Quail eggs may be a lot smaller than chicken eggs, but they have great taste and a good amount of nutrition. You’ll enjoy the benefit of quail eggs from small birds that are easy to keep and raise.
If you live in a city where keeping chickens isn’t allowed, or just don’t have space for larger birds, keeping quail is a fantastic alternative. They are often permitted in areas that don’t allow chickens.
What are Quail Eggs?
They say good things come in small packages. That certainly rings true when it comes to the quail egg or codorniz eggs. They are perfectly edible, small eggs and are more common in some parts of the world than others. Often they are considered a delicacy, especially in Europe, Asia, and North America.
They taste like chicken eggs, but are richer and have a higher yolk to egg white density.
There are many benefits of quail eggs. You can fry, poach, hard boil and use them the way you would other eggs. You can use them in savory sauces and other recipes. The difference is you’ll need more of them to equal typical egg recipes.
What Do Quail Eggs Look Like?
The quail egg has the same shape as chicken eggs, but as you’d expect from a smaller bird, it’s smaller in comparison. In fact, a quail egg size is roughly the same as a large olive and, for this reason, makes a great addition to the buffet table or canape platter.
Coturnix quail eggs are 10 – 14 grams. Jumbo Coturnix quail eggs will be slightly larger.
In terms of quail egg’s shell color, it’s cream or off-white with irregular brown and black speckles all over. Quail eggs look like malted milk balls but in an egg shape.
Inside, it looks the same as any other egg, and its larger yolk to egg white ratio is obvious as soon as the egg is out of its shell.
Are Quail Eggs Expensive?
Typically, quail eggs are $6 – $7 per dozen. Keep in mind, they are smaller eggs, so they can be considered expensive at approximately 50 cents per egg. This makes them more expensive than organic chicken eggs. If you raise enough quail, you can earn extra money selling quail eggs.
Quail Egg Nutrition
When it comes to quails eggs nutrition, there are several factors to consider. Different types of eggs possess different health benefits and nutrient levels. We wanted to determine whether the quail egg is particularly good for you to see if it’s worth considering consuming quail eggs.
The great news is the quail egg nutrients are superior nature in relation to chicken or duck eggs.
Nutrient-Packed
It’s thought that eggs from quail are around three to four times as nutritious as chicken eggs. Using the USDA’s national nutrient database, we found out that it’s rich in vitamin E, amino acids, good fatty acids, iron, and zinc.
It also contains almost three times the amount of vitamin B1. Likewise, it has twice the amount of vitamin B2 and vitamin A than chicken eggs, with 13% protein, against the chicken egg’s 11%.
Lastly, the quail egg also has five times more potassium than a chicken egg. Potassium is an essential mineral involved in several bodily processes, including open up and relaxing your blood vessels.
Hypoallergenic
In a small number of cases, chicken eggs have been known to cause reactions, leading to nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and rash. However, the quail egg is considered to be hypoallergenic.
Low Glycemic Index
The quail egg has a low glycemic index, meaning it slowly releases sugar into your blood. That, in turn, helps regulate your body’s blood sugar levels.
An animal study showed that quail egg consumption led to decreased blood glucose and creatinine levels and improved kidney function.
It’s also believed that regular consumption of the quail egg, instead of chicken eggs, can help reduce the risk of diabetes and kidney disorders.
Rich in Antioxidants
The quail’s eggs are rich in selenium, lecithin, iodine, and choline, all of which are natural antioxidants. Choline, in particular, is fantastic for brain health and essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
Quail Eggs vs Chicken Eggs
While quail eggs are smaller than chicken eggs, ounce per ounce, both have a lot of benefits. Nutrition-wise, those from quail and chickens don’t differ tremendously.
Quail eggs contain more fat and protein per ounce than chicken eggs, making them ideal for savory dishes. Just like chicken eggs, you can poach, hard boil, fry, scramble and bake quails eggs.
Four or five quail eggs equal one chicken egg. You can substitute them for chicken eggs in baking and cooking.
Collecting Quail Eggs
Quail are ground birds. Unlike chickens, they prefer to nest on the ground, much like ducks do. Because quails tend not to lay their eggs in nest boxes, you may have trouble finding them.
Finding the eggs on your property when the quails have some space to free-range means you should get to know your birds. As you get to know the hens, you’ll find some may lay in the same spot. Others will not. This means it’s important for you to be able to find them all.
Their eggs are brownish and small which means it may be difficult to spot them in the straw, hay, alfalfa, or in the grass.
If you are raising quail in cages, be sure to choose a cage with a built-in tray. These will have a slant in order for the eggs to roll out of the cage.
It will prevent the quails from damaging the eggs and also keep them cleaner. These set-ups make collecting quail eggs easy.
Quail Egg FAQs
1. Are Quail Eggs Expensive?
They are harder to source than chicken eggs. This makes them expensive. However, you should find them in Chinese supermarkets or specialty stores. If you’re thinking about buying these eggs or selling the once your quails produce, you can expect around $6 for a dozen eggs.
2. Can You Eat Quail Eggs Raw?
You can eat them raw. They often are added in Japanese cuisine. They are not at risk of salmonella, like chicken eggs, but it’s still generally recommended that you cook any egg, from any animal, before eating it.
3. How Long Do You Cook a Quail Egg?
With their small egg size, it will cook faster than a chicken eggs. This means cooking time should be reduced. If you’re boiling them, submerge them in boiling water for just two minutes. Then, remove them from the boiling water. Next, run the eggs under cold water to stop the cooking process.
If you have an abundance, you can use quail eggs in baking. One chicken egg equals five quail eggs. You could also use a kitchen scale to be more precise. You may also find you need to add a minute or two onto the cooking time due to the heftier yolk to egg white ratio.
4. How Long Do Quail Eggs Last?
Try to eat them within a month of them being laid. However, food safety standards say that they are good for around six weeks. That said, make sure you keep them refrigerated below 40 degrees.
5. How Often Do Quail Lay Eggs?
Some quail breeds like the Japanese quail will reliably lay one egg per day, but most breeds fall very slightly short of that.
6. How Many Eggs Do Quail Lay?
Quails are known as being prolific layers, with many breeds averaging around 300 eggs per year. In comparison, ducks only produce around 180 eggs per year, but of course, they are far bigger than quail eggs.
7. How Long Does it Take for a Quail Egg to Hatch?
Typically, quail eggs take 17 – 23 days to hatch, depending on the breed. Hens aren’t broody so you’ll need to incubate them yourself. Keeping up with a steady cycle of hatching eggs means you can breed more birds. This is ideal if you wish to collect eggs and then have the birds for meat. You may also want to consider selling chicks.
Ready Supply of Eggs
Eggs from quail are increasing in popularity. There are many quail egg recipes. The trouble will be finding them in the grocery store.
Comparing quail eggs to turkey eggs and duck eggs vs chicken eggs, they are much smaller. However, they still provide proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, when consumed at the right amount, the eggs can help lower your bad cholesterol levels.
If you are considering raising poultry, it’s important to consider their size. In addition to their eggs being smaller, quails are also smaller than turkeys, ducks, and chickens, making them easy to keep.
One option for a steady supply of eggs is raising these small birds. It can be a fantastic choice for people lacking backyard space. If you live in a city or town, maybe the choice has already been made for you due to local legal restrictions.
You can also consider the profit should you sell their eggs because quails are reliable producers and will produce for a long period.
Quails are beautiful, quiet birds that many people enjoy keeping for their eggs, meat, and company. They will provide a steady supply of eggs. Regarding quail eggs nutrition, they are packed with protein, fat, and vitamins.
Consider raising them if you are looking for a reliable source of eggs. The eggs are smaller than chicken’s eggs, but the birds are easy to care for. They are ideal for hobby farms and backyard farms because they are small, low maintenance, and provide food.