Marketing
Here are some suggestions to assist you with marketing.
- Become a member of Ecochicks Quails . You can make many valuable contacts with both producers and customers.
- Advertise, advertise, and advertise some more. It does not cost it pays. Be certain the ads are attractive, clear, and concise. An ad or brochure that looks sloppy will
not gain sales; seek local printers’ advice and assistance. - Keep a neat farm. A prospective customer judges you by the appearance of your farm.
Breeding Stock
If you start with undesirable breeders, you end up with undesirable offspring. It’s just this simple; so be cautious when selecting breeder stock from your stock or from someone else’s. The following suggestions help with selection of the best breeding stock:
- Buy only from reputable breeder dealers. Get the best breeder birds available; your future in the business depends on good breeder stock.
If you plan to buy birds or eggs
- Check the breeders for conformation in size, shape, and color according to the species.
- Check for off color, size, body or leg deformities, and other abnormalities.
- Check records for past history of disease and mortality, if these records are available.
- When purchasing eggs, insist on uniformity in size and shape of the eggs. A large egg produces a large chick; small egg, a small chick. An extra large egg seldom hatches. A mixture of sizes results in unfair competition and can give the birds a poor and slow start.
- When purchasing chick quail for future breeding stock, check the points mentioned above and then look for alertness and vigor in the chick quail. Demand close culling; do not accept cull chicks with the idea you can bring them out.
Pest and Disease Control
- Check the birds regularly for lice or mites. A small dusting box containing sand mixed with an effective insecticide works well. Every time birds are handled, dust them with an insecticide.
- Sanitation is a must throughout your entire program. Clean water troughs daily, water jars at each refill, feeders at least once weekly, and maintain a general cleanup
- Do not store mixed feed for longer than one month ahead of needs. It may become moldy,lose quality, and become harmful to the birds, especially if improperly stored.
- Do not allow your labor to raise fowl of any type. They can transmit diseases from their hands to your birds. This source of disease is often overlooked by quail producers.
- Keep visitors out of the breeder pens and areas. For some, this may be hard to do, but it will save you problems in the future.
Egg Production
The number of eggs per hen will vary, depending on breeder characteristics, breeder
selection, and your general management program.
Guide for Number of Eggs Per Hen
Normal mating season (no artificial light)………………………………………………………50‐100 eggs
Normal mating season (artificial light ‐ 17‐hourday)………………………………………..70‐150 eggs
Preseason or year‐round production(17‐hour day or all‐night lights)…………………150‐200+ eggs