Pharaoh quail are a small, docile species of bird. Also known as the Coturnix or Japanese quail, pharaoh quail grow from hatchlings into mature, egg-laying birds in less than 8 weeks. Pharaoh quail are prolific egg layers, often producing more than 300 eggs a year. Pharaohs are also some of the simplest birds to breed and have a strong maternal instinct that makes them good starter birds for novice game bird breeders.
Instructions
1. Place one male quail and three female quail together in an enclosed coop. Add a feed pan and water dish to the coop and fill with fresh wild bird scratch and water. Pharaoh quail are highly territorial and limiting the number of males in one flock reduces fighting.
2. Set up one nesting box for each hen, bedding the boxes with fresh straw. Pharaoh quail are broody birds and will stir up and move the straw to make the boxes comfortable for nesting, so bed the boxes to a depth of 4 inches for adequate egg protection.
3. Watch for signs of mating. The male quail will puff out his chest feathers, drag his wings along the ground and issue a loud crowing sound to attract females. Receptive hens will lie on their bellies, holding their tails forward as an indicator they are ready to mate. One mating can fertilize multiple eggs.
4. Inspect nests daily for eggs. Pharaoh quail eggs hatch in approximately 17 days, with females sitting on their nests almost constantly to keep the eggs warm. Move feed and water dishes closer to the nesting boxes so brooding hens don't have to travel far to eat.
5. Move newly hatched chicks to a brooder. Brooders are small, enclosed boxes that protect fragile quail chicks from larger birds until they're large enough to defend themselves. Clip a heat lamp to the side of the box and plug it in to keep the small chicks warm. Keep a feed pan full of chick starter and a shallow water dish in the center of the box.
6. Introduce the chicks to the coop once they're 8 weeks of age. The chicks will have molted into their adult feathers and will be large enough to interact with adult birds.
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