Bureau of Animal Industry

Quail Production and Management

Fe Bien R. Garcia, MSc

Senior Agriculturist
National Swine and Poultry Research and Development
Center (NSPRDC)
Tiaong, Quezon
Introduction
 Quail (Coturnix
coturnix) locally known
as Pugo, is a small and
tailless bird found in
many parts of Asia

 require minimal space,

experience, time and
investment.

 quick growers, fast

multipliers

 very efficient in
converting feeds to
eggs and meat
 Quail, known for
its egg (“pugo”),
was the third
most common
type of poultry.

 Around two
million quails
were raised in
2012.

 Layer was also

the leading class
of quail,
accounting for 77
percent
 Quail
holdings/farms
increased five times
over (427.2%) in
2012

 chicken
holdings/farms were
recorded an
increase of two
million
holdings/farms
(78.1%) since the
1980 CAF

 Duck
holdings/farms
tripled (215.6%)
 The number of
quails increased
almost eight times
(300 thousand
birds in1980 to
2.3 million birds in
2012).

 Quails had the

highest number of
birds per
holding/farm at
165 quails per
holding/farm.
 A quail egg is hatched in Why QUAIL….
just 17 days and the hen
is ready to lay eggs after
41 days.

 From egg to egg

production, its just only
two months, or
57 days to be exact.

 Broiler is ready to market

in 35 days from day of
hatching.

 For meat production, the

time is even shorter
 Feeds and Feeding
 A mature laying quail consumes
only 16-24 g of feed a day,
each layer is capable of
producing 300 eggs a year and
have a productive life of up to
two years

 The quail’s sexual maturity is

reached as early as 5 to 6
weeks and mature body size is
attained about 8 weeks in
males and 9-10 weeks in
females.

 Peak of laying is on or about

their 70th day while laying
percentage will start to decline
by the 10th month.
 Feeds and Feeding
 Quail can be feed with any available
chicken feed. Starter ration fed
from day- old to 2 weeks of age,
grower ration from 2-8 weeks of age
and layer ration from 8-12 weeks.

 Layers can be fed at the rate of one

kilo for every 50 quail layers per day.
Add finely ground shell (limestone)
to produce stronger and thicker
eggshell.

 Keep feeds in the troughs all the

time, as feeding should be continuous
24 hours everyday to get higher egg
production.
 Light should be provided so the birds
will continue to eat at night. If this is
done, some birds may lay two eggs in
24 hours.
 Breeding
 Males have a darker brown
pigment on their throats with a
rusty brown breast region.

 Males start to crow at 5-6 weeks

of age, indicating that they had
reached sexual maturity

 The male can mate with 3-5

females
 Females have a cream black-
stippled throats
Female Male
 Females are about 20% heavier
than the males (males weigh 100-
120 gm and females weigh 120-
160 gm).
 Breeding
 To produce fertile eggs, males
and females should be enclosed
in a ratio of 1:6 male and females
respectively.

 Early laying birds may be

segregated for use as breeders,
while late layers are raised for
table egg production

 The right proportion of males in

flock is necessary for a high
percentage of hatchability. The
usual ratio is 70 females to 80
males
 Management
 Young quail chicks need extra
heat to keep them warm until
they are feathered.
 They require a temperature
of about 37°C at first and can
be lower each week until
reaching the room
temperature of about 28°C.
 Water is available at all
times.
 Pebbles should be placed in
the waterers to prevent
drowning during the fist week
of age.
 Light should be provided sat
night.
 Housing
 Quail are housed in houses,
similar to chicken houses.
 If they are raised for egg
production, it is better to
raise them on wire floors
 The housing required is not as
complicated as for chickens.
 A 4 feet x 8 feet x 1 foot
high cage can house 250-300
layers.
 The flooring and all sides are
made of .5 inch mesh welded
wire
 Top cover should be of
lawanit to prevent the birds
from flying.
 Marketing
 Quail eggs can be sold fresh,
boiled, salted, pickled, or as
balut.

 Quail meat can be served

barbecued, fried, as adobo,
guinataan, or in any way
chicken is cooked.

 Hard-boiled eggs are sold by

hawking vendors in plastic
bags

 The demand for quail eggs

and meat is no problem

 Quail eggs and meat are in

great demand.
 Cost and Return of producing eggs
from ready to lay quails, 200 heads ;
Income Amount ( P )

Sales of eggs
54,750 eggs at P1.50@ 82,125.00
Sales of culls
180 hds at P 25.00 @ 4,500.00
Total P 86,625.00

Expenses

Ready to lay quail, P35.00@ 7,000.00

Feeds ,laying mash, P30.00/kg 43,800.00
Medicine& supplement 1,000.00
Non-cash
Mortality 700.00
Total P 52,500.00
Net Cash Income P 34,125.00
Assumptions:
Price of ready-to-lay quail P 35.00
Feeds: 1.0 kg /50 heads /day at P 30.00/kg. P 00.60@
Laying percentage 75%
Mortality 10%
Price of culls P 25.00
Maraming salamat po!