Benefits of raising quails for meat and eggs

Some few years ago, only hunters and upscale diners ate quail, however today, things have changed as increasing number of folks raise quails for both their meat and eggs. In raising quails, you do not need much space and they are less noisy than turkey and chickens which makes them a better addition to our backyards for those living in urban areas and or rural barnyards.

Interestingly, many wonderful homesteaders here in Steemit have written beautiful blog posts about quails like  @anca3drandom some months ago shared in STEEMIT CULINARY CHALLENGE #4 a recipe using Quail eggs to prepare a wonderful dish of which great steemians like @meesterboom , @rappiro , @merej99 , @vampiretta all attested to in their comments and she came second best as confirmed by @englishtchrivy, see post here   

Another steemian @farmstead post on completing their Quail pen... see post here and also first quail eggs titled Eggciting see post here  More so, @lifemovedbysteem post on "welcoming quail into my homestead" see post here -and few days ago @lifemovedbysteem also posted on "The Quail Have Revolted! The Great Quail Break!" a beautiful narratives where her cute little quails Gambit and Eggzilla tried to lead a revolt against her intruding habits ... she later found out about the new quail eggs... see here Many others like our one and only @papa-pepper and @brimwoodfarm also wrote about their quails experiences.  My question is why do we have to see so many steemian homesteaders interested in this cute looking little but unique creature? Hmm... Maybe they are aware of what many of us are yet to find out about these unique birds. Guess what... let us find out now!

Some reasons to Start Raising Quail

Although quails are not as popular as chickens, however, their advantages to both rural and urban farms cannot be ignored. It is easy to raise quails and they do not take much space and resources since they are less than half the size of chickens

Below are some few reasons quail are a perfect addition to every homestead, either in urban and or rural areas.

      Quail do not take up much room: One square foot per bird is what quail needs as raising quails this way ensures they are less prone to behavioral issues leading to happier lives. Quails unlike chicken do not perch, instead they prefer to lay on the ground. More so they do not nest like chicken as they can lay their eggs wherever it suits them. Ensure they do not live in or lay their eggs in their own manure.  keep this in mind when raising quails at home especially when constructing or purchasing a hutch for your quails. 

   Coturnix quail mature in 6 – 8 weeks: There are similarities in breeding quails and chickens except quail eggs only take 17 days to incubate and unlike chickens which can take 7 months wait period, Coturnix quails mature and start laying eggs in about 6 to 8 weeks.

   Quail are hardy birds: Quails are hardy creatures that do not frequently get sick although they are not invincible. Ensure their environment is kept clean from manure and not crowded into a hutch which is too small, quails are known to have little health issues. Endeavor to regularly clean their waters and feeders and scrub out any manure from their hutch to avoid issues related to Quail disease and coccidiosis which are known to be transported by manure. Make sure you keep them out of the elements to avoid them being too cold or too hot.

   For urban farms that cannot raise chickens, Quail are perfect: One of the main advantages to raising quails for their eggs for those living in urban areas is that cities and towns which does not permit chickens might have exception for quails as quails do not crow, instead their calls are quiet chirps and coos that dosent give them away and also very less likely to annoy your neighbor much like a 4:00-5:00 am rooster wake up call!

  Similar to Chickens, Quails lay eggs everyday: Be ready for Quails eggs if you decide to keep quails in your farm. Quails eggs can be used in making different recipes and eaten just like the way you enjoy your chicken eggs. Coturnix quails can lay daily just like chickens. Their eggs are spotted and speckled and considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Since quails eggs are much smaller in size than chicken eggs, you will need more of them like 3 or 4 quail eggs as compared to one chicken egg.

Furthermore, researchers in Britain suggested that quails eggs should be pronounced a super food as the eggs has a very positive impact on our health which includes fighting obesity. For nutritionists, using quail eggs as food is very good as it is one of the richest in essential ingredients and it is advised that we consume at least 2 quail eggs a day.  

The eggs of quails are highly valuable to the human body and mostly prescribed by nutritionists for diet, to feed children and for the prevention and cure of many diseases. Quails are usually not affected with salmonellosis and other infectious diseases which chicken is often exposed to as such very safe to consume with less worries.

Compared to chickens, the quail eggs are much smaller in size but they contain 

13% protein per egg as compared to chicken eggs with 11%

Contains twice more vitamin A and B2

contains 3 times more Vitamin B1

5 times more potassium and iron than chicken eggs. 

Quail eggs are also high in amino acids, protein, sulfur, phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, Vitamins A,B complex, D, plus other essential nutrients.

The eggs from quails also has far more calcium and phosphorus than chicken eggs and can be eaten either boiled, scrambled or however you like although some said its best to eat it raw without fear of contracting salmonellosis because quails has higher body temperature as compared to chickens, therefore it is impossible for the Salmonella germ to thrive in quails eggs. The eggs of quail are also resistant to other germs which causes allergies and diathesis as they contain more lysozyme that is active in destroying bacteria.

Some benefits of quail eggs

For centuries Quail eggs has been known in Asia for their health benefits, however they have been accessible only to the emperors and their close courtiers. In Traditional Chinese Medicine,  quails eggs has been used in treating so many health issues which includes asthma and hay fever. They are known to boost the immune system, promote growth, fight off bad cholesterol, stimulate brain function, strengthen nervous system, sexual potency, cure digestive problems, sooth conditions related to inflammation, purify blood from heavy metals and excess toxins, alleviate liver and kidney issues, prevent cancer and many more.

Other known benefits are

Quail eggs can improve the hemoglobin, cures anemia

Eating quail eggs regularly can assist the body to remove gall bladder stones, 

Quail eggs can strengthen the heart muscles and help the process of recuperation after a stroke, as it can be a natural alternative to conventional treatment in weak heart condition.

Quail eggs consumption can help improve general immunity of the body and slow down the aging process

Quail eggs can improve beauty by enhancing the quality of the skin and hair which is why components of the eggs from quails are used in skin and hair care masks and treatments.

The prostrate gland in men is nourished with phosphorus, protein and vitamins, quail eggs is rich in those items as such are a powerful stimulant and restores sexual potency in men

Quail eggs helps to tackle stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastritis.

Eating quail eggs can help tackle tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, diabetes and Vegetative-vascular dystonia

Consuming quail eggs on a regular basis can prevent and also enhance bone density and cures osteoporosis 

Quail eggs prevents and helps in issues related to allergies

Best method of eating quail eggs: To ensure you get the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals for the body to assimilate, go for raw quail eggs. Take in an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast,  and drink boiled water.

To get the best effect, take daily non stop for 3 months. If you cannot take the quail eggs raw, you can use the eggs in preparing many dishes of your choice by either frying, boiling or adding raw in purees, soups etc. It is important to note that cooking quail eggs for more than 15 minutes is not good as you may destroy all useful elements as contained in the eggs. 

For nutritionists, there are different rules for use of quail eggs based on age differences.

Children from 8 months to 3 years can consume 1 to 2 pieces of quail eggs in a day. 

Children from up to 10 years can consume 3 pieces a day

Teenagers from 11 years of age and 17 years can go for up to 4 pieces a day

For adults of up to 49 years can consume 5 to 6 pieces a day

For the older population, the daily consumption rate can be up to 4 quail eggs a day.

To boost the immune system and restore the bodies calcium deficiency you can eat both the quails eggs as well as the eggshells. 

Precautions

Quail eggs has a lot of benefits for the human body and can as well harm as such must be taken in moderation as moderate and proper use ensures it is totally safe. For those children under 8 months showing allergic reactions, should not be fed with quail eggs.

To avoid any negative effects of quail eggs consumption ensure you purchase the eggs from only reliable sources. When you are purchasing the eggs, ensure you pay attention to the date as quail eggs can be kept for up to 60 days. For feeding to children, ensure you use only the fresh ones.

Conclusion: Quails are easy to raise and takes less time and energy for them to mature enough to start laying eggs or ready for their tasty meat. In this article we learnt that Quail eggs is very nutritious, tasty and beneficial to the human body both young and old and can be used to cure many illnesses as used in Asia especially in Chinese medicine. It is very safe unlike chickens that usually has issues with salmonella but in this case, quail eggs are not only safe but richer in nutrients. We are also advised to take in moderation and ensure we buy our own eggs from reliable sources or better raise our own quails in our backyards.

Do good to someone by resteeming this vital tip, follow @kenhudoy for many more coming up and support with your upvotes. Do send in your comments and or experiences in raising quails and or enjoying their eggs or meat.

Do also check out my previous blog posts

Benefits of having your own Aquaponic garden at home

Using Dirty Fish Tank or Aquarium water to fertilize your plants

Sources:

https://hubpages.com/health/buying-fresh-immune-booster-quail-eggs-online-for-health-

http://beautymunsta.com/quail-eggs-health-benefits-uses-for-health-beauty-more/

http://www.benefitandharm.com/products/161-the-benefits-and-harms-of-quail-eggs.html

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/quail-eggs-a-super-healing-food/

http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily/poultry/poultry-poultry/raising-quail-means-small-farm-success/

https://www.farmanddairy.com/top-stories/raise-quail-for-meat-and-eggs/367812.html

Image sources: Google & @anca3drandom post as cited in @englishtchrivy  submission