Quail are profitable poultry. Of the eleven species of poultry, the quail is a small domesticated bird. Although not as widely known as ducks and chickens, quail farming has become quite popular in the country, because quail can be raised at low cost, in little space and on little feed.

Quail farms have now sprung up in many districts, so you can raise them too. The reasons:

• Being small, quail can easily be kept confined, with large numbers in little space.
• Because costs are low, anyone can start a small farm business with little capital.
• Japanese quail mature within 5 weeks and bobwhite quail within 8 weeks.
• Once mature, broiler quail are ready to be marketed for meat.
• Japanese quail start laying at 6-7 weeks and bobwhite quail at 8-10 weeks.
• Each Japanese and bobwhite quail lays 205-300 and 150-200 eggs a year respectively.
• Quail eggs hatch within 17-18 days.
• Quail meat and eggs are very tasty and of excellent quality.
• Quail carry proportionally more meat on the body than chickens.
• Quail have a higher survival rate than chickens.
• Quail suffer very little disease and have stronger immunity than other poultry.
• Feed costs for quail are much lower.
• The egg is heavy relative to the quail's body weight.
• The eggs are low in cholesterol and high in protein, so they are in great demand.
• Quail can be raised all year round with little capital.
• Quail farming can create self-employment and help tackle unemployment.
• Quail can be kept at home in a small space.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.