How to Raise Quail Food at Home

Raising your quail food is a fantastic way to ensure your birds receive the best possible nutrition. In this guide, I'll show you how to create a balanced and nutrient-rich food mix and build a simple, eco-friendly quail house using cardboard and wood.

Materials Needed

• Cardboard Sheets (Thick and durable)
• Wooden Planks (For framing and base)
• Screws/Nails
• Glue (Strong adhesive suitable for cardboard and wood)
• Wire Mesh (For ventilation)

Tools:

• Hammer
• Saw
• Measuring Tape
• Scissors

For the Incubator:

1. Plywood
2. Relays
3. Timer Module
4. DC Motor (for rotating the eggs)
5. Fan (for air circulation)
6. Heating Element (light bulb )
7. Thermostat (to maintain a stable temperature)
8. Humidity Tray (for maintaining proper humidity levels)
9. Wiring and Connectors
10. Dht11

Design the Layout:

• Decide on the size of your quail house based on the number of quails you have. A good size for a small flock (4-6 quails) is around 2 feet by 3 feet.
• Mark out the dimensions on the cardboard and wooden planks.

Cutting and Assembling the Frame:

• Cut the wooden planks to create a sturdy frame for the house. This will serve as the skeleton of your structure.
• Use nails or screws to secure the frame together.

Adding the Cardboard Walls:

• Cut the cardboard sheets to match the dimensions of the frame.
• Attach the cardboard to the wooden frame using glue. Make sure the walls are well-secured.
• Reinforce the corners and edges with extra cardboard or wooden strips.

Creating Ventilation:

• Cut out sections on the sides for ventilation and cover them with wire mesh. This ensures your quails get plenty of fresh air while staying safe from predators.
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Adding the Roof:

• You can use either cardboard or wood for the roof, depending on your preference.
• Secure the roof in place and ensure it’s slightly slanted to allow water to run off.

Finishing Touches:

• Add a small door for easy access to the quail house.
• Place the house in a sheltered location, away from direct sunlight and heavy rain.

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <DHT.h>


// Initialize the LCD with I2C address 0x27, 16 columns and 2 rows
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);


// Initialize the DHT11 sensor on pin 2
#define DHTPIN 2
#define DHTTYPE DHT11
DHT dht(DHTPIN, DHTTYPE);


// Define pin numbers
const int redLedPin = 3;
const int blueLedPin = 4;
const int buzzerPin = 5;
const int relay1Pin = 9; // Relay for bulb 1
const int relay2Pin = 10; // Relay for bulb 2


void setup() {
  // Initialize the LCD with 16 columns and 2 rows
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  // Turn on the backlight
  lcd.backlight();
  // Clear the display
  lcd.clear();


  // Start the DHT11 sensor
  dht.begin();


  // Initialize the LED, buzzer, and relay pins as outputs
  pinMode(redLedPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(blueLedPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relay1Pin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relay2Pin, OUTPUT);


  // Turn off the relays initially (bulbs off)
  digitalWrite(relay1Pin, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(relay2Pin, HIGH);


  // Display a startup message
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("DHT11 Sensor");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Reading...");
  delay(2000);  // Wait for 2 seconds
}


void loop() {
  // Read humidity and temperature from DHT11
  float humidity = dht.readHumidity();
  float temperature = dht.readTemperature();


  // Check if any reads failed
  if (isnan(humidity) || isnan(temperature)) {
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("Failed to read");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("from DHT11");
  } else {
    // Display the humidity and temperature on the LCD
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("Temp: ");
    lcd.print(temperature);
    lcd.print(" C");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("Hum: ");
    lcd.print(humidity);
    lcd.print(" %");


    // Control relays based on temperature
    if (temperature < 37) {
      digitalWrite(relay1Pin, LOW); // Turn on bulb 1
      digitalWrite(relay2Pin, LOW); // Turn on bulb 2
      digitalWrite(redLedPin, LOW); // Turn off red LED
    } else if (temperature >= 37 && temperature <= 38) {
      // Keep relays as they are to maintain temperature
      digitalWrite(redLedPin, LOW); // Turn off red LED
    } else {
      digitalWrite(relay1Pin, HIGH); // Turn off bulb 1
      digitalWrite(relay2Pin, HIGH); // Turn off bulb 2
      digitalWrite(redLedPin, HIGH); // Turn on red LED


      // Beep the buzzer 5 times with a delay
      for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH);
        delay(200);
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);
        delay(200);
      }
    }


    // Check humidity range and control blue LED and buzzer
    if (humidity < 60 || humidity > 70) {
      digitalWrite(blueLedPin, HIGH); // Turn on blue LED


      // Beep the buzzer 5 times with a delay
      for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH);
        delay(200);
        digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);
        delay(200);
      }
    } else {
      digitalWrite(blueLedPin, LOW); // Turn off blue LED
    }
  }


  // Wait 2 seconds before the next reading
  delay(2000);
}

Design the Layout:

• Decide on the size of your incubator based on the number of eggs you plan to hatch. A common size for small-scale quail farming can hold about 20-30 eggs.
• Draw out a simple plan with sections for the egg chamber, viewing window, heating element, and fan.

Constructing the Frame:

• Use the wooden planks to build a sturdy frame for the incubator.
• Attach the plywood to form the walls, leaving space for the viewing window and ventilation holes.

Setting Up the Heating Element:

• Install the heating element (light bulb or ceramic heater) inside the incubator.
• Position it so it distributes heat evenly across the egg chamber.

Adding the Fan for Air Circulation:

• Mount the fan inside the incubator, ideally near the top, to circulate warm air evenly.
• Ensure the fan is wired to run continuously during incubation.

Installing the Thermostat:

• Connect the thermostat to the heating element and fan to maintain a stable temperature (usually around 37.5°C or 99.5°F).

Creating the Egg Turner Mechanism:

• Attach the DC motor to the egg turner tray.
• Connect the motor to a relay controlled by a timer module. This will allow the eggs to be rotated automatically every few hours, mimicking the natural process.

Setting Up the Humidity Tray:

• Place a tray filled with water at the bottom of the incubator to maintain the required humidity level (about 40-50% during incubation, increasing to 65-70% during hatching).

Wiring and Final Assembly:

• Complete all wiring connections, ensuring that relays, timers, the thermostat, and the motor are correctly connected and functioning.
• Test the incubator to make sure the temperature and humidity are stable, and the egg turner is operating as expected.

Calibration and Testing:

• Run the incubator for 24 hours before placing any eggs inside. Monitor the temperature, humidity, and egg-turning mechanism to ensure everything is working properly.

Grain Mix: A combination of millet, cracked corn, and wheat.

Protein Sources:

• Mealworms
• Soybean meal
• Fish meal

Greens:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Lettuce

Supplements:

• Oyster shell (for calcium)
• Grit

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• Storage containers
• A grinding mill (optional for making your own grain mix)
• A dehydrator (optional for greens)
• A scale (to measure the proportions)

Start by creating a balanced grain mix. Quails need a good source of carbohydrates, and grains are perfect for this.

1. Ingredients:

• 50% Millet
• 30% Cracked Corn
• 20% Wheat

1. Instructions:

• Mix the grains in a large bowl.
• Optionally, you can grind the grains slightly to make them easier for the quails to digest.

Protein is crucial for quail growth and egg production. You can use a variety of protein sources to ensure a balanced diet.

1. Ingredients:

• 40% Mealworms
• 30% Soybean Meal
• 30% Fish Meal

1. Instructions:

• Mix the protein sources in with the grain mix.
• Ensure the protein content is around 20-25% of the total mix.

Greens provide essential vitamins and minerals. Fresh greens are best, but you can also dehydrate them for longer storage.

1. Ingredients:

• Equal parts of kale, spinach, and lettuce.

1. Instructions:

• Chop the greens into small, manageable pieces.
• If you’re using fresh greens, serve them alongside the grain mix.
• For dehydrated greens, crush them into small flakes and mix them into the feed.

Quails need calcium for strong eggshells and grit to aid digestion.

1. Ingredients:

• 5% Oyster Shell
• 5% Grit

1. Instructions:

• Mix the oyster shell and grit into the grain-protein mix.

Proper storage ensures the freshness and longevity of the feed.

• Store the feed in airtight containers to prevent moisture and pests.
• Label the containers with the date of preparation.
• Keep the feed in a cool, dry place.

• Provide fresh feed daily.
• Supplement with fresh water.
• Adjust the amount based on the number of quails and their consumption rate.

• Monitor your quails' health and adjust the feed mix if necessary.
• Introduce variety by occasionally adding other safe grains, seeds, or insects.
• Regularly clean feeders to prevent mold and contamination.
• Inspect the quail house regularly to ensure it's in good condition, especially after heavy rain or strong winds.

By building an eco-friendly quail house using cardboard and wood and creating a nutritious food mix, you are setting your quails up for a healthy and productive life. This DIY approach not only saves money but also allows you to control the quality of care your quails receive.