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In my recent talk with Ken Berry about home meat/egg production the subject of quail came up.  It may be the easiest and fastest way into production for the largest number of people.  Eggs hatch in 18 days, young meat birds are ready for harvest in 6 weeks, new layers start laying in 7 weeks.  You can breed your own replacements.  It can all be done in a back yard or even a garage.  Today we talk about how to maximize this highly over looked aspect of home meat production.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

• Why the quail for meat and eggs
  • Fast growth
  • Easy to reproduce in house
  • Fast to egg production and meat production
  • Process a bird in less than 60 seconds
• Food value of production
  • 3-4 quail eggs equal about one chicken egg – link 1 –  link 2
  • One adult will find 2 quail make a good meal, perhaps 3 without filling sides
  • Livers are a good source of fat, I like them and don’t typically like liver
  • Cook in lard/bacon etc. to increase fat
  • Egg yolks are as fatty as chicken yolks
  • Use an egg cutter on eggs or you hate yourself – 2 pack of cutters – 12 pack of cutters
    • Some Stuff I have Done with Quail Beyond Typical
      • Heart and  jalapeño mini skewers – link
      • Quail Soup – link
      • Sweet and Spicy Asian Leg Quarter – link
• The basics of using a stacked cage system
  • Breeding cages are generally 1 male to four females at a 2×2 sized cage (some go smaller, I don’t)
  • Grow out cages can be much more dense, if a bird gets picked on move or cull early
  • Birds need feed, water and grit, especially layers need lots of grit & dust baths (play sand is fine)
  • Thoughts on oyster shell for calcium/grit
  • Laying birds did fine for me on lower protein layer feed, growing birds need game bird feed
• Thoughts on systems outside the “stack” – My Six Cage Stack System
  • Stacks in a way are CAFO operations, you really have to manage them well to not be abusive
  • The “quail tracker” was a great idea with shipping limits, build something similar – link
  • Quail aviaries may be the best way to go if you have the space, time and materials
  • Ignore the bullshit myths about flying, breaking necks, etc.  They are tougher than you think.
  • Also consider an “in between” model
    • Layers in a stack system
    • Babies in a brooder system
    • Young grow outs do 3-4 weeks in a tractor
    • Adult culls get the same 3-4 weeks prior to harvest
    • Indoor birds are protected, outdoor labor is seasonal under your control
• Dealing with the waste stream, more of it then you’d think – Amount from 6 Cages
  • Standard composting
  • Worm bin composting
  • Set and forget piles
• Some ways to boost protein
  • Worm farm, hell yes they will eat worms
  • Raise your own meal works or BSF
  • Buy BSF or Mealworms dry as a reserve BSF on Amazon – Meal Worms on Amazon
• Final Thoughts

Resources for today’s show…

• Join the Members Brigade
• TspAz.com
• TSPC on Discord
• TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
• TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
• Jack on Flote
• Jack on MeWe
• Join Me on Odysee
• Over Three Hours of Q&A on Quail with Timestamps to Jump to Answers (manually)
• Small Hog Ring Plier Set – Like we shipped with the quail tracker
• Overview of the Quail Tracker Video from this Episode
• All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources

Sponsor of the Day

• Knife Kits
• Bulk Ammo

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

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