Keeping Quail in New Zealand

Quail are the perfect homestead bird for a small section. They are tiny, quiet, quick to mature and they lay a steady stream of pretty little speckled eggs, all in a footprint a fraction of what chickens need. For townhouse backyards, courtyards and anyone short on space, quail open up backyard egg production where a flock of hens simply would not fit.

This page covers what quail need, what to expect from them, and the points to check before you start keeping them in New Zealand.

Why quail suit small spaces

Quail pack a lot into a small package. They mature fast, with Coturnix quail laying from around six weeks of age, far quicker than chickens. They are quiet, particularly the females, which makes them well suited to close living where a crowing rooster would never be allowed. And they take up very little room, so a productive group fits in a space that would feel cramped for a single hen.

Coturnix, also called Japanese quail, are the common backyard type kept in New Zealand and are valued for their eggs. It is worth knowing that the local Coturnix population has been closed to new imports for a very long time, so birds here can be more variable in production than overseas stock. Buy from a good breeder and you will still get a rewarding little layer.

Housing and care

Quail are usually kept in a secure hutch or aviary rather than free ranging, partly because they are small enough to be vulnerable and partly because they can fly up sharply when startled. A covered enclosure with a soft or low ceiling stops them injuring themselves, and a dry, draught free, predator proof house keeps them safe and healthy.

• A secure, fully enclosed hutch or aviary with a covered top
• Dry bedding and a sheltered spot out of wind and rain
• A game bird or high protein crumble, as quail need more protein than chickens
• Clean water in shallow drinkers so chicks cannot drown
• A dust bath, which quail love for keeping clean

Predators, eggs and the rules

Being so small, quail are easy prey for the full New Zealand predator lineup, including stoats, ferrets, rats, cats, dogs and hawks. Rats in particular will take eggs and chicks, so the enclosure needs small gauge mesh with no gaps, a secure floor or skirt against diggers, and a covered top. Predator proofing is even more critical with quail than with larger birds.

On eggs, quail more than earn their keep. They lay almost daily in their first season, and although the eggs are small it takes only a few to match a hen's egg, and they are a delicacy in their own right. On the rules, check with your local council before starting, as poultry bylaws and any keeping conditions vary by area and quail may be treated differently to chickens. A quick call to your council settles it.