This article will deal with the subject of quails, specifically quail eggs. What we shall be looking at are the best quail for eggs. The most commonly eaten eggs the world over are chicken eggs. However, quail eggs are steadily becoming an alternative to the chicken eggs. Quails are also raised for their meat and for hunting too. The eggs are typically small though laden with rich nutrient content. If we are to compare chicken eggs to quail eggs in terms of total nutrient the ratio would roughly be 1:4. There are different types of quails (over 100 different species) which is why we must explore the best quail for eggs. Egg production can be human consumption or for hatching purposes depending on market needs.
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Why Quails Are Becoming Popular
More and more people are getting into the business of keeping quails. There are several reasons why quails are steadily getting popular. In some countries there have even been serious crazes over the bird with people scrambling to keep them. Anyways, keeping quails is generally low-cost and less labour-intensive. Quails can generally live on small insects and plants – they forage quite well. Their meat and eggs are said to be rich in nutritional content that has several benefits for the human body. Quail eggs are known to have way more iron than chicken eggs, that is just one example.
Blue Scale Quail
These are also known as Scaled Quail. Not only are they rare to find but they also pricey. However, they are excellent egg layers making them one of the best quail for eggs. They are also much easier to keep and fend for because of their quiet demeanour. Blue scale quail can lay at least sixty eggs in one year. They can thrive even in very dry areas and still lay many eggs.
Coturnix Quail
They are also known as Japanese quail or Japanese Coturnix quail. These are a great fit as one of the best quail for eggs. Not only do they have a swift growth rate but they also start laying eggs very early. In less than 2 months they will already be laying eggs. It is possible for Coturnix quails to lay over three hundred eggs annually. No wonder why they constitute some of the best quail for eggs.
Coturnix quails are resilient thus can thrive in harsh conditions. They also tend to be permissible in most parts of the world. You must know that some quail species are not allowed (by law) to be kept domestically in some areas. It is important to know that the Coturnix family branches off into several other types of quails. Some of them are Tuxedo, Jumbo and Rosetta.
Mountain Quail
This is a rare, pricey but best quail for eggs. They are not that easy to fend for especially when they are still young. It takes time for Mountain quail to eat without aid so the first days require close round the clock attention. It takes them about half a year to reach maturity but once they do they consistently lay eggs. They are resilient birds which are able to thrive in any weather be it extremely hot or extremely cold. They can lay as many as 15 eggs in one clutch.
Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhites are also one of the best quail for eggs with great production rates. They reach maturity after around 4 to 6 months and annually they can do one hundred or more eggs. Bobwhite quails are susceptible to anxiety and as such are best kept in enclosed environments. If they are kept outside it tends to weigh down on their psyche and that can diminish they egg laying rates. They are also a great choice in that they are highly resistant to diseases.
Button Quail
They also go by the name King Quail. They grow relatively quickly, reaching maturity in roughly 3 months. Their lifespan is short and the eggs they lay are somewhat much smaller than the usual quail eggs. If you are more interested in eggs for hatching then Button quails are a good pick. Did you know that one button quail can cost as much as US$20?
Gambel Quail
They need about a half a year to reach maturity. They are also quite tasking to look after. Their production rates are good and consistent though.
California Quail
One of their attributes that makes them favourable is their ability to mingle with people. This makes it easy to domesticate and look after them. California quail can lay up to 28 eggs in one clutch.
Factors to Consider For Maximum Productivity
The best quails for eggs might be good and all but that is not enough. There are things you must pay attention to if you are to realize good egg production. Earlier we spoke on quails being good foragers. That is something that should not make you lose sight of the importance of adding commercial feeds where possible. After all, quails are relatively small so they will not need much. Lighting is essential to good egg laying rates so ensure there is for your quails. Quails must get adequate daily exposure to natural light or sunlight. It would be best for them to be exposed as long as sunlight is available. These aspects are important because you must maximize on the rather short lifespans of quails.
Quails are easy to keep because the ground is their typical nesting area – as opposed to what birds normally do (i.e. nesting in or at elevated spots). In principle, it would be best to look at certain fundamental things when choosing the best quail for eggs. For instance, quails only live up to at most four years. This means their lifespan is extremely short. The best quail for eggs would have to be ones that mature early, starting laying eggs early, and lay many eggs.
