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Japanese quail (Coturnix) farming in India Photo: placeholder pending image-fill pass

Japanese quail (Coturnix) farming in India

Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is a small, fast-growing galliform reared in India for both meat and table eggs. Commercial quail farming was popularised in the country by ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute (ICAR-CARI), Izatnagar, which standardised CARI Ujjwal, CARI Uttam, CARI Pearl, CARI Sweta and other improved quail lines for Indian conditions. Quail offers a short production cycle and low feed and floor-space requirements compared with chicken broiler (Broiler Chicken) and layer (Layer Chicken Bv 380) systems.

Origin and distribution

The species is domesticated from the East Asian C. c. japonica and was introduced into India for laboratory and table use in the mid-twentieth century. ICAR-CARI maintains pure lines and supplies hatching eggs and parent stock; commercial production is concentrated around Namakkal (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad, Bengaluru and parts of Maharashtra and Kerala.

Morphology

Quail are small game birds with mottled brown plumage; adult body weight is 180-220 g for males and 200-280 g for females, depending on the strain. CARI Ujjwal is a layer-type line with light grey plumage; CARI Uttam and CARI Pearl are heavier meat-type lines. The bird matures sexually at 6-7 weeks of age, far earlier than chicken.

Performance

Meat-type quail reach a market live weight of 180-220 g in 5-6 weeks on a balanced ration with a feed conversion ratio of about 2.5-2.7. Layer quail start laying at 6-7 weeks of age, peak at 8-9 weeks and lay 260-300 eggs in a 12-month cycle. Each quail egg weighs 10-12 g and has a characteristic spotted shell. Egg production is dominated by table use and pickling; quail meat is sold dressed in urban specialty channels at a premium over broiler.

Management

Quail are reared in deep litter (Deep Litter System) or in tiered wire cages at high stocking density (about 250 cm² per bird in cages). Brooding (Brooding Chicks) is done at 35 degC for the first week, stepped down to room temperature by 3-4 weeks. Feed is a high-protein quail starter (24-26% CP) followed by a layer or finisher ration; many small units use self-mixed feed (Self Mixed Poultry Feed). Vaccination against Newcastle disease (Ranikhet Newcastle Disease) and good cage hygiene are essential because the high stocking density and short cycle leave little margin for an outbreak. Spent quail are sold for meat at the end of the laying cycle.

See also: Muscovy Duck Tropical, Khaki Campbell Duck, Country Chicken Nattu Kodi, Ec Poultry Shed.

References

  1. Quail farming — Improved CARI quail varieties. ICAR-Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar.
  2. Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). vikaspedia agriculture portal.