Keeping quail: a beginner's guide

Everything to know before you keep quail in the UK: which breed, how many, APHA registration, housing, feeding, eggs, noise and day-to-day care.

Which quail?

For eggs, Coturnix (Japanese) quail. They're hardy, mature fast and lay almost daily. Colour varieties (Italian, Tibetan, English white and others) are all Coturnix and kept the same way. Larger "jumbo" lines are often kept for meat. Button (king) quail are a different, smaller species kept as aviary pets, not for eggs.

The legal bit: register with APHA

Since 1 October 2024, everyone in England and Wales who keeps poultry must register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, whatever the size of the flock. Quail are included. Register within a month of getting your birds. It's free and done online on GOV.UK. Scotland has its own Kept Bird Register.

Registration means APHA can tell you about bird flu outbreaks and housing orders near you.

How many?

Quail are social. Start with at least 4–6. Hens only is simplest: no fertile eggs, no male calls, no over-mating. If you want to hatch, keep one male with at least 4–5 hens, and never two males in a small hutch.

A normal week

• Daily: fresh water, top up food, collect eggs, quick health check.
• Weekly: change wet or dirty litter, refresh the dust bath, scrub the drinker.
• Monthly: full clean-out, check for red mite in crevices.

Noise and neighbours

Hens chirp softly. Males have a short, repeated call that carries, especially in spring. It's much quieter than a cockerel, but if neighbours are close, keep hens only.

Health

Healthy quail are alert, round, with smooth feathers and bright eyes. Watch for fluffed-up birds sitting alone, bald patches (often from a male or crowding), sneezing or bubbles at the eyes. Find a vet who sees poultry before you need one.

Quick answers

Checked November 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.