healthy eggs and delicious meat, but also become a small business of your own with minimal financial investment.
Many farmers believe that keeping quail is beneficial in any economic situation, even with fluctuating purchasing power. There will always be a consumer for this product. Domesticated birds produce not only eggs but also meat. Therefore, many novice farmers are interested in: how much does a quail weigh and how to properly grow it for slaughter?
There are several types of quail, the weight of the bird depends on the species. It should be noted that in some lines of birds, both sexes weigh almost the same, in others the females are larger.
Table # 1. A lot of quails.
| Quail species (breed) | Weight (g) | Egg weight (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | 80–145 | 8–14 |
| Japanese (mute) | Male - 115-120, female - 138-150 | 9–11 |
| Pharaoh | Male - 160-265, Female - 160-310 | 12–18 |
| Chinese | 100–130 | |
| English | Male 140-160 Female 160-180 | 10–11 |
| Manchu golden (Phoenix) | Male - 220-220 Female - 250-300 | 16 |
| Estonian | 170–190 | 10 |
| Pharaoh Texas | 400–450 | 18 |
| Marble | Male - 150-170 Female 180-200 | 10 |
| Tuxedo | 150–160 | 10–11 |
Like chickens, quails have a classification by food quality:
- meat;
- meat and egg;
- egg;
- decorative.
Meat breeds include English, Manchu, Japanese (broiler direction) quails, pharaohs. The most common in private farmsteads is the Japanese quail. Pharaohs are considered the most productive. The tuxedo variety has an attractive color and is suitable for obtaining meat and eggs in a private courtyard. But it is not profitable to grow it on large farms.
Californian, Chinese painted quail are grown only for aesthetic needs. Their main value is their bright appearance.
Quail house
Any utility room is suitable for quails - for example, a garage, a barn. However, professionals say that a special, unoccupied structure is most suitable for this.
The dimensions of the building are planned according to the number of livestock. It is considered the norm when no more than 70 individuals are accommodated per 1 m2.
The room is protected from drafts. If the poultry house is planned to be operated in autumn and winter, heaters and lamps are installed.
Reference. Sometimes quails are hooked up to chickens. The idea is not always a good one. The neighborhood is fraught with certain problems. Chickens can transmit infections, show aggression towards smaller neighbors, peck on their eggs, etc.
Quail houses are built of bricks, aerated concrete, wood. Requirements for the conditions of detention:
- air temperature 20 ... 22 ° С;
- good ventilation, as the birds have a high body temperature, but no drafts.
If the house is cold, the quality of the feathers deteriorates, and bald patches form. Quails are easily frightened and excited. Therefore, it should be quiet inside the room. It is recommended to place the building away from the road, in a quiet corner of the courtyard.
Quail care
Duration of feeding is 14-28 days. For meat, select:
- individuals of one month old to be discarded;
- layers after use for egg-laying;
- chicks of the first culling - young growth weakened, with various defects;
- healthy, productive individuals if it turns out that the herd has grown too much.
Adults are transferred to fattening at the age of about 9 months, and layers, when their productivity decreases to 50%. The entire herd is divided into females and males, after which they are placed in different cages.
Lighting
One of the main conditions for a good result is the correct light regime. The light intensity should be at the level of 11 lux, or 3 watts per m2 of floor. For this, the windows are painted over or darkened. Incandescent lamps of 40 W or their analogs are used as a light source. The room is darkened so that the bird remains calm and eats better.
Attention! Excessive illumination of the premises leads to pecking, restless behavior, cannibalism in quails.
For the first three weeks, all quails are kept around the clock in low light. For the last seven days, an intermittent mode is used for females:
- weak light - 1 hour;
- darkness - 2 hours.
In males, daylight hours should last up to 8 hours, while during daylight hours the lighting is also dimmed.
Finishing poultry cages
The poultry selected for fattening is placed in cage batteries - for example, as models KBE-1, KBE-2, Victoria, etc. Electric furnaces are previously dismantled from them. One such cage can hold up to 50 individuals.
For fattening, cages are made on their own. The size of the cage for 40 quails is 76x37x18 cm. On the front wall, cells are designed through which the birds can receive food and drink.
Quail cage prices
Quail cage
Step-by-step instructions for making a cage from plastic boxes
This design is suitable for the first time. Assembly time is only 30 minutes.
To make a cage, take three boxes with the same size bottom part, but two low and one high (17 cm). From the tool you will need a hacksaw for metal and a sharp knife.
Make a cage like this:
Step 1.
Cut off the upper part of the side walls so that the height around the entire perimeter of the box is the same.
Step 2.
A high box is installed on a shallow box (it acts as a pallet), and a small box is placed on top.
Step 3.
A lid is cut in the upper drawer.
Step 4.
Diamond-shaped windows are cut in the side wall of the box so that the birds can drink and eat.
This space is sufficient for keeping 8-12 birds.
Features of the diet of quails
Quails are fed up to 4 times a day, giving food ad libitum. In the morning and in the evening, a mixture of cereals and fat is offered, the proportion of which is 3-5% of the total amount of feed.
According to the observations of breeders, good result weight gain is provided by feeding a mixture consisting of mixed feed for broilers (80%) with peas (20%). Peas are pre-boiled for 20 minutes. In Japan, a scheme is used in which, after egg-laying, young animals are given only grain feed for 14–20 days. This method is considered simple and effective.
Attention! You cannot immediately change the feed. This will cause massive deaths in the herd. New products are introduced gradually over 3-4 days. The first day the diet is renewed by only 50%.
Feeding continues for 28 days. The average serving per head is about 30 g per day. In the last week, it has been increased by 8%.
Attention! If the diet is not made correctly, then the birds develop a tendency to cannibalism.
Self-prepared compound feed recipe
It is profitable to buy ready-made compound feed when several poultry are kept in the yard. If the count goes to the hundreds, then the farmers consider it more profitable to make food for their wards with their own hands. You will also need special equipment - a grain crusher, which you can buy or make yourself.
Prices for popular models of grain crushers-feed cutters-grass cutters
Grain crusher-feed cutter-grass cutter
Table 2. The composition of the grain feed for quails.
| The product's name | Content, per 1 kg of mixture (g) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | |||
| 1-4 weeks | 5-6 weeks | After 7 weeks | |
| Corn | 400 | 430 | 410 |
| Wheat | 86 | 250 | 160 |
| Soybean meal | 350 | 100 | 200 |
| Wheat bran | – | 50 | 50 |
| Fish flour | 50 | ||
| Meat and bone meal | 30 | 30 | 40 |
| Herbal flour | 10 | 35 | 25 |
| Dry return | 30 | – | – |
| Yeast | 20 | 30 | 40 |
| Shells, chalk | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Table salt | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Premix | 10 (P5-1) | 10 (P6-1) | 10 (W1-1) |
| Nutritional value of 100 g of feed | |||
| Exchange energy, kJ | 1216 | 1156 | 1197 |
| Protein,% | 28 | 17.3 | 20.94 |
| Cellulose, % | 4 | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Calcium,% | 1.01 | 1.12 | 2.84 |
| Phosphorus,% | 0.91 | 0.87 | 0.913 |
| Sodium,% | 0.4 |
Breeders differ somewhat on the composition of the feed. So, some farmers advise including carrots in the diet. The root vegetable gives the meat a beautiful golden hue. At the same time, they recommend removing fish products so as not to spoil the taste of dietary meat.
Video - How to make a grain crusher yourself
Fattening of rejected young stock
Juveniles culled due to defects are also fattened for meat. The product is very tasty and tender.
At the beginning of fattening, the legs of young quails are tied with threads, which are removed after 5 days. If the threads are not removed, they will cut, and then grow into the skin, causing painful sensations. This will affect the appetite of the charges and the speed of mass gain.
The first days of weak chicks are hand-fed until they get stronger and begin to eat on their own. The main products in the diet are hard-boiled, grated eggs, sifted compound feed, yogurt, cottage cheese.
After 7 days, the quails are transplanted into darkened cages with individual compartments to limit mobility. Fattening lasts 22-25 days. During this time, the carcass gains weight up to 100 g.
Quail diseases
The breeder may face such poultry diseases:
- salmonellosis;
- colibacillosis;
- pullorosis;
- aspergillosis;
- helminthiasis;
- pseudo-plague;
- smallpox.
Most of these diseases are infectious, and are transmitted to birds through poor-quality food and drink. The reason for the rapid spread of infection is the excessive crowding of birds in the cages. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the quality of food, clean the cages in time, and prevent other animals and wild birds from entering the poultry houses. Individuals from other farms should first be quarantined.
Another problem that farmers may face is vitamin deficiency. To prevent this from happening, the diet should have enough green fodder, legumes, and fodder yeast. If necessary, the quails are given veterinary vitamin supplements.
Healthy birds have beautiful, smooth plumage. They are mobile and eat well. Symptoms that should alert you:
- violations in the behavior of the bird - agitation or lethargy, depression;
- digestive disorders, diarrhea;
- exhaustion;
- discharge from the eyes, nose;
- increased body temperature.
In such cases, sick individuals are separated from the herd and the cause of the disease is found out, and appropriate treatment is provided. In some cases, it is not possible to save the livestock.
Quail slaughter
The quail for meat has well-developed muscles on the thighs and chest, an expressive keel of the chest, and the ends of the pubic bones are easily palpable. The fact that the bird is well fed is evidenced by a layer of fat on the chest. The average weight of quails at the age of 2 months depends on the direction of the breed:
- egg - 110-130 g;
- meat - 160-200 g.
In broilers, the weight can exceed 200 g, and reach 400 g at the age of 40 days.
Usually average meat yield in meat breeds reaches 70%. Experienced breeders recommend slaughtering before puberty - no later than 40 days. The younger the bird, the tastier.
Price for kitchen electronic scales
Kitchen electronic scales with a bowl
They stop feeding the birds 5-6 hours before slaughter, but they give them unlimited water. This is done to clear the contents of the intestines and goiter. If there is food inside, then during cutting the walls of the organs may burst. Then the meat will get dirty and will be stored less.
Quail before slaughter is divided into adults and young (less than 2 months old). If the slaughter is not carried out in the courtyard itself, then the bird is delivered to the required place in boxes made of metal or wood. Immediately before the procedure, the bird is fixed upside down. The head is cut off with pruning shears or scissors. After that, the carcass is left in this position for about 40 seconds, allowing the blood to drain.
The quail is scalded, plucked, singed - for example, with a burner. After removal, the limbs are removed internal organs, washed carcasses in water heated to 30 ° C. Then the meat is cooled, placed in plastic bags and placed in the refrigerator or freezer.
Quail provides delicious dietary meat for the family. For this, several dozen individuals are enough. If the poultry is raised for commercial purposes, then experts recommend forming a herd of at least 500-600 heads. Quails are fertile, and in just a year their number can increase 10 times. Therefore, such a business will quickly pay off.
Video - How much does a quail eat per day
