Quail fit in a corner of the garden, lay from about six weeks old and are quieter than hens. Here's how to house them, hatch them and keep them laying.
6–8 weeksFrom hatching to first egg for Coturnix quail.
250–300Eggs a year from one good laying hen.
17–18 daysIncubation, from setting the eggs to hatch day.
0.2 m²The floor space we'd give each bird in a hutch.
Start here
Ground birds with a startle reflex
Quail live on the ground. They run, scratch, dust-bathe and hide under cover. When something frightens them, they shoot straight upwards, which is why the most important feature of a quail hutch is one most hutches don't have: a low roof or a soft netting ceiling.
Get the hutch right, keep it predator-proof and dry, and quail are among the easiest birds to keep.
Yes. Since 1 October 2024, everyone who keeps poultry in England and Wales must register with APHA, however few birds they have, and quail count. Scotland has its own Kept Bird Register.
How many eggs do quail lay?
A Coturnix (Japanese) quail hen can lay 250–300 eggs a year, starting at about 6–8 weeks old. Laying drops in winter as the days get shorter.
Are quail noisy?
Hens make soft chirps. Males have a short, repeated call, quieter than a cockerel's crow but persistent. Keep hens only if neighbours are close.
How much space do quail need?
The common minimum is about 0.1 m² (1 sq ft) per bird. We'd give a garden hutch at least double that. Try the hutch planner.
How long do quail eggs take to hatch?
Coturnix eggs hatch in 17–18 days. Stop turning at the start of day 15. Our hatch calendar gives you every date.
