Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[tortoise]

How do you cook such a small bird? I have been interested in quail since you've talked about them. I have rabbit cages sitting empty. They're like 2x3 feet and 16" tall. I recall you mentioning their enclosure needs to be very short so they don't boop themselves on the head. Do you think they would do well on wire floor?

 

[Chic Rustler]

How do you cook such a small bird? I have been interested in quail since you've talked about them. I have rabbit cages sitting empty. They're like 2x3 feet and 16" tall. I recall you mentioning their enclosure needs to be very short so they don't boop themselves on the head. Do you think they would do well on wire floor?

yeah! I have 5 empty cages as well!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I think lockdown could be at day 15 really... they're so small and quick that everything is pushed forward a bit.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I generally wrap them in bacon, sometimes put a jalapeno in the cavity because DH loves hot stuff. I've marinated them in savory and sweet sauces. Really you can cook them just like you do any poultry recipe - but faster!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oh, and I should mention that I can butcher a quail in less than five minutes. It's off with their head, feet and the wing tips. Use your finger to separate the skin from the meat and peel the skin off. One finger can eviscerate them. We generally fry up the livers, hearts and gizzards the same day we butcher. Tasty! I've heard that some people pluck them - no need for dunking I'm told. We skin 'em and do the bacon wrap to keep the breast moist.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I ended up with 9 quail chicks. They are so cute!
View attachment 13066

 

[tortoise]

What species of quail do you have?

 

[Mini Horses]

Nine -- well that's better than you expected, right? One is yellow? What's up with that?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

There are several subspecies and colors within the Coturnix quail. The white ones are often from a strain called "Texas A & M whites." (or something like that) Don't anybody tell my University of Texas alumni husband, lol. A & M and UT have a long standing rivalry. Mostly in good fun....mostly!

Yes, not a bad hatch considering I think I only had about 12 or 13 eegs that I thought were fertile.

I'm in the process of ordering 100 hatching eggs right now. Yikes! Hopefully I'll get a decent hatch starting with that many eggs! It'll cost about $50 for the eggs and shipping. Considering that I paid $50 for the 10 birds I purchased this might be a good deal. The caveat - shipped eggs.
I don't really want 100 chicks though. My luck if I didn't want 'em - that's what I'd get. I guess in that case I'd need to see how well chicks sell!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What species of quail do you have?

I have Coturnix. I've heard them called other more 'common' names like Japanese and Pharaoh. I'd like to branch out into some of the other colors eventually - but only because I like eye candy. I don't think there's a huge difference in the productivity between the colors. Also, I plan on doing selective breeding and try to only breed the largest to the largest just for those few extra ounces of meat.