What I Discovered About Pet Quails After Hatching Them at Home
It all started with a YouTube video and a child who wanted to be Gerald Durrell. One moment we were saying “maybe” to hatching pet quail eggs, and the next we were sneaking an incubator into the loft. I wasn’t prepared for how much these little birds would take over our lives. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like, here’s what we learned, cracked eggs and all.
They Don’t All Hatch, but the Ones That Do Are Tiny Miracles
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Two eggs were already cracked when they were delivered. We didn’t expect much from the rest, but still set them in the incubator and hoped. For over two weeks, nothing happened. Then one morning, a tiny, damp, trembling creature tottered around the incubator like it had just landed from another planet.
We Watched One Hatch, and Time Just Stopped
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A few days after the first one arrived, we heard a faint tapping inside one of the eggs. We could listen to chirping from inside the shell. One sleepy chick flopped out while looking dazed, half-asleep, and covered in fluff.
We Were Not as Ready as We Thought
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We had the brooder, the heat plate, and the chick feed. But we hadn’t realized how quickly three quail chicks could turn a small box into an unspeakable mess. Our first mistake was using bedding. The chicks tried to eat it, and we had to change paper towels twice a day.
They Turn From Fluffy to Ferocious Fast
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One minute, they’re fluffy little puffballs. Two weeks later, they’ve got feathers and start stomping around like miniature dinosaurs. The cuteness fades surprisingly fast, replaced by this hilarious, slightly intense bird energy. They don’t stay babies long, so enjoy those fuzzy days while they last.
They Have Their Favorites
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My son swore one quail liked him best. She chirped every time he entered the loft. I rolled my eyes—until the day she climbed into his hoodie pocket and curled up. I stood corrected. It turns out that quails may not be cuddly, but they do pick their people.
You Don’t Need a Farm
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We raised ours in a loft in London, not exactly the countryside. Quails don’t need rolling fields—just a safe, enclosed space and some creativity. A repurposed hutch, a heat source, and daily check-ins were all it took.
We Tried Reggae—And It Worked
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The quails chased each other all afternoon like feathered missiles. Desperate, we remembered a tip: Quails calm down with reggae. We played Bob Marley, and within minutes, everyone relaxed. It might be nonsense science, but now our birds have a mellow playlist.
Quails Can Fly, but Not Gracefully
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We didn’t expect it—one flap and one quail flew straight up like toast from a toaster. He hit the brooder lid with a thump and flopped back down. There were no injuries, but plenty of squawking. After that, we added netting.
Eggs? Not Even One
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We waited for weeks and months. Nothing. No tiny speckled eggs in sight. Either all our birds are male, or they’re very private. Possibly both. But honestly, we stopped caring. We realized these birds meant more to us than breakfast.
They Love Playing in Trash
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For playtime, we started tossing odd bits into the pen—branches, flowerpots, even an old mug. The quails loved it. They hopped inside the mug like it was a tunnel. They hid behind twigs, and one kept perching in the food dish.
A Dust Bath Is Pure Joy
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Quails don’t want water; they want dust. They flop, roll, and kick dirt in all directions like tiny spa-goers. It’s oddly satisfying to watch. We learned quickly to keep the tray filled—or risk very annoyed birds pecking dramatically at an empty dish.
Even Quails Get Into Fights
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Two quails could be best buds—until suddenly, they’re chasing and pecking each other. We separated them with mesh until peace returned. We never figured out what triggered it, but now we know: even tiny birds with cute faces can hold grudges and need personal space.
They Sound Like Squeaky Toys
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I didn’t expect meeps, purrs, and high-pitched squeaks that sound like someone stepping on a rubber duck. They’re not loud, just… surprising. At night, we’d hear gentle, squeaky murmurs from the garden.
One Got Sick, and We Became a Tiny ER
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When one quail suddenly went quiet and refused food, the kids wrapped him in a towel and whispered to him like he was in intensive care. We tried heat, sugar water, and soft encouragement. Somehow, he pulled through.
We Didn’t Mean to Get Attached—But We Did
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The kids named them, watched them, and cared for them. These birds brought us closer together and slowed things down in the best way. We didn’t get eggs, but got connection, laughter, and stories we’ll tell for years.