MODULE 2 SUMMARY

Hello, e-Learners!

This module summary will enable you to revisit and strengthen your understanding of crucial
topics in Module 2. I hope it serves as a valuable reference and helps you in getting a perfect
score on the module test.

Lesson 1: Selection of Stocks

The following key factors must be considered in the selection of stock:

1. General appearance
• The feathers should be tidy.
• Avoid buying those with streaks of white or black feathers.
• Look for birds that appear healthy, active, and alert.
• Avoid birds with physical deformities, signs of illness, or injuries.

2. Uniform sizes
• Choose birds with uniform sizes.
• A mature (60-day-old) Japanese quail would have an average weight of 120 grams.
• A 30–35-day-old bird would only average 100 grams.
• However, some American quail weigh heavier at 220 grams for the mature bird and 200
grams for the 30-35-day-old.

3. Record of the parent stock

• Consider factors like parentage, previous egg production, growth rates, and overall
health.
• Select birds that have a history of good health and resistance to common diseases in your
area. This can help reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

4. Size of eggs
• Select birds with desirable egg sizes based on your market preferences.
• Uniformity in egg size is important for marketing purposes.

5. Laying efficiency
• Choose birds with a track record of good egg production. This can be determined by
reviewing the breeder's production records or performance data.
• A 65% average laying efficiency within a 300-day laying period is desirable.

6. Growth rate/body weight

• Depending on your specific goals (e.g., meat production, egg-laying), select birds with
appropriate growth rates and body weights.
• For meat production, birds with higher growth rates and larger body weights are
preferred.
• For egg-laying, a balance between body weight and egg production efficiency is
important.
7. Size of the flock
• Larger flocks may require more space, feed, and management but can also lead to
economies of scale.
• It is not advisable to start big. Quails are not easy to raise, and a beginner should first get
the necessary experience before going on a large scale.
• Quails multiply rapidly and therefore expansion will not be a problem.
• A beginner can start with 10-15 pullets.

Lesson 2: Housing Management

Housing

• One of the advantages of quail raising is the relatively small space that is required.
• The materials commonly used in making quail cages are plywood, ¼ inch mesh wire,
and 1 x 1 lumber to serve as a framework.
• Quail can be housed under various systems of housing such as the intensive system and
semi-intensive system.
• Here are some common types of intensive quail housing systems:

1. Deep litter system

- The birds are maintained on a deep or thick litter of sawdust, paddy husk, wheat
straw, chopped paddy straw, crushed ground nutshell, or maize cobs.
- The litter can be maintained in two ways:
o The first way is to spread an inch of litter on the floor of the house and let
the quails on to it. As the litter gets saturated with quail droppings a layer
of litter is spread over the old to cover droppings and to provide a clean
surface.
o The second method is to spread about 9-12 inches of litter at the beginning
before the birds are released. As the surface of the litter becomes covered
with quail droppings, the litter is overturned using a rake to move the
droppings down and bring fresh litter to the surface, giving a clean area.
The litter should be overturned once every two or three days.
- Special care must be taken to keep the litter dry and free from molds. When the
litter becomes saturated with quail droppings, the entire litter should be replaced.

2. Cage system
- In the cage system, quails are kept in cages in groups or all together depending on
the number of quails. About 25 to 50 quails can be housed in a single cage.
- The cages may be arranged in a single row, double row, or multiple rows in a shed
or room.
- The cages can be stacked one above the other if the space is limited. In that case,
special arrangements should be made for collecting quail droppings from the
successive cages placed above and for proper disposal.
Components of Quail Housing

• Floor Space
o The total floor space depends on the number of birds one wants to keep.
Generally, 200 square centimeters of space is required for one quail.
Accordingly, the total floor space required is estimated and constructed
depending on the selected housing system.

• Feeders and Waterers

o Each quail should be able to feed and drink water without any problem.
o Provide an average of 10 centimeters of feeding space per bird.
o Since birds do not drink water at the same time, one or two waterers of one (1)
liter each may be provided for 50 birds. The feeders and waterers may be
constructed from any convenient material.
• Dropping Collection Trays
o The litter should be periodically turned over to bury the droppings within it and
allow the clean litter to come to the surface. Continue this process until the litter
is fully saturated, and when turned over, no fresh litter emerges.
o If the droppings are allowed to accumulate on the ground below the cage, care
should be taken to prevent them from becoming wet and moldy, which can lead
to decomposition, producing a foul smell and unsanitary conditions.
o The droppings on the ground can also be periodically covered with a layer of
soil, allowing them to decompose in the absence of air.

• Waste Disposal Space

o All waste from quail farming, such as spoiled feed, droppings, saturated litter,
feathers, dead birds, slaughter waste, waste from greens fed to quails, and
spoiled or shattered eggs, should be disposed of safely in a compost box.

• Feed Store
o The feed can be a mixture of household items or ready-made, commercially
available materials. One should estimate the amount of feed required for one
month and have it stored as a buffer stock.
o Fresh feed items, such as tubers, cole crops, grains, leaves, and stems, can be
dried and stored when they are available in abundance.
o This feed store should be located close to the quail housing and should be
protected from moisture and pests.

• Egg Collection Trays

o The quail house should have built-in egg-laying boxes or a collection tray that
gathers the eggs automatically, like the system used for collecting chicken eggs
in a cage system.
o The cage floor is constructed with a slight slope that allows the eggs to roll out
into an off-holding tray, which serves as an extension of the cage floor.
o In deep litter housing, egg-laying boxes can be positioned in such a way that the
eggs can be collected from outside by opening a back door fixed at the rear of
the laying boxes.
 • Egg Storage
o Collected eggs should be stored in a cool, dark place with an abundance of fresh
air and 70 to 75% humidity.
o At the household level, milled rice, clean ash, and sand in a double-wall mud
pot can be used. For commercial quail farming, a deep freeze may be employed.
o The space between the walls in a double wall pot is filled with water and sand.

• Hatching Equipment
o Hatching may be natural, using a hen, or artificial. It may also come in small or
large sizes available commercially.
o Regardless of the size and type, the hatchery and connected equipment should
be maintained in good functional condition.

• Brooder Requirements
o Brooder requirements for quail are the same as for chicken.
o It may be made of an inverted basket with a mud pot with burning charcoal or
a commercial brooder with electric heating devices.
• Roof
• The quail housing, if it is a caged system, should be placed under a roof capable
of protecting the birds from the sun and rain.
• Protection from cold, heat, rain, and wind
• The quail housing should have facilities to regulate the internal temperature
within an optimum range and to prevent drafts caused by the wind.

Space Requirement
• Layer cages should not be too high.
• They should be 5 inches and 6 inches in height to accommodate the Japanese and
American breeds, respectively.
• Providing too much space will encourage excessive movement, thereby increasing the
risk of injuries.

Lesson 3: Rearing and Brooding Management

Rearing Management
o After the 15th day, the birds are transferred to the growing cages. During the growing
stage, it is not advisable to expose the birds to more than 12 hours of light.
o For smaller operations, a brooder/grower box combination can be constructed, but the
space requirements of the birds should be observed.
o Only healthy birds with uniform sizes should be transferred to the growing cages. The
smaller ones should be disposed of.
o The average mortality from the start of the growing period up to 35 days is 1-4%.
o On the 35th day, the male birds are already discernable by the dark brown color of the
breast feathers. At this stage, the female birds can be segregated and transferred to the
laying cages.
o Approximately 40% of the total population can be chosen as layers on an assumed
50/50 male/female ratio.
 o The remaining birds can be fattened for up to 60 days before they are dressed and sold
as broilers.
o During the 25-day fattening period, light should be restricted from 6-8 hours a day.

Here are some important steps and considerations for successful quail rearing:

1. Housing
• Provide clean, well-ventilated, and predator-proof housing for the quails.
• Ensure adequate space to prevent overcrowding.
• Install proper lighting to stimulate natural day-night cycles and to encourage egg
production.

2. Temperature and Lighting

• Maintain a suitable temperature for the quail, depending on their age. For example,
brooding chicks require warmer temperatures initially, which can be gradually
reduced as they grow.
• Provide appropriate lighting to stimulate activity and egg production. A natural
lighting cycle supplemented with artificial light can be used.

3. Bedding and Flooring

• Use appropriate bedding material like wood shavings, straw, or sand to absorb
moisture and provide a comfortable surface.
• Clean the bedding regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent disease.

4. Nutrition
• Provide a balanced quail feed that meets their nutritional requirements. Commercial
quail feeds are available and can be supplemented with greens, and grains.
• Ensure access to clean, fresh water always.

5. Health and Disease Management

• Regularly inspect your quail for signs of illness or distress.
• Quarantine new birds before introducing them to the existing flock to prevent the
spread of diseases.
• Consult a veterinarian if you suspect any health issues.

6. Egg Collection and Incubation

• Collect eggs frequently to prevent them from getting dirty or cracked.
• If you plan to hatch quail eggs, invest in a good quality incubator and follow proper
incubation procedures.

7. Predator and Pest Control

• Implement measures to protect your quail from predators like birds of prey, and
rodents.
• Use pest control methods to prevent infestations of insects, mites, and parasites.

8. Record Keeping
• Keep track of important information such as hatch dates, feed consumption, egg
production, and any health issues. This helps in making informed decisions and
identifying trends.
 9. Biosecurity
• Practice good biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of
diseases. This includes using foot baths, limiting visitors, and keeping equipment
clean and disinfected.

Brooding Management
• During the first five days, the temperature requirement of the quail is 95° F. This may
be reduced to 90° F on the 6th day down to 85° F on the 10th day after which the quail
birds will have developed enough feathers to keep their body warm under ordinary
room temperature.
• To ensure better circulation of air in the brooding box, air vents should be provided.
Used clean cloth or sack can be spread over the screened portion of the brooder,
especially during the first 10 days. This will help conserve the heat in the brooder.
• Five or six layers of clean and dry newspaper shall be used to cover the mesh wire
flooring during the first 10 days. The practice is necessary because it will not only help
conserve the heat inside the brooder box but more importantly, cleaning and removal
of quail manure (which is done on every other paper) is facilitated by just rolling the
topmost layer of paper.
• After the 10th day, all the papers are removed from the feeding through covered with
¼ mesh wire (to avoid much spillage) will be used. Water in the drinking fountain
should be changed daily and care must be exercised to avoid spilling water over the
paper to prevent unnecessary dampness.
• Gas lamps or electric bulbs may be used to control the temperature inside the brooder.
The brooder box must be cat and rat-proof.
• With proper feeding the brooding stage usually lasts up to 15 days. Mortality can be
kept at 5% - 8% during the brooding stage when enough water and optimum
temperature are maintained.

Lesson 4: Feed Formulation

Nutrient Requirements of Quails

1. Water
• The most important nutrient is water. Quails need water for temperature regulation,
waste removal, nutrient digestion, and joint lubrication.
• Water deprivation can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and ultimately, death.

2. Protein
• Proteins are used to form meat, feathers, eggs, blood, hormones, and immune
responses. They are composed of small compounds called amino acids.
• Common dietary protein sources used to meet amino acid/protein requirements
include soybean meal, corn gluten meal, meat and bone meal, poultry by-product
meal, and canola meal.

3. Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates include sugars, starch, cellulose, and gums. They provide the bird
with a source of starch and simple sugars.
• Sources of carbohydrates include corn and other grains.
 4. Fats
• Fats have a higher energy concentration than carbohydrates and are also necessary
for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins.
• Fat sources tend to undergo oxidation, become rancid, and can potentially destroy
the activity of vitamins.

5. Minerals
• Mineral deficiency symptoms in quail include bone disorders, decreased egg
production, thin-shelled eggs, reduced growth, poor feather development, and
anemia.
• Macro minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, potassium, and
magnesium, are needed in relatively large amounts.
• Microminerals include manganese, zinc, iron, copper, iodine, molybdenum, and
selenium.

6. Vitamins
• Vitamins are organic compounds required in low concentrations for growth and
reproduction.
• Vitamin deficiency symptoms include reduced bone formation, decreased egg
production and hatchability, fatty liver, and kidney degeneration.
• Fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K.
• The B vitamins, along with choline and vitamin C, are water-soluble.

Feeds for Quail

Pre- Mix Feeds

• Mixing feed on the farm may be an option for producers who want to reduce costs,
but it requires specific equipment and additional labor.
• One approach would be to mix a certain amount of corn and soybean meal with a
commercial premix rather than attempting to mix a vitamin premix and mineral premix
separately due to the small volume of the micro-ingredients needed.

Non-Nutrient Feed Additives

• Anti-microbial agents are compounds given in relatively low concentrations that
suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
• Antibiotics are naturally occurring substances produced by yeast, molds, and other
microorganisms.
• Coccidiostats are a group of chemical compounds used to prevent coccidiosis (an
infection caused by intestinal parasites).

Ingredient Quality
• Feed storage time and temperature can influence the quality of mixed feed.
• Vitamin oxidation can occur with feed stored for long periods, so use feed within three
to four weeks.
• High grain moisture coupled with warm conditions can stimulate mold production.
• Some molds can produce a class of compounds referred to as mycotoxins, which can
adversely affect poultry growth and are known to be toxic.
Lesson 5: Layer Management

• On average, quail starts laying after 45 days from hatching.

• The production cycle of quail lasts for 300-320 days.
• Laying efficiency of quail should be maintained at 65%.
• The major cause of failure in quail raising is the faulty feeding practice employed by
some raisers.
• Most quail raisers today feed commercial chicken feeds to quails. This is an erroneous
practice and should be corrected.
• From the comparison of the crude protein requirements of quail and chicken, we can
see the mark difference in the primary requirements of both birds.
• The protein requirements of chicken and quails are different, and as such, the use of
chicken feeds in quail raising is not advisable.
• For the initial 15 days, grind the birds' feed to a fine consistency that can pass through
a standard window screen wire.
• Like chickens, quails are affected by abrupt changes in feeding. It is not advisable to
change feed abruptly.