Live Adult Coturnix Quail Arrival Instructions
Your adult Coturnix quail may arrive thirsty, hungry, and stressed from shipping. The first priority is hydration before feed.
For the first 6 to 12 hours, do not offer dry food. Dry hay, dried grain, scratch grain, cracked corn, or dry grain-based feed can worsen dehydration before the birds have had time to drink.
Immediately Upon Arrival
Move your quail into a clean, quiet, secure recovery area as soon as they arrive.
✅ Keep the area calm and low-stress.
✅ Protect birds from pets, predators, children, wind, drafts, rain, and damp conditions.
✅ Make sure the enclosure is escape-proof.
✅ Place water where birds can find it easily.
✅ Keep handling brief and gentle.
✅ Watch each bird for alertness, balance, breathing, and visible injury.
✅ Allow birds time to settle before making any major changes.
Adult Coturnix quail can be stressed by excessive handling after shipping. Keep the recovery environment quiet and simple.
First 6 to 12 Hours: Hydration Only
Give your quail free access to room-temperature water immediately.
Use poultry chick electrolytes if available.
If electrolytes are not available, mix:
✅ ½ teaspoon table salt
✅ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
✅ 1 quart room-temperature water
Sea salt is preferred if available, but regular table salt is acceptable.
Water Instructions
✅ Use room-temperature water only.
✅ Do not give cold water for the first 24 to 48 hours.
✅ Use a shallow waterer so tired birds cannot fall in or become chilled.
✅ Make sure every bird can reach the water.
✅ If a bird does not find the water, gently dip only the tip of the beak into the water.
✅ Do not force water down the bird’s throat.
✅ Replace dirty water as needed.
Hydration comes first. Food comes later.
Do Not Feed Immediately
Do not feed adult quail during the first 6 to 12 hours after arrival.
✅ Let them drink first.
✅ Keep them quiet during this recovery window.
✅ Continue offering room-temperature water.
✅ Do not offer dry hay, dried grain, scratch grain, cracked corn, treats, or dry feed during this period.
Shipping can leave birds dehydrated. Feeding dry material too soon may pull more moisture from the bird’s system.
Introduce Feed After Hydration
After the birds have had 6 to 12 hours to drink, you may introduce feed.
Best First Feed After Shipping
✅ Use game bird starter crumble or turkey starter crumble.
✅ Target protein: 28% to 30% protein.
✅ Target calcium: about 1% calcium.
✅ Keep feed clean, dry, and easy to access.
✅ Place feed near the water at first so birds do not have to search for it.
A higher-protein starter feed helps support recovery after shipping stress.
Backup Feed Option
If game bird starter or turkey starter is not immediately available:
✅ Use 24% protein chicken starter crumble temporarily.
✅ Add crushed dried mealworms for extra protein.
✅ Mix at a rate of ¼ cup crushed dried mealworms per 1 pound of chicken starter crumble.
✅ Switch to game bird starter or turkey starter as soon as possible.
Do not rely on scratch grain, cracked corn, dried grain, hay, or treats as the first feed after shipping.
What Should Adult Laying Quail Eat?
Adult laying Coturnix quail should be fed a high-quality game bird crumble with at least 22% protein. Opinions vary, but laying quail generally perform better on a higher-protein ration than standard chicken layer feed.
At FableNest Farms, we feed organic, non-GMO Gamebird Crumbles to support strong feather quality, healthy bone structure, consistent condition, and overall thriving flock health.
✅ Choose a feed made for game birds when possible.
✅ Protein should be at least 22% for adult laying quail.
✅ Feed should be crumble-sized and easy for quail to eat.
✅ Keep clean water available at all times.
✅ Avoid using scratch grains, corn, or treats as the main diet.
✅ Offer treats only in moderation.
Chicken layer feed is usually too low in protein for Coturnix quail and should not be the primary feed unless no better option is available.
Quail Launch Vertically: Use the Right Pen Height
Coturnix quail can launch straight upward when startled. This fast vertical burst can cause head trauma if the enclosure height is not appropriate.
Your arrival recovery pen should be designed specifically for quail safety.
✅ Use low cages designed for quail, typically around 8 to 10 inches tall, or
✅ Use a very tall structure, ideally 4 feet or taller.
✅ Avoid mid-height pens where quail can build enough upward force to hit the top hard.
✅ Make sure the top of the enclosure is safe, secure, and not made of sharp or abrasive material.
✅ Keep the recovery area calm to reduce panic jumping.
✅ Avoid loud noises, sudden movement, pets, and unnecessary handling during the first recovery period.
Important: Quail are not like chickens. Coturnix quail can burst upward fast when frightened. Proper pen height helps prevent head-impact injuries during arrival recovery.
Temperature During Recovery
Adult Coturnix quail older than 4 weeks usually do not need supplemental heat, but they should be protected from cold stress after shipping.
✅ Keep birds protected from temperatures below about 40°F.
✅ Protect them from cold conditions for 3 to 5 days after arrival.
✅ Avoid wind, drafts, damp conditions, rain, and sudden temperature swings.
✅ Do not overheat fully feathered adult birds.
Signs Birds May Be Too Cold
Watch for:
✅ Tight piling
✅ Shivering
✅ Sitting fluffed up
✅ Weak movement
✅ Low activity
✅ Not drinking or eating after the hydration period
If birds appear cold, move them to a warmer, dry, draft-free area.
Signs Birds May Be Too Hot
Watch for:
✅ Panting
✅ Wings held away from the body
✅ Restlessness
✅ Avoiding the warm area
✅ Lying stretched out or appearing distressed
If birds appear hot, reduce heat and improve ventilation without creating a draft.
First 24 to 48 Hours
During the first 24 to 48 hours:
✅ Continue using room-temperature water.
✅ Do not give cold water.
✅ Keep birds calm and protected.
✅ Limit handling.
✅ Monitor drinking closely.
✅ Offer feed only after the first 6 to 12 hours of hydration.
✅ Watch for birds that isolate, appear weak, or fail to drink.
✅ Keep the recovery pen quiet and quail-safe.
First 3 to 5 Days
During the first 3 to 5 days after arrival:
✅ Keep birds protected from temperatures below about 40°F.
✅ Maintain a quiet, low-stress recovery environment.
✅ Keep feed and water consistently available.
✅ Check birds several times daily.
✅ If birds are in breeder cages, make sure cages stay dry.
✅ If birds are on bedding, flooring, in an aviary, or on another natural floor setup, make sure the area stays dry, drains well, and the litter is kept clean and properly managed.
✅ Remove spilled feed and dirty water promptly.
✅ Avoid unnecessary moves or stressful flock introductions.
✅ Use a quail-safe pen height to reduce head-impact risk from vertical launching.
Arrival Care Checklist
✅ Move birds to a clean, quiet recovery area.
✅ Provide room-temperature water immediately.
✅ Add poultry electrolytes if available.
✅ If electrolytes are unavailable, mix ½ teaspoon salt + 2 tablespoons sugar + 1 quart room-temperature water.
✅ Do not give cold water for 24 to 48 hours.
✅ Do not feed for the first 6 to 12 hours.
✅ After hydration, feed 28% to 30% protein game bird or turkey starter crumble.
✅ If needed, use 24% chicken starter plus ¼ cup crushed mealworms per pound of crumble temporarily.
✅ For adult laying quail, feed a quality game bird crumble with at least 22% protein.
✅ Protect birds from temperatures below about 40°F for 3 to 5 days.
✅ Use a quail-safe recovery pen: either 8 to 10 inches tall or 4 feet or taller.
✅ Avoid unsafe mid-height pens that can cause head-impact injuries.
✅ Keep breeder cages dry.
✅ For bedding, flooring, aviaries, or natural floor setups, keep the area dry, well-draining, and clean.
✅ Monitor closely for drinking, eating, alertness, and normal movement.
Do Not Do These Things
❌ Do not feed immediately upon arrival.
❌ Do not give cold water during the first 24 to 48 hours.
❌ Do not use scratch grain, dried corn, hay, or treats as the first feed.
❌ Do not use chicken layer feed as the main diet for adult laying quail if proper game bird feed is available.
❌ Do not place birds in a cold, wet, windy, or drafty area.
❌ Do not overheat fully feathered adult birds.
❌ Do not force water down a bird’s throat.
❌ Do not over-handle birds during the first recovery period.
❌ Do not place newly arrived quail in an unsafe mid-height pen where they can launch upward and hit their heads.
Quick FAQ
What is the first thing I should do when adult quail arrive?
Give them room-temperature water immediately. Add poultry electrolytes if available. If electrolytes are not available, mix ½ teaspoon table salt and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar into 1 quart of room-temperature water.
Can I feed them right away?
No. Wait 6 to 12 hours before feeding. Hydration comes first.
What should I feed after the hydration period?
Use game bird starter crumble or turkey starter crumble with 28% to 30% protein and about 1% calcium.
What if I do not have game bird starter?
Use 24% protein chicken starter crumble temporarily and mix in ¼ cup crushed dried mealworms per 1 pound of crumble. Switch to proper game bird or turkey starter as soon as possible.
What should adult laying quail eat after recovery?
Adult laying Coturnix quail should eat a quality game bird crumble with at least 22% protein. At FableNest Farms, we feed organic, non-GMO Gamebird Crumbles to support feather quality, bone structure, and thriving flock health.
Do adult Coturnix quail need heat after shipping?
Adult Coturnix quail older than 4 weeks usually do not need supplemental heat, but they should be protected from temperatures below about 40°F for 3 to 5 days after arrival.
How long should I avoid cold water?
Avoid cold water for the first 24 to 48 hours. Use room-temperature water only during the initial recovery period.
Why does pen height matter for Coturnix quail?
Coturnix quail can launch straight upward when startled. A mid-height pen can allow enough upward force for the bird to hit its head and suffer trauma. Use a low quail cage around 8 to 10 inches tall or a very tall structure around 4 feet or taller.
