QUAILS AND THE IMPACT IN THE POULTRY VALUE CHAIN.

Quails are easy to raise as they require little space and are easy to handle. The birds consume less feed but have high feed conversion ratio, with high laying intensity. The quail birds though small are money making machines, every part of them yields money. The birds can be raised for meat, table eggs, fertile eggs, their waste can be processed and sold as fertilizer, and the feathers can also be processed and used as ornaments. Let’s look at the various stages: the females start laying about 6weeks, Let’s assume you keep 300 birds, they will lay 300 eggs a day that is 10 crates a day. This egg laying intensity is to our advantage, as the bird’s consume 25g of feed/day. The birds can be processed at about 8 weeks; they can be smoked and packed for sale. HOUSING. Quails are raised in house or out in the yard.The cages can be wooden or made from iron. The floor is made of wire so that dropping are collected under the cages.The floor is slanted so that eggs are rolled to the front of the cages for easy collection. Feeding. The birds are given good quality feed and water is made available always.vitamins and minerals can be added to the water once a while,but this is of utmost value in hot weather.The birds can be given worms and some green as supplements to the feed.

10 COMMANDMENTS FOR POULTRY HEALTH.

1) Procure healthy birds from reputable hatcheries.


2)Enforce and ensure strict bio security protocol.


3)Attach your farm to  a veterinarian and adhere to professional advice


. 4)Be alert for signs of diseases and notify vet immediately.


 5)Restrict movement of animals,people and farm tools to farm premises.


 6)House birds in clean,properly ventilated and disinfected quarters.


 7)Follow a proper vaccination and medication programme.


 8) Give well balanced ration and water to birds.


 9) Dispose waste and dead birds properly.


10) Avoid indiscriminate use of antibiotics.