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Butchered my first batch of Coturnix quail yesterday
Posted on 5/26/26 at 10:48 am
Posted on 5/26/26 at 10:48 am
I know there are a few on here who fool with them. Hatched out about 50 eggs on Easter Sunday, so they had just made 8 weeks.
I think they do get hyped more than they probably should, but it’s a fun project that will actually give you something back. I kept about half the birds to continue breeding and will dial it in as I go.
The eggs are surprisingly easy to keep up with, even getting almost 20/day without layer feed. I’ve been pickling them and they haven’t lasted more than 3 days.
Butchering was simple enough, if you’ve cleaned a pile of doves before imagine that with bonus thighs and no shot to pick out. Haven’t eaten them yet but will grill up a few tonight.
I think they do get hyped more than they probably should, but it’s a fun project that will actually give you something back. I kept about half the birds to continue breeding and will dial it in as I go.
The eggs are surprisingly easy to keep up with, even getting almost 20/day without layer feed. I’ve been pickling them and they haven’t lasted more than 3 days.
Butchering was simple enough, if you’ve cleaned a pile of doves before imagine that with bonus thighs and no shot to pick out. Haven’t eaten them yet but will grill up a few tonight.
4
Posted on 5/26/26 at 3:22 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I never cared alot for dealing with the eggs but I love eating the birds. I don't have any now but I raised them several times over the years. I was getting them quite large as I would weigh all of them at 8 weeks and only keep the biggest ones for breeding. I would replace the parents with the biggest offspring each generation.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 4:30 pm to DownSouthTiger
Yeah that’s basically what I started the process of yesterday, weighed them all and the heaviest half went back in the pen, I’ll give them a week to shack up and start another set of eggs in the incubator, then rinse and repeat. All of mine are jumbo genetics but a couple were small, those were a pita to clean.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 4:39 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I’ve been interested in goofing off w them. How much work is it?
Posted on 5/26/26 at 5:07 pm to tigerfoot
There’s a good bit of stuff you need to get right up front or you’ll end up redoing it. I’m still trying to figure out an efficient watering system that they won’t destroy.
Once you’re set up and figure out what you’re doing with your setup, they couldn’t be easier. I collect eggs every day, otherwise they would go 3-4 days without needing anything, then it’s about 10 mins to refill feeders and get rid of manure. They live fast and die young, so you’re never really in over your head to the extent you can’t fix it in an afternoon with a few ziplock bags.
Once you’re set up and figure out what you’re doing with your setup, they couldn’t be easier. I collect eggs every day, otherwise they would go 3-4 days without needing anything, then it’s about 10 mins to refill feeders and get rid of manure. They live fast and die young, so you’re never really in over your head to the extent you can’t fix it in an afternoon with a few ziplock bags.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 5:49 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
This is how I butcher mine
I use a chamber vac for mine after a 24 hour brine.
I use a chamber vac for mine after a 24 hour brine.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 6:20 pm to RemyLeBeau
Those shears are legit.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 6:53 pm to DownSouthDave
I use a pair of fiskers garden scissors, the bottom point is rounded over which makes it easier to go in to clip the back out. Comes with a sheath with a built in ceramic sharpener, highly recommend. I was averaging about a minute per bird by the time I got the hang of it.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 7:34 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I also use shears and clip the backbone out basically spatchcocking them. Agree that if you set it up correctly then maintenance is easy. I have a 5 gallon water bucket piped to some auto-refill chicken water cups. 4” PVC going to a no spill feeder. I can feed and water without having to open the cage. They have a covered sand bath partitioned to an open section with the food and water. 1/2” coated hardware cloth so I can just hit it with a hose to wash out manure into a shaving pile beneath - makes great compost. I do sift the sand daily with a litter scoop and sprinkle some DE in it. I currently have 5 laying from my last batch and 20 3 week olds. Waiting to sex the young ones and cull most of the roosters. Some of mine are feather sexable but many of the new ones aren’t. You can absolutely make your money back and then some by selling pickled eggs. Those suckers go for $12+ for a pint in most stores.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 7:43 pm to AyyyBaw
Your setup sounds about like mine, I have an 8’ by 2’ footprint with four cages total, two high. Each has an open area 3’ by 2’ with a tray underneath and a side 1’ x 2’ sandbox. I’ve found they mostly shite through the mesh and lay eggs on the sand. Currently have 10 hens and 2 roosters in each cage and it seems like that’s about right. Any more and I’d be dumping the trays more than I care to.
I have a 5 gallon gravity fed watering system set up but where I screwed up was putting the autofill cups inside the cages, they jump on them constantly spilling water into the trays, which makes them smell. This weekend I plan to rework the cups to where they’re on the outside and the birds stick their head out into them to drink. Still haven’t 100% figured it out, but that’s been the biggest struggle so far.
I have a 5 gallon gravity fed watering system set up but where I screwed up was putting the autofill cups inside the cages, they jump on them constantly spilling water into the trays, which makes them smell. This weekend I plan to rework the cups to where they’re on the outside and the birds stick their head out into them to drink. Still haven’t 100% figured it out, but that’s been the biggest struggle so far.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 8:50 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I had a bunch of laying hens and built a couple tractors to start raising meat birds. Got pissed off one evening and gave away all my animals before I even bought my meat birds. One day when I slow down I’ll start raising meat chickens and maybe even quail.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 10:01 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
There's a niche part of youtube that is women in third-world countries slaughtering chickens. Some fully clothed and some risque. Its quite the rabbit hole.
quote:
Anyal Al-Fargha was slaughtered by your beautiful hand, she surely entered Paradise. Keep going, I love you from Iraq.
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