Quail keeping for beginners: The complete guide
Quail farming is becoming increasingly popular in Switzerland - both with young families and with farmers who value animal-friendly small flocks. This guide summarizes all the important basics: from the legal framework, suitable housing, feeding and health to breeding and rearing. With practical orientation values and checklists, it helps beginners to set up quail farming in a plannable, animal welfare-compliant and sustainable way.
TL;DR - The most important points in brief
- The coop and run must be dry, draught-free and predator-proof; approx. 1-1.5 m² of indoor space plus a structured outdoor area are recommended per small group (guideline value).
- A balanced complete feed with approx. 18-20% crude protein and sufficient calcium is suitable for laying quails; fresh water and sand baths are mandatory.
- Brood in the incubator at approx. 37.5 °C; start chicks at approx. 35 °C, then lower by approx. 3 °C every week (orientation values).
- Legal: Check animal welfare ordinance (TSchV) and municipal regulations; depending on the canton, there may be reporting or licensing requirements.
- Avoid common mistakes: too little structure, incorrect choice of feed, overstocking, hygiene failures, inadequate predator protection.
Quail keeping for beginners: what is needed for a good start?
Quails - especially the Japanese laying quail - are robust, space-saving poultry with a high laying performance and calm temperament. For a successful start, practicable structures in the coop, species-appropriate activity, a balanced diet and clear routines are important. Paying attention to animal welfare and biosecurity right from the start lowers the risk of disease, reduces stress in the group and ensures stable egg quality.
Why quails? Advantages at a glance
- Compact housing: Small areas are sufficient with good structuring.
- Laying performance: laying quails regularly produce small eggs with fine shells.
- Calm temperament: Suitable for families and school projects.
- Flexible keeping: Outdoor aviary or barn with run - both are possible.
Legal requirements in Switzerland: What rules apply?
The keeping of quails is subject to animal welfare legislation, in particular the Animal Welfare Ordinance (TSchV). Depending on the canton and municipality, building regulations, neighborhood and noise protection regulations as well as reporting or licensing requirements may apply, for example in the case of large flocks or commercial breeding. Before building a hutch, it is advisable to consult the relevant cantonal veterinary office and the municipality. For free-range and outdoor aviaries, particular attention must be paid to predator protection and disease prevention (e.g. contact with wild birds).
The right hutch: requirements and equipment
A good quail hutch offers protection, structure and hygiene - the foundation of animal-friendly quail husbandry. Sufficient space, several levels or visual barriers, a dry climate, draught-free ventilation and a predator-proof outdoor area are crucial. For beginners, a modular solution with easy-to-clean surfaces, separate laying nests and a spacious sand bath is worthwhile.
Specialized offers are available in Switzerland for ready-made, practical solutions. A curated selection of high-quality quail coops will help you find the right size and equipment.
How much space do quails need?
As a guide: For a small group of 5-6 quails, approx. 1-1.5 m² of indoor space is useful, supplemented by a structured outdoor area of approx. 2-3 m². The more the coop is structured (hiding places, privacy screen, raised levels with ramp), the more stable the group harmony will be. Outdoor aviaries should be roofed, protected from the wind and secured against foxes, martens and birds of prey.
Climate, light, hygiene: What guide values apply?
Quails tolerate cool temperatures as long as it remains dry and draught-free. Comfort zone in the henhouse: approx. 10-20 °C; even lower for short periods if the litter is dry. Higher values apply for chicks (see rearing). Daylight promotes well-being, but direct draughts should be avoided. Good ventilation prevents dampness and the smell of ammonia. Dust-free wood shavings or hemp bedding are suitable as bedding; damp areas are spot-cleaned daily, the hutch as a whole every 1-2 weeks depending on occupancy.
Equipment: What needs to be included?
- Sand bath (fine quartz sand/chinchilla sand) for plumage care, always dry.
- Laying nests with soft litter; several entrances prevent congestion.
- Privacy screens and hiding places (bundles of twigs, boxes, low levels) for low-stress group structure.
- Sufficient drinking and feeding places, raised or protected from splashes.
- Predator-proof grids (small mesh sizes) and solid closures.
Feeding and nutrition: the right food for quails
Needs-based feeding is at the heart of stable laying performance and vitality. A complete feed with approx. 18-20% crude protein and a sufficient calcium content is suitable for laying quails. In addition, lime grit or mussel shells, fresh green feed (e.g. herbs, leafy vegetables), occasional insect protein and always fresh water should be provided. Feed is changed gradually over several days.
Practical tip: Choose feed height so that the beak eats at chest height - this reduces waste and litter in the feed. Clean water points daily and keep them frost-proof if kept outside in winter.
Breeding and rearing: From brood to adult animal
Natural brooding or incubator: how does the brood succeed?
Laying quails rarely show a breeding instinct; artificial breeding in an incubator is therefore common. A brooding temperature of approx. 37.5 °C with approx. 45-50 % humidity has proven to be a good guideline; in the last 2-3 days of brooding, the humidity is increased to approx. 65-70 %. Hatching eggs are turned daily, the incubation period is approx. 16-18 days. Cleanliness, stable temperatures and a quiet location are crucial.
Quail chicks: warmth, food, security
- 1 Start chicks at approx. 35 °C under the heat source, then reduce by approx. 3 °C every week until the ambient temperature is reached.
- 2 Provide a non-slip floor, low drinking troughs with pebbles to prevent drowning and a chick starter feed (approx. 22-24 % crude protein).
- 3 Avoid draughts, but ensure sufficient fresh air; remove damp litter daily (hygiene plan).
- 4 Get them used to sand baths and a structured environment early on to prevent feather pecking.
Sexes, groups and rest
The sex of many colors can be identified from approx. 4-6 weeks. A ratio of approx. 1 cock to 4-6 hens is used as a guide in breeding groups. In laying groups without the intention of breeding, cocks are often separated to minimize stress. New birds are always observed in a quarantine box (approx. 2 weeks) and only then socialized.
Avoid common mistakes: Tips for beginners
- Overstocking: too many animals in too little space leads to feather pecking and stress.
- Lack of structure: no hiding places, no visual barriers, permanent light that is too bright.
- Unsuitable food: too little protein/calcium, infrequent water maintenance, dirty bowls.
- Deficiencies in predator protection: insufficient mesh size, weak closures, open floor.
- No health monitoring: weight loss, diarrhea, sneezing or apathetic behavior are overlooked.
Health, prevention and biosecurity
How to keep the stock healthy?
- Quarantine for new arrivals (approx. 14 days) and use separate care materials.
- Regular hutch cleaning; keep sand bath dry; parasite control (mites, worms) with veterinary advice.
- Sensible visitor and wild bird control, especially in outdoor aviaries.
- Observation routine: check appetite, plumage, droppings, breathing and activity.
Vaccination and veterinary care
Vaccination programs vary according to region, flock size and risk. Vaccinations are less common in hobby farming, but can be useful in consultation with a veterinary practice. Early contact with a veterinarian experienced in poultry makes diagnosis and emergency management easier.
Cost and time planning: What should be expected?
The ongoing and one-off costs vary depending on the housing system, material quality and group size. The following figures are approximate values for Swiss conditions (CHF).
Sustainability and ethics: Which decisions make the difference?
Sustainable quail farming relies on durable, repairable stables, efficient feeding and regional supply chains. Kitchen scraps are only fed appropriately and in small quantities. Surplus eggs can be exchanged in the neighborhood. In breeding projects, the long-term placement of surplus cockerels should be considered - planning before breeding prevents problems later on.
Conclusion: Quail keeping for beginners - step by step to a stable flock
Quail farming is successful if the coop, feeding, hygiene and group management work together. With animal welfare-compliant areas, structured outdoor aviaries, a balanced diet and clear routines, calm, healthy flocks can be created. Those who check legal requirements, observe quarantine and avoid common mistakes create good conditions from the outset - and benefit from vital animals and reliable egg quality.
