Breeding quail hens is one of the types of business that brings a steady income to the entrepreneur. These birds are a source of delicious meat and diet eggs, which contain many nutrients in their composition. Breeders artificially bred breeds that are designed to produce either meat or eggs.
Laying quail breeds for the home farm
Quail eggs are more nutritious than chicken eggs. Their important advantage is the lack of cholesterol in the composition. They can be eaten raw without fear, since quails do not suffer from salmonellosis. Quail eggs contain iron, potassium, vitamins A, B1 and B2.
If the entrepreneur decided to breed quail to get eggs, he should pay attention to the breeds of egg direction. These include the following:
- Japanese quail. These birds are characterized by a high egg production rate: it is 90% and higher. The average weight of Japanese quail is up to 150 g. The weight of an egg of birds of this breed averages 11 g. The period of active egg laying is about a year, then it decreases. Representatives of this breed are unpretentious to the conditions of detention. In addition, they have strong immunity.
- English white quail. These birds belong to the group of meat and egg. Representatives of this breed have good egg production: one female brings about 280 eggs per year. Egg laying begins at the age of 41-43 days. They are unpretentious in maintenance, do not require a special feed base.
- Kitavers. Quail of this species gives about 290 eggs annually. Females begin to rush at the age of 40-50 days. The survival rate of these quails is the highest among representatives of other breeds: it is 95%, which makes them especially beneficial to breed in a home farm.
- Manchu Golden Quail. Representatives of this breed have lower egg production rates. Females give up to 220 eggs per year, but this breed is popular among breeders. This is due to the fact that the weight of the egg reaches 16 g - 4-5 g more than eggs from other quail breeds.
Japanese quail
English white quail
Kitavers breed
Manchu Golden Quail
These breeds are ideal if the entrepreneur plans to get the main profit from the sale of eggs. All of the listed quails have a small body weight, therefore they give a small amount of meat.
How many eggs can lay hens?
The number of eggs that produce laying hens depends on the specific type of bird, as well as its weight. The egg production rates for each breed were given above.
A quail weighing 120 grams lays more than 300 eggs or more, if properly cared for.
In the first month after the laying of eggs, one female gives about 8 pieces, in the next 6 months - 25 pieces per 30 days.
Small breeds produce fewer eggs, but some of them have more weight.
About when the quail begins to rush, how many eggs it gives on average and how to increase this number, it is described here.
Features of keeping and breeding birds in a home farm
In order for the quail to give the required number of eggs, it is necessary to place them in comfortable conditions and provide everything necessary for their full development and reproduction.
First of all, laying hens need to be kept in spacious cages. You can make them from timber, plywood, galvanized wire. To save space, you can put cells on top of each other.
Do not start breeding quail of egg breeds on a farm where birds of other breeds were previously located: this can cause the development of various diseases among them.
Quail can be carried without males, but breeding will require representatives of both sexes. To do this, it is recommended to purchase young animals - males and females aged from a month to a month and a half.
Sand should be poured into the bottom of the cage. It is recommended that the bottom be tilted to the feeder so that the eggs slide into the gutter. It is recommended that tissue be placed on top of the cell.
Each cage needs to be cleaned weekly with disinfectants. It is necessary to carefully wash the feeders and drinking bowls, remove bird droppings.
It is also necessary to remember such moments as:
- Temperature mode. In the room in which laying birds are kept, the temperature should not exceed 25 degrees. In no case should minus indicators be allowed.
- Lighting. Layers need an 18-hour daylight. At night, the light should be dim or dim.
- Room ventilation. In the utility room, a high-quality ventilation system is required. Drafts should be absent.
As for nutrition, quails need a balanced diet. The structure of a complete feed for laying should include:
- herbal flour;
- cereals;
- cake;
- fodder yeast;
- crude protein, the role of which can be performed by chopped boiled eggs.
More information about the content and breeding of quails can be found here.
Ways to increase egg production
To increase the egg production of laying hens, it is necessary:
- minimize extraneous noise near bird cages;
- to improve the lighting mode: so that the bird feels comfortable and does not lower the egg production, it is recommended to dim the additional light every 12 hours;
- to prevent the accumulation of a large number of waste products: when this happens, the smell of ammonia is released, which negatively affects the ability of quail to carry eggs;
- add corn, sunflower, rapeseed or soybean oil to bird food;
- increase air humidity: the indicator should be 50-70%.
Breeding quail hens - an opportunity to start your own business, which brings a steady income. These birds do not require special care, the main thing is to ensure good nutrition and cleanliness. To get eggs in a home farm, you need to get representatives of eggs of egg breeds.