The short answer to can you put quail with chickens is that it is not a good idea to keep them in the same house or pen, but they can be side by side.
In recent years, back garden poultry farming has seen a surge in popularity, with many enthusiasts opting to raise chickens for their eggs, meat, or simply as pets. However, the notion of integrating quail with chickens in the same environment has sparked curiosity among homesteaders and small-scale farmers alike who are looking to expand their flock. Can these little birds coexist peacefully? What are the benefits and potential challenges? In this in-depth article, we will explore the feasibility and best practices of housing quail alongside chickens, considering various factors such as space requirements, nutritional needs, and social dynamics.
Understanding Quail and Chickens
Quail Overview
Quail, the best breeds being Coturnix quail and Japanese quail, are small game birds renowned for their delicious meat and nutritious eggs. They are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in diverse environments.
Quail reach maturity quickly, often laying eggs within six to eight weeks of age. Their small size makes them suitable for small homesteads and backyard setups. They don’t need acres of space, and they can even be kept indoors under artificial light. These small birds can be kept for their eggs, for hatching eggs or for meat production.
Chicken Overview
Chickens are perhaps the most popular domesticated poultry worldwide, valued for their eggs, meat, pest control abilities, and even companionship. Various breeds exist, ranging from large birds like Rhode Island Reds to smaller bantam chickens. Chickens are generally social animals that establish a pecking order within their flock.
Key factors preventing putting quail with chickens
1. Bullying. Quail are much, much smaller than chickens. If they were in the same house or pen they could get bullied. They may not get access to food and water. They could get trampled.
2. Pens. When quail are startled they fly vertically upwards. They need to be in enclosed areas with a secure roof to prevent them from escaping when they fly. This is very different to a chicken pen, which doesn’t necessarily need to be enclosed.
3. Free range behaviour. Our chickens free range throughout our garden. They have a penned area, but most of the time the door is open. Generally speaking quail do not free range well. They will just disappear if you leave them to wander around your garden. Chickens will always come home and never stray far.
4. Food. Quail primarily eat grains. Whilst they can be omnivorous and eat the occasional insect, quail food consists mostly of grains. Chickens are more omnivorous and chicken food has a high protein content. Chickens could happily eat quail food, but they would miss out on important nutrition if they ended up eating more quail food than chicken food. If the two birds were housed together, the chickens would likely dominate and eat the quail food.
5. Water. Quail need their water low to the ground. Chickens tend to kick dirt into ground lying water containers. So our chicken’s water is raised off the ground. This would be too high for the quails to reach.
Keeping the two in the same house would compromise the welfare of both species and lead to potential problems that can be avoided if they are housed alongside each other.
Considerations For Quail and Chickens
Space Requirements
Provide at least one square foot of space per quail and four square feet per chicken to prevent overcrowding and minimize aggressive behavior.
One of the primary advantages of housing quail alongside chickens is space efficiency. Quails require significantly less space than chickens, making them an excellent addition to small farms or backyard setups.
By utilizing vertical space and providing appropriate housing, you can accommodate both species without overcrowding. A quail home could be built on top of the chicken coop with some clever DIY skills. Or use something like a rabbit hutch to keep your quail alongside, or even inside your chicken coop.
Social Dynamics
Understanding the social dynamics within your poultry flock is crucial for successful integration. Both chickens and quail have well-established pecking orders. Introducing new birds can disrupt this hierarchy. Whenever you do, monitor their interactions closely, especially during the initial integration phase, to prevent aggression and ensure the well-being of all birds.
The best way to integrate new birds to any flock is to have the birds nearby and visible to the existing flock, but in a separate cage or pen. Let them get to know each other first for a few days before letting them be free to be together. And when integrating, don’t ever integrate just one bird, at least two gives the new birds the chance to have their own mini pecking order and they can stand up to the existing birds.
Chickens and quail could always live alongside one another but in separate enclosures. Each having their own pecking orders and their own social dynamics.
Nutritional Needs
Quail and chickens have distinct nutritional requirements, particularly regarding feed. They eat different foods. While chickens can thrive on standard poultry feed, quail require specialized quail feed enriched with essential amino acids. Ensuring access to appropriate feed for each species to support their health and productivity is an important reason to house them separately alongside each other.
Housing Considerations
When housing quail alongside chickens, provide separate but adjacent living areas to prevent direct contact while allowing visual and auditory interaction. Use chicken wire or hardware cloth to partition the space, ensuring adequate ventilation and protection from predators.
Both quail and chickens love dust baths, you should always include one in their set up. Dust bathing is so important for these birds to keep themselves clean. The act of flinging dust onto themselves protects them from mites. And there is no better sight than a happy chicken or quail sitting in the sun in a dust bath, sometimes I can hear the chickens purring!
Chickens need perches, quail do not. Quail are ground dwelling birds so there is no reason to provide a perch to raise them off the ground. Quail like to have places to hide from predators, logs, foliage, that sort of thing. Chickens on the other hand like to roost high up away from predators. Chickens should always be provided with somewhere to perch.
Disease Management
Actually putting quail in with chickens increases the risk of disease transmission, as they may share common pathogens. Housing them alongside each other allows for great biosecurity measures, such as separate feeders and waterers. In all cases regular cleaning and disinfection of housing areas is required for disease management. With them living side by side the direct contact between the birds will be limited. Always monitor for signs of infectious disease and seek veterinary assistance if necessary.
Benefits of Raising Quail and Chickens
Mutual Benefits
For me the great thing about having both types of birds in my back garden is that quail provide smaller eggs which complement the larger chicken eggs, offering a variety of our own eggs for breakfast.
Both birds contribute to pest control by consuming insects and providing manure rich in nitrogen which is an excellent addition to my compost and helps my plants to grow well.
Nutritional Diversity
Keeping quail and chickens can enhance the nutritional diversity of your poultry products. Quail eggs are prized for their rich flavor and high protein content, complementing the larger fresh eggs of chickens. Furthermore, quail meat is lean and flavorful, offering an alternative protein source for your culinary endeavors.
Conclusion: A Harmonious Coexistence
In conclusion, keeping quail and chickens can be a rewarding endeavor for backyard poultry enthusiasts and small-scale farmers alike. By understanding the unique needs and behaviors of each species and implementing appropriate management practices, you can create a harmonious environment where both quails and chickens thrive. From space efficiency to nutritional diversity, the benefits of housing these little birds alongside each other are abundant.
However, careful planning and ongoing monitoring are essential to mitigate potential challenges and ensure the well-being of your feathered flock. Whether you’re a first-time poultry keeper or an experienced homesteader, the idea of raising quail alongside chickens offers an exciting opportunity to explore the joys of backyard poultry farming in a more natural environment.