Quail farming ------

Quail Farming

1. QUAIL FARMING PREPARED BY- SURYA ADHIKARI B V Sc & AH, NPI (PU) NEPAL

2. Introduction The term “quail ” refers to a group of small--sized birds, which generally run rather than fly to escape from danger, the term itself meaning “to sink, shivering from fear ”. Japanese quail is also known as Coturnix quail, Pharaoh’s quail, Eastern quail, Bater (Hindi) and Battai in Nepali. Quail are widely distributed in Europe, Africa & Asia, where they are regarded as migratory species.

3. Quail were either domesticated in Japan about the 11 th century or brought to Japan from china at that time. They were first raised as the pet and singing birds, but by 1900 Coturnix in japan had become widely used for meat and egg production. Japanese quail ( Cotumix coturnix japonica)  is the domesticated species widely reared throughout the world for meat and eggs.

4. In Nepal… Quail farming in Nepal is going popular between farmers, raising quail for meat and eggs . Quails are smallest species of poultry bird, very easy for farming and very rich in protein but still only few farmers’ practice commercial quail farming in Nepal . Specially medium poultry farmers keeps quail in small scale. Quail farm Quails poultry are short cycle birds it matures early and start laying eggs in the sixth week in this way it is better to improve the economic condition of Nepali farmers . Quail meat is popular in many hotel and restaurant.

5. Characteristics of Quail very small sized bird. Adult quail wt.- 150 to 200 grams An egg weights around 7 to 15 grams. Female quails start laying eggs within their 6 to 7 weeks of age and continuously lay one egg daily. They lay about 300 eggs in their first year of life. After that they produce about 150 to 175 eggs in second year. Eggs production gradually decrease after their first year of laying period.

6. Cntd….. Quail egg is very suitable for human health. It contains 2.47 % less fat than chicken egg. Many people believe that ‘quail eggs help to prevent blood pressure, diabetic, pant etc.’. Quail meat is very tasty and nutritious. Fat is very low in their meat. So quail meat is very suitable for blood pressure patients. Eggs are very beautiful with multiple color. Quails do not incubate their eggs. So you have to use an incubator or brooder chickens for hatching their eggs .

7. Benefits of Quail Farming Quails are smaller sized poultry birds, and it’s very easy to handle them. Quails are smaller sized bird, so they can be raised within small place. Feeding cost of quails are comparatively lower than chickens or other poultry birds. Diseases are less in quails, and they are very hardy. Quails grow very fast and gain maturity faster than any other poultry birds.

8. Cntd….. They start laying eggs within their 6 to 7 weeks of age. It takes about 16 to 18 days to hatch their eggs. Meat and eggs of quail are very tasty, delicious and nutritious. So it’s a great source of food and nutrition. Quail farming needs small capital, and labor cost is very low. Quails can be raised successfully in commercial method. Some people have already started commercial quail farming business. Quails are very strong bird and diseases or other health problems are less. So risks are less in this business.

9. Cntd…. Quail meat contain less fat. So, it is suitable for high blood pressure patients. Their food to meat or eggs converting efficiency is satisfactory. They can produce one kg meat or eggs by consuming three kg food. You can raise 6 to 7 quails in the same place that is required for one chicken. As the quail eggs are smaller in size, so the price is also lower than other bird’s egg. As a result, all types of people can buy quail eggs and you can easily sell the eggs. As the primary costs are less, so you can start this business with a very little investment. You can raise about 6 to 8 quails within 0.91 squire meter area.

10. Disadvantages of Quail farming There are some disadvantages to using or raising Coturnix. They have a particularly high amount of ammonia content in their drooping & odor may be thus objectionable. A rapid decline in reproductive efficiency occurs after approximately 8 months of age. Shell damage is occurs frequently in the quail eggs. The colored egg shells of Coturnix may make candling or writing on the shells difficult. Fertility and hatchability percentages of are generally lower than that of other commercial strain of chickens and turkeys. Newly hatched chicks are sensitive to drafts and must be given special care during first week or two week of age. Japanese quail are more easily excited by sudden noises than other types of poultry birds.

11. How to Start Quail Farming Business? As quails are smaller sized poultry birds, so it’s very easy to establish a quail farm . Make a proper quail farming business plan before starting. And work according to the plan . A proper business plan should include breeds, housing, feeding, care and marketing strategies.

12. Brooding & Rearing Quails are comparatively more sensitive than chickens. They need better care during the first 2 weeks of their life. Thereafter they become harder. Chicks need artificial heat and temperature management system for 14 to 21 days from their birth. They can be raised in both litter and battery system. Newly hatched chicks require desirable temperature of about 35 deg. C (95 deg. F) during the first weeks of brooding, then gradually reduced @ 3.5 deg. C per week until the chicks are fully feathered at about 4 weeks.

13. Lightening period of laying quails Age Temperature (o Celsius) Light (Hour) 1 Week 35 24 2 Week 30 24 3 Week 25 12 4 Week 21-22 12 5 Week 21 12 6 Week 21 13 7 Week 21 14 8 Week 21 15 9 Week 21 16 Other Time 21 16

14. Keep in mind the following factors while raising quail chicks. Adequate temperature Sufficient light Proper air movement Density of quail chicks Supply of food and water Hygienic rearing rules

15. Breeds of Quail There are about 18 breeds of quail are available throughout the world. Most of those are suitable for commercial quail farming in Nepal. Some of these breeds are famous for egg production and some are popular for meat production. According to their production, quail breeds are of two types such as broilers and layers.

16. Broiler Quail Breeds Layer Quail Breeds Bobwhite (American) White Breasted (Indian) Tuxedo Pharaoh British Range English White Manchurian Golden

17. Housing system of quails Housing is very important for quail farming. The house must have to be out of the reach of wild animals. Also prevent all types of predators Quail can be raised in both litter and cage systems.

18. 1.   Deep litter system 6 quails can be reared in a sq.ft. o f floor space . Litters materials-Paddy husk, groundnut hulls, Saw dust Depth of litter- 2.5 cm depth during brooding then 5cm. After two weeks quail can be reared in cages.

19. 2. Cage System Quail farming in cage system is more suitable than raising them in deep litter system. In cage system, management is very easy and diseases or other problems are less. Use wire net for making their cages. Size of Cages- Age Cage Size No.of birds First 2 weeks 3 x 2.5 x 1.5 ft. 100 3- 6 weeks 4 x 2 .5 x 1.5 ft. 50

20. Feeding & Nutrition Generally an adult quail consume about 20 to 35 grams of food daily . Clean fresh water should be supply for 24 hrs. Types of ration Ration CP% ME Kcal/kg Starter ration (0-3 wks.) 27 2750 Grower ration (4-5 wks.) 24 2750 Layer or Breeder (6 wks. onward) 22 2650

21. Feed can be formulated as follows. Feed Ingredients Chick mash Grower mash   0-3 weeks 4-6 weeks Maize 27 31 Sorghum 15 14 Deoiled RiceBran 8 8 Groundnut Cake 17 17 Sunflower Cake 12.5 12.5 Soya meal 8 - Fishmeal 10 10 Mineral Mixture 2.5 2.5 Shell grit - 5

22. Breeding/ Reproduction Quails start laying their eggs at the age of 7th week. They attain 50% egg production at 8th week of age . In order to produce fertile eggs, the male quails should be reared along with the females at 8-10 weeks of age. Usually egg laying happens during the evening time of the day . The male, female ratio is 1:5 . Incubation period in quails is 18 days . With 500 female quails we can produce 1500 quail chicks per week

23. Management of Quail

24. Quail Diseases Quail is very hardy bird compared to other poultry species. So, diseases are less in quails, compared to other poultry birds. But, they are very sensitive to sudden environmental changes specially during the first two weeks of their life. Generally they are not provided any disease preventive vaccines. Following diseases are very harmful for the quails. 1. Ulcerative Enteritis (Quail Disease) 2. Coccidiosis 3. Histomoniasis (Blackhead) 4. Capillary Worms ( Capillaria spp.) /crop worms

25. Pest and Disease Control Check the birds regularly for lice or mites. A small dusting box containing sand mixed with an effective insecticide works well. Every time birds are handled, dust them with an insecticide. Sanitation is a must throughout your entire program. Clean water troughs daily, water jars at each refill, feeders at least once weekly, and maintain a general cleanup. Do not store mixed feed for longer than one month ahead of needs. It may become moldy , lose quality, and become harmful to the birds, especially if improperly stored. Do not allow your labor to raise fowl of any type. They can transmit diseases from their hands to your birds. This source of disease is often overlooked by quail producers. Keep visitors out of the breeder pens and areas. For some, this may be hard to do, but it will save you problems in the future.

26. Hygienic Quail Farming Tips To keep your quails healthy and productive, follow the hygienic quail farming method which are mentioned below. Always try to keep their house dry and clean. Ensure proper movement of light and air inside their house. Keep different aged quails separated from each other. Separate the disease affected quails from the healthy one. Burn the dead bird or put under soil. Don’t allow other birds, animals or unknown persons enter inside your farm quail house. Ensure hygienic and balanced feed supply. Provide adequate fresh and clean water according to their demand.

27. Marketing Market age- 6-8 weeks Quail meat and eggs are very tasty and highly e nriched with nutrient elements. So there is already an established market for quail products. As quail birds and their eggs are small in size, so it is cheap in price and all types of people can purchase.

28. Commercial Quail Meat Production Tender Low in fat More tasty

29. Quail Meat Products Quail Meat Pickle Quail Tandoori Fried Quail Chilli quail

30. Commercial quail egg production Age of maturity- 6 weeks Weight of an egg- 10-15gm Number of egg/ year- 300

31. Quail egg products Quail egg pickle Whole egg powder Brined quail egg

32. References: 1. http://www.roysfarm.com/ 2. http://quails.ecochickspoultry.com / 3. http://www.asiafarming.com / 4. Banerjee G.C (2012), Poultry third edition, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi, India

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