How To Start A Quail Farming In Ghana

This is a detailed post on quail farming business in Ghana.
Quail farming is a special niche in poultry farming that involves the rearing of quail birds for the purpose of producing eggs. And sometimes for meat production.
Quail farming is still not a very popular farming venture in Ghana.
However, just like every other agricultural venture, quail farming is a very lucrative venture.
But, unlike other niches in poultry farming, quail farming requires relatively little capital, less risk and guarantees high return on investment.
Conversely, you may also decide to start with 2 weeks old quails.
And with adequate feeding, proper care and vaccination, you will have mature quails, ready for laying eggs within 5 to 6 weeks.
It is important to note that quails are better stocked in a ratio of 5 females is to 1 male.
This means that if you want to start with 100 female quails, then you are supposed to match them with 20 males. To ensure efficient reproduction.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD
START QUAIL FARMING
1. Less Capital Intensive/Low Risk:
Unlike other kinds
of livestock farming businesses, starting and managing
a quail farm is relatively cheaper.
Quail
farming can be started in any available space. Like at
your backyard. All you need to do is to construct a
secure cage that is big enough to house the number of
birds you are starting with.
Also, managing a quail farm is less money and
attention demanding.
Quail farms do not encounter
disease outbreak like chicken farms. So, in as much as
vaccination is necessary, it may not be administered
regularly like what is obtainable in chicken farming.
And unlike chickens, quails are light feeders. A mature
quail consumes about 25grams of feed per day.
Whereas, a mature chicken consumes about 150grams
of the same feed per day.
2. High Return on Investment:
The first aim of every
business is to make profit.
Quail farming guarantees
you high return on your investment. And also easily
expandable if properly managed. This is because
quails mature to point of lay very fast.
Thus,
guarantees you of returns as quickly as possible.
Feeding and general maintenance in quail farming is
also cheap. This means higher net profit after
deducting expenses.
3. Fast Maturity/Prolific Layers:
Unlike fishes and
chickens that take a very long period to attain maturity,
quails mature within just 5 to 6 weeks.
And at this point
they are ready for laying eggs. Another impressive
characteristic of this birds is that they are prolific
layers.
Like we stated earlier, a mature female quial lays
at least one egg per day if properly fed and maintained.
And on the average 5 eggs per week.
4. High Demand:
The demand for quail eggs is
continuously on the increase. This is due to its
medicinal values.
According to medical report, fertile
quail eggs enhances brain stimulation. And helps in
fighting diseases like anaemia, ulcer and cancer.
Thus,
as people’s awareness of these benefits are increasing
daily, the demand for quail eggs is also increasing.
5. No Formal Training:
In as much as I always
encourage people to get trained before going into any
farming venture.
In quail farming, training is also
necessary but not mandatory. You don’t need a degree
to run a successful quail farming business.
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
INVOLVED IN QUAIL FARMING IN
GHANA
Just like every other business venture, quail farming
also comes with its share of risks.
However, the risks
are little compared to the challenges faced in setting
up and managing other farming ventures.
Moreover,
they are risks that could be easily managed with
adequate precautions. These risks include:
1. PREDATORS: Snakes, cats, and rodents are big
threats in quail farming.
Thus, it is advisable to ensure
that whichever housing system you decide to use is
built safely.
2. HUMAN THIEVES: Another challenge to quail farming
is human thieves. Thus, it is very important that the
quail house is built to be very secured and in a well
secured environment too.
If it is a big farm, then the
farm workers and security guards to be employed
should be people of impeccable character.
5 REQUIREMENTS TO START
QUAIL FARMING IN GHANA
1. Business Plan:
Like we always advice you, the first
requirement to succeed in any business venture is a
bankable and realistic business plan .
This should be
done after conducting thorough market research and
rigorous feasibility study to ascertain the viability of the
business.
This would enable you identify the market
size, your competitors, threats to your survival in the
market, the acceptance of your potential product in
your target market and so on.
The business plan also serves as a blueprint to keep
you focused on your vision and mission of starting the
business.
2. Housing/Location:
A quail farm can be located any
where. Ideally, it is better located outside residential
areas.
But, since it doesn’t produce stench like
chickens, it can be located at your backyard. Or any
nearby land once it will be properly maintained and
constantly cleaned.
More so, quails produce efficiently in cleaner
environments. So, their cages, houses, and
surroundings should always be kept neat.
Also, the housing should be built in such a way that it
is protected from predators and human thieves.
3. Breeding:
Just like every other livestock farming
business, the viability of the quail farming business
depends on the breed of the parent stock.
Thus, ensure
to get healthy and prolific breeds depending on the
aspect of quail farming you want to venture into.
Quail are either reared for their
meat or for their eggs.
Most people are into quail
farming for the purpose of egg production.
So, if you fall
into this category. Then layer breeds like Manchurian
golden, Tuxedo, British range, and English White are
the best breeds for you.
However, these breeds do not
grow big. So, not viable for meat production.
4. Feeding:
Quails feed on chicken feeds.
However,
unlike chickens, quails are not heavy feeders. As we
stated earlier, a mature quail consumes about 25grams
of feed per day.
Whereas, a mature chicken consumes
about 150grams of the same feed per day.
5. Marketing:
The market for quail eggs is very large
and ever expanding.
However, people in many parts of
the country that are not yet aware of its health benefits
still prefer chicken eggs.
It is very important that
you carry out a market research to ascertain the
acceptance of quail eggs in your area. As well as
ascertain your potential customers.