Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nick,

My understanding is that Stubble Quail are native to Australia.

The two sub-species are close enough to breed.

I know that when I bred quail commercially, about 25 years ago, there was concern that accidental or deliberate release of Japanese Quail would dilute Stubble Quail bloodlines.

Most quail in Asia are bred in very intensive systems - usually tiered cages up to 7 or 8 pens high.....but I'm sure that putting them over the top of a fish tank (or pond) is also practiced......simply because ducks and chickens are reared in similar situations.

I haven't tried it yet......and it would only be viable in a system with a reasonably large tank because otherwise the tank would turn into a stinking mess in no time.

My preference, and a system that we're almost ready to realise, would be for a rotation that started off with plants in coco peat.....which are fed (obviously) on nutrients from the fish tank.

Once the plants had been harvested, the coco peat would be used as deep litter for the quail who would eat any plant residues while fertilising the coco peat. I think that deep litter pens are a bit kinder to the birds than living on mesh.

The quail would also eat silver beet and other vegetables....and would provide meat and eggs in return. Chickens (particularly bantams) also fit into this integration well.

The coco peat would then be used as worm bedding/feed.

The worms would be fed to the fish and the vermicast would be used to enrich brew up worm tea......with which I want to improve our land.

The only thing that's missing from this little aquaponic "perpetual motion machine" is meat rabbits......largely because of the narrow thinking of Queensland bureaucrats who have made it more expensive to breed rabbits than it is to commit a whole raft of real crimes.

Gary

Jamie,

Japanese Quail eat a high protein (25 - 30%) diet.

In the past, we've used commercial rations. If we've been unable to buy a game bird ration, we've used Turkey Starter instead.

My long term goal is to develop a homemade ration for all of our livestock. Worms (or some other animal protein), duckweed and some sort of grain product.......perhaps stale bread or sprouted grain.

Gary

gary,
Yeah the wire is definately a harsh way to do it but you do get higher production and cleaner eggs in an easier to harvest presentation.

Having said that I do agree that the cage systems are harsh and cruel and I have personally had very peaceful times watching my quail kick around in their outside dirt pen looking for goodies.

Have you ever looked into the exotic large quail like the bobwhite specifically, but also the californian or evan going to more a bantam size the chukar partidge. I guess you have most likely stayed with the Jap quail is because of their production and maturing rates.

I like the idea of your intergrated system and think that you could also include a compost heap in their somewhere but I guess if your quail are on deep litter and you only change that as regularly as you cahnge out the plants than you will not have the excess at that stage.

All in all a very good idea. Will have to come for a visit again when the quail are all up and running.

Nick,

When we first started breeding quail in the mid 70's, we used lots of mesh cages.....because they were cheap to build and, as you've pointed out, they enabled us to collect clean eggs quickly.

We stick to Japanese Quail because are easier to breed and mature much quicker than the other Quail species you mentioned.

Bantams are an undervalued option for backyard food producers. Egg layers like Leghorns, Minorcas, Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons and Barred Plymouth Rocks can be really productive little birds if you get the right strain.......and Light Sussex, White Rocks or an Indian Game cross make a great little table bird.

On the issue of compost heaps......I prefer compost bins, largely because I'm too lazy to turn compost heaps.

Where it's possible, I prefer to compost plant residues through the guts of a chicken.....or worms. That way, you get meat, eggs, worms and castings instead of just compost and a sore back.

Nick, you're welcome to visit when we crank upthe quail operation again.

Gary