Whether you want to sell or eat the quails, their level of meat production is important.
How Much Meat Does A Quail Yield? The amount of meat that a quail yields mostly depends on its breed. Large breeds such as the Jumbo Brown Coturnix can get as large as 400 grams. How well you feed a quail can also affect its overall size.
How Much Meat Does A Quail Yield?
Factors such as breed, diet, and overall upbringing will determine how much meat quails yield. Some breeds grow a lot larger than others, while others are known for how quickly they develop.
Below are some factors that can determine the amount of meat that you can get from a quail.
Learn how to raise your own quail and have an unlimited supply of eggs and meat.
Breed
As mentioned above, some quail breeds are more notable for meat production because they grow a lot larger or faster than others. Below are a few breeds that are popular among breeders either either for the amount of meat they yield or for the quality of their meat.
- Coturnix Quail
Ranging between 0.22 to 0.44 lbs (100 and 200 grams), the regular Coturnix quail is not the largest quail breed you’ll find around. However, Coturnix quails grow very fast, reaching maturity after about 6 weeks.
Considering how speedy Coturnix quails grow, they are a great option for meat production, since they are often ready to be harvested in less than two months.
Alternatively, there is a special Coturnix breed called the Jumbo Brown Coturnix, and they are specially bred for size, growing beyond 0.9 lbs (400 grams).
- Bobwhite Quail
There are 22 subspecies of Bobwhites. The Bobwhite quail is almost the inverse of the Coturnix quail. Bobwhite quails grow slowly, reaching maturity around 3 to 5 months after hatching.
The Northern Bobwhite is the most popular and widespread in North America and it can reach a maximum of 0.55 lbs (250 grams). The Jumbo Bobwhite can reach even 0.87 lbs (400 grams).
While you would need to wait a while before harvesting Bobwhite quails, they grow big enough to be a great meat choice.
- California Quail
The California quail is not just popular for its beautiful appearance but also serves as a great source of meat. Upon reaching adulthood, they stand at an impressive height of about 9.5 inches (25 cm) and can weigh up to 0.44 lbs (200 grams).
Raising California quail is also easy as they have a nice temperament. Combining this with their size, California quails are ideal for meat.
It is important to note that the species above also lay a good number of eggs yearly, making them great as dual-purpose birds.
Diet
What you feed your quails is also very important, since it can affect whether they reach their full potential in terms of size.
From when a quail is hatched, it should be fed with an appropriate starter diet. Quail starter diets should contain 23 to 30% protein, as this is necessary for them to grow properly and gain weight as fast as possible.
Once quails are between 6 to 8 weeks old, they should be switched to a finisher diet. Finisher diets have 19 to 20% protein and should be maintained till the quails are harvested if you are raising them for meat.
Sometimes, regardless of how well you feed your quails, you might need to give them additional supplements to boost their growth. Feeding them grit aids digestion, and other additives like wheat groats, seeds, vegetables, plants, and seeds can improve their meat quality.
Enclosure
The size of a quail enclosure is also vital and should be determined by the purpose that you’re raising them for. When raising quails for meat, the enclosure should not be larger than 2 square feet per quail since by limiting movement they gain weight faster.
For the same reason, it is a good idea, though it sounds harsh at first, to keep them in dark. This is another way to limit their movement and quicken their gaining weight.
What Parts Of Quail Can You Eat?
Quails are very edible in the sense that they taste great and most of their parts can be eaten. Apart from the main meat, the bones and most of the internal organs are edible.
Meat
Quail meat is popular because of how tender it is and how nice it tastes. There is a high concentration of nutrients in quail meat, making it have a concentrated flavor. For this reason, quail meat often gets included in a lot of special cuisines.
Bones
The bones of quails are soft compared to many other poultry birds, meaning they can be chewed easily. Most people prefer to eat quail bones along with meat since the bones also taste good.
In addition, the bones of quails are quite small and soft. It would be annoying to remove a part of the food that tastes good anyways so you can just eat it.
Internal Organs
Also called offal, the internal organs of quails are edible. Quail gizzard, heart, and liver are used to make special delicacies. The intestines are also edibles but might be too stressful to clean.
The main internal organs that should be strictly avoided are the gall bladder, the crop, and the reproductive parts.
How Much Does A Pound Of Quail Meat Cost?
The cost of a pound of quail meat depends on the availability of quail meat in your location. Some people can sell quails as cheap as $5 per pound, while more pricey areas can get up to $20 for a pound.
If you are raising quails for meat, you might either want to consume the meat yourself or sell it. As with any product, knowing how much you can sell quail meat for is very vital so you can plan appropriately.
Quail meat is known for its rich taste and flavor, and you can make a lot of money selling quail meat once you find the right customers.
Unfortunately, there is no fixed price as to how much quail meat costs. In areas where there are a lot of quail farmers, the high level of competition will lower the general price of quail meat, and a pound can be sold for as low as $5.
Conversely, in towns where there are little to no quail farms, the lack of availability will make quail meat expensive, and you can sell it for as much as $20 per pound.
The price range mentioned above is for quails that have been slaughtered and de-feathered, making it easy for you to get their exact body weight. Some farmers sell live quails instead of dressed ones.
When selling quail meat, you can sell it directly to final customers or package it properly and sell it to supermarkets. Another great way to monetize quail meat is to sell it online.
Also, some people that live far from quail farms will happily order quail meat online if it can be delivered to their doorstep with a delivery service.
How Does Quail Meat Compare With Chicken Meat?
Chickens are undoubtedly the most popular poultry birds, and their eggs and meat are very common. Alongside turkeys, geese, ducks, and guinea fowls, quails fall behind chickens in popularity.
Here is a comparison between quail and chicken meat.
Price
In terms of cost, quails are more expensive than chickens. On average, a whole, raw chicken often costs between $1.5 and $3 for a pound. Quails, on the other hand, range between $5 and $20 per pound.
So, if finances are your priority, it is a lot more lucrative to sell quail meat than chicken meat.
Quantity
Chickens are a lot larger than quails, reaching more than 10 times the size of quails. Quails are about 0.31 lbs (140 grams) on average and chickens are usually around 4.4 pounds (2000 grams).
Quality
Quail meat is far ahead of chickens when it comes to quality. First, quail meat tastes better than chicken, having a deeper, richer taste, and a tender texture.
The nutritional value of quail meat also exceeds that of chicken. Quail meat has higher levels of protein, vitamins, and minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Quail Meat Healthy?
Quail meat is healthy because it contains a lot of nutrients that promote good health. The constituents of quail meat include zinc, protein, and calcium. Overall, quail meat can help enhance bone strength, boost skin health, and increase eye vision.
Quail meat is sometimes recommended for patients with respiratory problems, diabetes, and anemia. Quail meat also has low levels of cholesterol, making it perfect for people trying to lose weight.
Is Quail Meat Red Or White Meat?
Generally, poultry meat is considered to be white meat, and quails also fall under this category. They provide the same health benefits that all white meats do, such as low cholesterol levels. People often think that quail meat is red meat because it has a red color, but this is not the case.
Can You Really Eat The Bones Of Quail?
Quails are some of the smallest poultry birds, and their size is one of the reasons that their bones can be eaten. Apart from the fact that their meat is more tender than that of most other birds, their bones are also softer.
The softness of their bones is sufficient for us to chew on their bones without any issues. Because of how small quails are, removing the bones is often inconvenient.