A. Brooder House Immediately after hatching, quails are brooded with artificial heat needed by the chicks. A 25-watt bulb is usually pla...
A. Brooder House
Immediately after hatching, quails are brooded with artificial heat needed by the chicks. A 25-watt bulb is usually placed at the middle of the cage. A temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained during the first week and gradually decreases as the birds develop their feathers. Regulate the temperature and provide proper spacing and appropriate feeding to reduce death of birds. If the birds flock towards the light, the temperature is too low. However if the birds stay away from the light the temperature is too hot. The brooding procedures of chicken are same as in quails.
After three weeks of brooding, the chicks are fully feathered and ready to be transferred to the layer house.
B. Layer House
Quails that are to lay eggs are transferred to this house. Elevated slot floor made of bamboo or welded wire is mostly used. This type of house facilitates cleaning. A female quails start laying eggs 41 days from hatching.
Quails can be fed with any available chicken feeds. During the first two weeks, the chicks should be fed with starter mash. From two weeks until 40 days old, the birds are given growing mash and laying mash with 20% crude protein. A kilo of feeds daily for every 50 quail layers is good. Finely chopped vegetables can be mixed with the feeds. Supplemental feeding such as finely ground shell (limestone) should be added to the feeds to produce stronger thicker eggs shells. There should be continuous feeding 24 hours a day to get higher egg production. Allow the birds to consume the feeds thoroughly before giving the next feeding but not restricting their food intake. This will avoid build-up of caked feeds.
Provide a 1/2 inch mesh welded wire and should be cut to fit the feeding trough and laid directly on the feed to prevent the birds from scratching out the feeds. Adequate drinking water should be provided at all times.
Sexes
After 45 days from hatching, the birds should have started laying eggs. Remove the males not intended for breeding. The male of Japanese Seattle can be recognized by their feathers while other breeds can be distinguished by their hoarse cry and protruding vent. Females have a blackish or grayish vent and sharp, high pitch and long melodic chirps.
Sanitary Measures
Quails are not delicate birds and are more resistant to pest and diseases than chickens. However, quials may submit to pest and diseases. Therefore, prevention is better than cure. Here are some suggested preventive measures to be followed:
Immediately after hatching, quails are brooded with artificial heat needed by the chicks. A 25-watt bulb is usually placed at the middle of the cage. A temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained during the first week and gradually decreases as the birds develop their feathers. Regulate the temperature and provide proper spacing and appropriate feeding to reduce death of birds. If the birds flock towards the light, the temperature is too low. However if the birds stay away from the light the temperature is too hot. The brooding procedures of chicken are same as in quails.
After three weeks of brooding, the chicks are fully feathered and ready to be transferred to the layer house.
B. Layer House
Quails that are to lay eggs are transferred to this house. Elevated slot floor made of bamboo or welded wire is mostly used. This type of house facilitates cleaning. A female quails start laying eggs 41 days from hatching.
Quails can be fed with any available chicken feeds. During the first two weeks, the chicks should be fed with starter mash. From two weeks until 40 days old, the birds are given growing mash and laying mash with 20% crude protein. A kilo of feeds daily for every 50 quail layers is good. Finely chopped vegetables can be mixed with the feeds. Supplemental feeding such as finely ground shell (limestone) should be added to the feeds to produce stronger thicker eggs shells. There should be continuous feeding 24 hours a day to get higher egg production. Allow the birds to consume the feeds thoroughly before giving the next feeding but not restricting their food intake. This will avoid build-up of caked feeds.
Provide a 1/2 inch mesh welded wire and should be cut to fit the feeding trough and laid directly on the feed to prevent the birds from scratching out the feeds. Adequate drinking water should be provided at all times.
Sexes
After 45 days from hatching, the birds should have started laying eggs. Remove the males not intended for breeding. The male of Japanese Seattle can be recognized by their feathers while other breeds can be distinguished by their hoarse cry and protruding vent. Females have a blackish or grayish vent and sharp, high pitch and long melodic chirps.
Sanitary Measures
Quails are not delicate birds and are more resistant to pest and diseases than chickens. However, quials may submit to pest and diseases. Therefore, prevention is better than cure. Here are some suggested preventive measures to be followed:
- Sanitation should be strictly observed. The cage and premises should always be cleaned. feeding and water troughs should be cleaned every day to prevent the occurrence of pest and diseases.
- Use healthy stock. Choose birds that have strength and vigor as may be seen in the movement of the birds.
- Avoid overcrowding. Provide adequate housing space. Overcrowding of birds often results in poor health.
- Disinfect houses and equipment before stocking the birds.
- Feed a complete and balanced ration.
- Cull birds that show sign of slow growth and birds that are sickly.
- Bury animals that die from diseases.
Marketing quail products is not a problem. There is high demand for quail eggs and meat. Quail eggs can be sold fresh and boiled. Fresh quails eggs are used in culinary cooking to improve the flavor, taste, and color of dishes. Broiler quails are ready for market when they are 35 days after hatching. Dressed quails are fried like chicken.
Points to Remember
- The Japanese Taiwan breed is commonly raised in the Philippines. Its eggs are small as compared to those of improved breeds and egg production is lower.
- For beginners, the Japanese Seattle is recommended. It is a heavy egg producer and male can be easily recognized by the color of its feathers as early as 30 days of age.
- From egg to egg production is barely two months or 57 days to be exact. A quail egg is hatched in just 16 days and the hen is ready to lay eggs after 41 days.
- The pugo can hatch her own eggs but imported breeds will not incubate their eggs, instead the eggs are incubated in an electric operated incubator.
- The demand for quail eggs and meat is great that there is no marketing problem. Quail eggs are sold fresh and boiled. Quail meat can be served barbecued, fried, as adobo or in any way chicken is cooked.
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