Thursday, May 31, 2007
Raising Quail to Sell.
If you are getting into raising quail to sell, you will have to come up with a good marketing plan. You can have the best managed, cleanest farm and best quality Quail on the planet. Guess what? That all means absolutely nothing if you are the only person who knows. This is the reason you need a good solid marketing plan in place.
In any type of business you need a budget for marketing. Usually when starting a raising Quail business, your marketing budget will be very limited. So your marketing will probably require some leg work and phone calls. If your budget allows hiring professionals, that would obviously be the best way to go. You want your ads to always look professional.
You can advertise in newspapers, game bird magazines and if you or someone in your family has any computer skills. You can create a quality looking ad and print some ads out on quality stock and post them around your local area stores. Just remember the more people that know about you, the better your chances are of selling.
I think that if you can advertise in game bird magazines you probably would have a better chance of selling. People that subscribe to these type of magazines are more likely to be potential customers. They are already interested in game birds or they wouldn't have a subscription. This is what you are looking for when marketing your Quail.
These are the things you have to keep in mind when trying to sell your Quail. This is a very narrow market, but it is growing all the time. You need to find the best and most likely places that your potential customers are. Once you figure this out, then you present them with a great product. Then you have a win, win situation.
Give your marketing plan a lot of thought and do research to find the best way and the best places to advertise your Quail. You could have an unlimited budget for marketing, but if you spent it in a way that you are advertising where there is no interest. You will be wasting every cent.
Be smart, think and make your Quail raising venture a profitable one.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In any type of business you need a budget for marketing. Usually when starting a raising Quail business, your marketing budget will be very limited. So your marketing will probably require some leg work and phone calls. If your budget allows hiring professionals, that would obviously be the best way to go. You want your ads to always look professional.
You can advertise in newspapers, game bird magazines and if you or someone in your family has any computer skills. You can create a quality looking ad and print some ads out on quality stock and post them around your local area stores. Just remember the more people that know about you, the better your chances are of selling.
I think that if you can advertise in game bird magazines you probably would have a better chance of selling. People that subscribe to these type of magazines are more likely to be potential customers. They are already interested in game birds or they wouldn't have a subscription. This is what you are looking for when marketing your Quail.
These are the things you have to keep in mind when trying to sell your Quail. This is a very narrow market, but it is growing all the time. You need to find the best and most likely places that your potential customers are. Once you figure this out, then you present them with a great product. Then you have a win, win situation.
Give your marketing plan a lot of thought and do research to find the best way and the best places to advertise your Quail. You could have an unlimited budget for marketing, but if you spent it in a way that you are advertising where there is no interest. You will be wasting every cent.
Be smart, think and make your Quail raising venture a profitable one.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Friday, May 25, 2007
Raising Quail, Hobby or Business?
Raising quail is inexpensive, easy, provides very healthy low-fat white meat, and supplies the fertilizer you need for your garden. The moderate start-up costs for raising quail are well worth it. If you are considering going into the business of raising quail or you are already in the business, you have one major objective, to make a profit. For people who want to take their raising quail hobby to the next level of producing and marketing large numbers as a business, there is a huge market for them out there right now. The cost of feed and supplies is minimal considering all the meat and eggs you get for your efforts.
Raising Quail however does require more than just feed and equipment. It also requires a commitment by you, to keep a clean and healthy environment. When raising quail, disease is your biggest enemy. Studies in this area have found that 80% of all quail mortality could have been prevented with proper management.
Beginners should start with the Coturnix quail. The Japanese or Coturnix quail are the fastest growing and reproducing birds. They are also the best specie of quail to raise for meat and eggs. These quail possess a remarkable resistance to disease, start laying at six weeks of age, and can be consumed at four to five weeks of age. Coturnix and many other types of quail and their eggs are marketed the year round by game bird farms all over the world. Maintaining the same number of hours under lights will keep your Coturnix quail laying eggs throughout the year.
Note that Coturnix quail kept outdoors will not lay past autumn so if you want eggs year round, they must be kept indoors. Under the right conditions, each female bird will lay about 300 eggs each year. Quail eggs are also a delicious delicacy served in many professional kitchens. It takes about three Coturnix quail eggs to equal one small chicken egg. Many producers contract a year or two ahead for the sale of their birds or eggs.
When starting any type of business, your goals are to keep overhead as low as possible and get a quick turn around on your investment. Raising the Coturnix quail in my opinion is the best way to accomplish this and start your quail raising business.
Raising quail requires an investment in equipment and time. If you succeed in raising quail what will you do with them?
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Raising Quail however does require more than just feed and equipment. It also requires a commitment by you, to keep a clean and healthy environment. When raising quail, disease is your biggest enemy. Studies in this area have found that 80% of all quail mortality could have been prevented with proper management.
Beginners should start with the Coturnix quail. The Japanese or Coturnix quail are the fastest growing and reproducing birds. They are also the best specie of quail to raise for meat and eggs. These quail possess a remarkable resistance to disease, start laying at six weeks of age, and can be consumed at four to five weeks of age. Coturnix and many other types of quail and their eggs are marketed the year round by game bird farms all over the world. Maintaining the same number of hours under lights will keep your Coturnix quail laying eggs throughout the year.
Note that Coturnix quail kept outdoors will not lay past autumn so if you want eggs year round, they must be kept indoors. Under the right conditions, each female bird will lay about 300 eggs each year. Quail eggs are also a delicious delicacy served in many professional kitchens. It takes about three Coturnix quail eggs to equal one small chicken egg. Many producers contract a year or two ahead for the sale of their birds or eggs.
When starting any type of business, your goals are to keep overhead as low as possible and get a quick turn around on your investment. Raising the Coturnix quail in my opinion is the best way to accomplish this and start your quail raising business.
Raising quail requires an investment in equipment and time. If you succeed in raising quail what will you do with them?
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Raising Quail and Brooding
When raising quail and incubating eggs or purchasing chicks. You will have to learn proper brooding techniques. There are many different methods used for the brooding stage. You can purchase a self contained brooder with feeding trays and watering devices incorporated into them. You can also make your own brooding device.
The whole idea of brooding, is to provide your new chicks with enough heat, water, food and ventilation. The ventilation should be provided without any drafts. The temperature for your new chicks should be kept at around 100 degrees, one inch above the floor for the first week. It should then be dropped by 5 degrees each following week until down to 70 degrees. Depending on the breed of quail you are raising, your chicks should be fully feathered out at this time.
You will also have to make sure your quail chicks have enough room. It is recommended, 3 chicks per square ft. the first 10 days and 1 chick per square ft. from 10 days on. I highly doubt that any quail breeder's follow this recommendation but overcrowding can cause a lot of problems when raising quail.
During the brooding period, quail chicks are very prone to picking. It has been found that using colored lighting, such as red or blue will help in preventing this. Some breeders say just to give them enough light to find their food and water.
Be sure to provide enough feed and watering devices spread around in your brooding area. You will also want to make sure the brooding area does not have a slippery surface. The chicks legs are very fragile and any slipping can cause straddle leg. This would result in culling the chicks.
Before you start raising quail be sure to have picked out the proper brooding technique that will work for your situation.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The whole idea of brooding, is to provide your new chicks with enough heat, water, food and ventilation. The ventilation should be provided without any drafts. The temperature for your new chicks should be kept at around 100 degrees, one inch above the floor for the first week. It should then be dropped by 5 degrees each following week until down to 70 degrees. Depending on the breed of quail you are raising, your chicks should be fully feathered out at this time.
You will also have to make sure your quail chicks have enough room. It is recommended, 3 chicks per square ft. the first 10 days and 1 chick per square ft. from 10 days on. I highly doubt that any quail breeder's follow this recommendation but overcrowding can cause a lot of problems when raising quail.
During the brooding period, quail chicks are very prone to picking. It has been found that using colored lighting, such as red or blue will help in preventing this. Some breeders say just to give them enough light to find their food and water.
Be sure to provide enough feed and watering devices spread around in your brooding area. You will also want to make sure the brooding area does not have a slippery surface. The chicks legs are very fragile and any slipping can cause straddle leg. This would result in culling the chicks.
Before you start raising quail be sure to have picked out the proper brooding technique that will work for your situation.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Quail Disease and Medication
Gamebird Medication
What medication do you use to keep gamebirds alive
that are on the ground (especially quail)?
ANSWER: Many years ago I discovered a drug for my
birds(quail) which saved my bacon. A killer of
gamebirds that are raised on the ground is "enteritis"
which can wipe out birds that appear healthy on the
surface. I lost many birds before I discovered Solu-
Tracin which is a medication just for this specific
problem and other secondary infections that affect
quail-type birds. When birds get under stressful
conditions, they succumb to this and other disease that
is lurking there all the time but the bird's immuring
system controls. I found that a sudden change in the
weather would trigger this problem. Shipping birds
also caused it. The bacteria that reproduces in the
intestine produces a toxin that makes the birds appear
drunk as they stagger around and then die. Other than
the staggers, they appear healthy. (But very dead).Put
this medication in the water of your birds for at least
five days. It takes that long to get into their systems.
Change the water every day as the medicated. water
get stale quickly. It takes only a little of the newer
stronger version (I started out on Solu-tracin 50; the
new medicine comes in "200"strength) which is 4
times stronger than the older version. Put 1/8
teaspoonful in a gallon of water for prevention and 1/4
teaspoonful for treatment. In severe cases you can add
a little more of the powder. It is very bitter and the
birds do not like to drink it so do not OD as they may
not drink. Keep other sources of water away from them
or they will not drink the solution. This stuff really
works. When my birds were on the ground under
stressful conditions, I medicated them 5 days each
month.
Some are critical of this procedure but at least my birds
were alive and very healthy.
Several of the supply houses carry this medication.
You will probably not be able to find it locally. If you
need a source e-mail me and I will give you some
references.
----------------------------------
By Leland B. Hayes, Ph D., from lelandhayes.com
All rights reserved.
What medication do you use to keep gamebirds alive
that are on the ground (especially quail)?
ANSWER: Many years ago I discovered a drug for my
birds(quail) which saved my bacon. A killer of
gamebirds that are raised on the ground is "enteritis"
which can wipe out birds that appear healthy on the
surface. I lost many birds before I discovered Solu-
Tracin which is a medication just for this specific
problem and other secondary infections that affect
quail-type birds. When birds get under stressful
conditions, they succumb to this and other disease that
is lurking there all the time but the bird's immuring
system controls. I found that a sudden change in the
weather would trigger this problem. Shipping birds
also caused it. The bacteria that reproduces in the
intestine produces a toxin that makes the birds appear
drunk as they stagger around and then die. Other than
the staggers, they appear healthy. (But very dead).Put
this medication in the water of your birds for at least
five days. It takes that long to get into their systems.
Change the water every day as the medicated. water
get stale quickly. It takes only a little of the newer
stronger version (I started out on Solu-tracin 50; the
new medicine comes in "200"strength) which is 4
times stronger than the older version. Put 1/8
teaspoonful in a gallon of water for prevention and 1/4
teaspoonful for treatment. In severe cases you can add
a little more of the powder. It is very bitter and the
birds do not like to drink it so do not OD as they may
not drink. Keep other sources of water away from them
or they will not drink the solution. This stuff really
works. When my birds were on the ground under
stressful conditions, I medicated them 5 days each
month.
Some are critical of this procedure but at least my birds
were alive and very healthy.
Several of the supply houses carry this medication.
You will probably not be able to find it locally. If you
need a source e-mail me and I will give you some
references.
----------------------------------
By Leland B. Hayes, Ph D., from lelandhayes.com
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Raising Quail and Egg Incubation
When you choose breeding Quail as a hobby or a possible business. You will have to think about getting an incubator. When raising Quail in captivity, it is highly unlikely that they will hatch their on eggs. There are many different types and sizes of incubators being sold on the market today. With help from a game bird equipment supplier, you can pick the one that will best suit your needs.
I strongly recommend getting a fan forced air incubator for raising Quail. These type of incubators seem to hold a better universal temperature than the still air type. Though there are a lot of Quail breeders that still use the still air incubators with much success.
When incubating eggs, these are the main factors to keep in mind; temperature, humidity, turning and ventilation. They are all very important components to a good hatch rate. Some incubators come with pre-set temperature. This should be checked before use. Improper temperature can cause death of you quail before they reach hatch out. Humidity another major factor, should be maintained at the level required for the specie of Quail you are hatching. Improper humidity can also result in bad hatch rates or chick culling. Proper ventilation is required to help control humidity and provide oxygen to the eggs. Failure to turn eggs at timely intervals will cause the embryo to stick to the shell, resulting in death. This can be avoided by purchasing an automatic egg turner.
It is very critical to your raising Quail hobby to become familiar with your incubator after you purchase it. Read the manufacturer's instructions and test the instructions by turning on the incubator before your eggs arrive. Lear how to increase or decrease humidity. Depending on the incubator you purchase there could be air plugs or vent that open and close, learn what pulling an air plug will do or opening or closing vents does. I know you will be testing with an empty incubator and things will be different when the eggs are in it. But by doing all of the testing you will have an idea of what changes to make for adjusting humidity and temperature.
These things are very often overlooked, especially when starting out with raising Quail. Don't be one of those who purchase an incubator and eggs. Plug in the incubator with the eggs in place and wonder why they didn't hatch. Be prepared, informed and knowledgeable. Learn what is required of your equipment to properly raise quail. Then learn how to achieve what is required of your equipment by testing it.
This way when your eggs are ready to set, your incubator will be running with proper settings and ready to hatch your quail eggs. You also will be ready to make any proper adjustments needed.
When it comes to breeding quail. Knowledge Will Help Give Life and Proper Management Skills Will Help Keep Life.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I strongly recommend getting a fan forced air incubator for raising Quail. These type of incubators seem to hold a better universal temperature than the still air type. Though there are a lot of Quail breeders that still use the still air incubators with much success.
When incubating eggs, these are the main factors to keep in mind; temperature, humidity, turning and ventilation. They are all very important components to a good hatch rate. Some incubators come with pre-set temperature. This should be checked before use. Improper temperature can cause death of you quail before they reach hatch out. Humidity another major factor, should be maintained at the level required for the specie of Quail you are hatching. Improper humidity can also result in bad hatch rates or chick culling. Proper ventilation is required to help control humidity and provide oxygen to the eggs. Failure to turn eggs at timely intervals will cause the embryo to stick to the shell, resulting in death. This can be avoided by purchasing an automatic egg turner.
It is very critical to your raising Quail hobby to become familiar with your incubator after you purchase it. Read the manufacturer's instructions and test the instructions by turning on the incubator before your eggs arrive. Lear how to increase or decrease humidity. Depending on the incubator you purchase there could be air plugs or vent that open and close, learn what pulling an air plug will do or opening or closing vents does. I know you will be testing with an empty incubator and things will be different when the eggs are in it. But by doing all of the testing you will have an idea of what changes to make for adjusting humidity and temperature.
These things are very often overlooked, especially when starting out with raising Quail. Don't be one of those who purchase an incubator and eggs. Plug in the incubator with the eggs in place and wonder why they didn't hatch. Be prepared, informed and knowledgeable. Learn what is required of your equipment to properly raise quail. Then learn how to achieve what is required of your equipment by testing it.
This way when your eggs are ready to set, your incubator will be running with proper settings and ready to hatch your quail eggs. You also will be ready to make any proper adjustments needed.
When it comes to breeding quail. Knowledge Will Help Give Life and Proper Management Skills Will Help Keep Life.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
The Beginners Guide to Raising Quail
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
