When we got back home I started looking for a market that carries the eggs. Let me tell you that they aren't easy to find. I did a little research on Quail and found out that they are fairly small birds that grow quite quickly. Coturnix start laying eggs at 6 to 8 weeks of age. How awesome it is that???
We bought our first quail about 6 months ago and have been enjoying them ever since. We didn't realize how quickly they grow. By 4 or 5 days they start getting their first feathers. Within 2 weeks we had to put a screen over them to prevent them from flying out. We learned about the "flying thing" when my Golden Retriever brought me a 2 week old quail who was struggling to get away from the giant yellow monster. I can start sexing them by 2 or 3 weeks by color and at 4 to 5 weeks they are nearly adult size.
They are a wonderful teaching tool for our children. It helps them understand the cycle of life and death and a are a great tool for teaching responsibility. These aren't pets. They are livestock. It is sometimes a difficult lesson for young children to understand. Quail are spent by about a year and don't usually live past the second year. If we "harvest" them at about a year we are able to enjoy their eggs and meat. If we don't harvest them by the year we risk loosing the birds to natural causes and being unable to use them to feed our family. I don't see that as being a good steward of Gods provisions.
I hope you have an opportunity to try these sweet, delectable eggs. If you live close, come get some! We LOVE to share :)
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