Dreaming of quail in my tiny urban backyard...eggs.....but meat....???!

[Phneyda]

Thought I’d add this to the meat birds thread, if it’s relevant.

So....it’s the middle of the night.....ok this sounds weird, but I’ve basically watched a dozen or so quail butchering videos...I’m going crazy in quarantine...

I’ve only had chickens for 6 months! I dove in head first and don’t regret it! I currently have 3 bantam hens, an (illegal) sweet (but loud) little roo (will be rehomed), and 7 chicks. They are soooo cute!

I got into all of this stuff pretty quickly! I started watching some homesteading channels...this sounds dramatic, but it might’ve changed my life! Because, not only am I obsessed with chickens and gardening, but I want a mini hobby farm when I grow up! I don’t even think it’ll happen. But it’s so cool to explore!

Idk how long I’ve been wondering, but I want quail...! Now, to put this in context:

-I already have chickens
-I’m in lockdown
-all of my money is spent on chickens lol
-my parents are supportive, but not into this thing I’m obsessed with...
-boi, i’m a kid.

HOWEVER:

-even though my parents are not animal lovers, I SOMEHOW manages to convince them in chickens. In a WEEK. I don’t even know how that happened!!!
-I already have a suitable habitat...it’s a second hand mini coop, very small, but so are quail!! We’re talking 60cm x 180cm?? Plus a sleeping and nesting area! It’s made of hardware/aviary mesh, I can add a predator apron.
-already have small feeders
-so basically all I need is food, and the quail themselves!

So yeah...probs not gonna happen anytime soon but.....my 13th birthday is coming up in a month or two... >;3

Also, I tried quail eggs before, they were quite nice! I haven’t tried quail meat though!

Now for section two of this post lol

Meat..?

So...I love animals...never killed one. Quail are adorable ;-;

My big disadvantages:

-Never killed anythibg
-Quail are cuteeee
-Don’t really know anyone to help me?? Like learning from a friend would be amazing!
-A little squeamish? Not excessively.
-Nerve twitches would probably freak me out.
-Is my family seriously gonna let me do this?? Like, NO!
-TBH I’d probably get attached
-Better not mention this to my family, they’ll think I’m phyco
-I’ll probably vly wake up in the morning and think “no, why would I want to butcher quail?”

Good things:

-I’m pretty determined, Willing to try new things
-Excess males would probably need to be culled...
-I LOVE food. Homegrown meat would be an absolute first! Butchering is sad, but I think it’s good to know where it comes from! I know what goes into my food, I know it had a happy life.

I’ve mentioned I might grow my own meat when I grow up to my family, they laugh. It is pretty unbelievable. Don’t know how is do it, but I’m determined to look into it! I love research! I’m -2357% ready to butcher a chicken, even though quails are adorable, chickens are just another level, more space, more equipment, more work , more time, and it would be WAY harder emotionally!! Also, I live in a tiny backyard! I’m definetely NEVER raising anything for meat like that, even quail is extremely unlikely.

I think killing it would be the hardest part...once it’s cleaned up I’d be relived. I don’t actually know if I’ll be able to butcher something...wonder if I’ll ever find out? Attending someone else’s processing day would be very helpful! But, idk anyone... while I’m a little squeamish, I think i would be able to process it ok.

Btw, I’m thinking a flock of 7-12?? I have a pretty small, 10 x 10m sort of backyard, in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

There is so much against me...mainly my family not wanting to, and me being a kid who has no idea what to do! Also, killing something...I think in theory I could do it...eventually....it would take some mental preparation! I don’t think I’d raise them specifically for meat, but If some are gonna have to be put down anyway, even if it’s hard, I feel like I’d honour that life more by making use of it? I guess it’s the “if you die would you rather be used?” Because, some people would go; “what bruh no, I don’t want to be eaten/used” or; “I’m dead anyway, might as well be if use”

ok that’s way too many emojis for sure...

Anyways there’s my rant. I reallyyyyy need to sleep to endure double engineering tomorrow...

Lemme know if you care! I’d love to hear your stuff....idk, opinion? Experiences?

Ty for reading guys ♥

Quailiens I wish

Lol, I love the enthusiasm!!! I was totally like you when I was younger. But I was older when I got quail for fun. Gave the eggs to my rats and never thought of bothering them for meat because they were pets. Had I thought of it, I definitely wouldn’t have told my mom because she got really attached to them. Your parents aren’t animal people now, but don’t be surprised if they fall for whatever animal you bring home. Butchering may need to be a group decision. Also, there may be zoning laws in your area against butchering animals in your home. You should check.

 

[The Backyard Bantams]

Lol, I love the enthusiasm!!! I was totally like you when I was younger. But I was older when I got quail for fun. Gave the eggs to my rats and never thought of bothering them for meat because they were pets. Had I thought of it, I definitely wouldn’t have told my mom because she got really attached to them. Your parents aren’t animal people now, but don’t be surprised if they fall for whatever animal you bring home. Butchering may need to be a group decision. Also, there may be zoning laws in your area against butchering animals in your home. You should check.

I'm allowed to butcher at home, just not to sell. The meat can't leave the property without a license. Fine by me! I would only butcher for a meal every couple months.

My dad and one of my sisters don't care about my chooks, but my mum and other sister like them. I'm the one who cares for them most of the time, but my mum'll check in them while I'm at school.

Oo rats, I had pet rats! I got chickens start of this year, just after our last died. They are so cute. Chickens are even better, but I still miss feeding them little nuts and renovating their cage!

 

[Quail 66]

Thought I’d add this to the meat birds thread, if it’s relevant.

So....it’s the middle of the night.....ok this sounds weird, but I’ve basically watched a dozen or so quail butchering videos...I’m going crazy in quarantine...

I’ve only had chickens for 6 months! I dove in head first and don’t regret it! I currently have 3 bantam hens, an (illegal) sweet (but loud) little roo (will be rehomed), and 7 chicks. They are soooo cute!

I got into all of this stuff pretty quickly! I started watching some homesteading channels...this sounds dramatic, but it might’ve changed my life! Because, not only am I obsessed with chickens and gardening, but I want a mini hobby farm when I grow up! I don’t even think it’ll happen. But it’s so cool to explore!

Idk how long I’ve been wondering, but I want quail...! Now, to put this in context:

-I already have chickens
-I’m in lockdown
-all of my money is spent on chickens lol
-my parents are supportive, but not into this thing I’m obsessed with...
-boi, i’m a kid.

HOWEVER:

-even though my parents are not animal lovers, I SOMEHOW manages to convince them in chickens. In a WEEK. I don’t even know how that happened!!!
-I already have a suitable habitat...it’s a second hand mini coop, very small, but so are quail!! We’re talking 60cm x 180cm?? Plus a sleeping and nesting area! It’s made of hardware/aviary mesh, I can add a predator apron.
-already have small feeders
-so basically all I need is food, and the quail themselves!

So yeah...probs not gonna happen anytime soon but.....my 13th birthday is coming up in a month or two... >;3

Also, I tried quail eggs before, they were quite nice! I haven’t tried quail meat though!

Now for section two of this post lol

Meat..?

So...I love animals...never killed one. Quail are adorable ;-;

My big disadvantages:

-Never killed anythibg
-Quail are cuteeee
-Don’t really know anyone to help me?? Like learning from a friend would be amazing!
-A little squeamish? Not excessively.
-Nerve twitches would probably freak me out.
-Is my family seriously gonna let me do this?? Like, NO!
-TBH I’d probably get attached
-Better not mention this to my family, they’ll think I’m phyco
-I’ll probably vly wake up in the morning and think “no, why would I want to butcher quail?”

Good things:

-I’m pretty determined, Willing to try new things
-Excess males would probably need to be culled...
-I LOVE food. Homegrown meat would be an absolute first! Butchering is sad, but I think it’s good to know where it comes from! I know what goes into my food, I know it had a happy life.

I’ve mentioned I might grow my own meat when I grow up to my family, they laugh. It is pretty unbelievable. Don’t know how is do it, but I’m determined to look into it! I love research! I’m -2357% ready to butcher a chicken, even though quails are adorable, chickens are just another level, more space, more equipment, more work , more time, and it would be WAY harder emotionally!! Also, I live in a tiny backyard! I’m definetely NEVER raising anything for meat like that, even quail is extremely unlikely.

I think killing it would be the hardest part...once it’s cleaned up I’d be relived. I don’t actually know if I’ll be able to butcher something...wonder if I’ll ever find out? Attending someone else’s processing day would be very helpful! But, idk anyone... while I’m a little squeamish, I think i would be able to process it ok.

Btw, I’m thinking a flock of 7-12?? I have a pretty small, 10 x 10m sort of backyard, in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

There is so much against me...mainly my family not wanting to, and me being a kid who has no idea what to do! Also, killing something...I think in theory I could do it...eventually....it would take some mental preparation! I don’t think I’d raise them specifically for meat, but If some are gonna have to be put down anyway, even if it’s hard, I feel like I’d honour that life more by making use of it? I guess it’s the “if you die would you rather be used?” Because, some people would go; “what bruh no, I don’t want to be eaten/used” or; “I’m dead anyway, might as well be if use”

ok that’s way too many emojis for sure...

Anyways there’s my rant. I reallyyyyy need to sleep to endure double engineering tomorrow...

Lemme know if you care! I’d love to hear your stuff....idk, opinion? Experiences?

Ty for reading guys ♥

Quailiens I wish

Hi . I am not a kid! Like you I watched hundreds of YouTube videos with quails and during the quarantine 7 months ago ( by the way I'm in quarantine again) started with 3 babies. Best time of my life! Now I have 7 ( I borrowed an incubator). I love the eggs. I'm lucky, I have a friend with lots of birds , chickens, pigeons, even ostriches for a while, in a small village who was interested in trying to raise quails too. I gave him the males I couldn't keep or dirds that were aggressive. Eventually I will have to taste them ( I have never eaten quail before) but he will do it for me. I know, I am a coward. Plus, I keep them in my balcony. No garden. My advice, avoid the males. They are really laud and if you keep them apart from the flock to avoid fights or overbreeding they will keep croak all night long. Maybe you could find some farmer outside your town who offers activities like horse riding or something and make some arrangement like I did. In case you decide you don't want to do it yet. You don't have to be a farmer all the way. See how it goes first. Have some fun. For now I just use the eggs and observing their behaviour. I'm determined to make them hatch naturally. I have one hen that went broody 2 or 3 times already. Good luck (do not feed them potatoes, parsley or avocado)