New to quail, advice please

I am 12 years old, and with my mother wish to hatch out some quail. I would like to know which breeds are likeliest to be friendliest. I would like them as pets as much as anything else.
Idealy something that would lay well, and my mother says the extra males should make a nice meal.
Please could you give some advice on breeds and where to get the eggs from.
I had wondered whether I would like some jumbos, but am not sure if this is advisable.
We have, and have had, raised chickens so I am not a complete novice to poultry keeping.

Japs are the friendliest! They're good layers, an egg a day given the right lighting conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests Jumbos don't lay as well as normal japs, but they're probably better for eating...

Ironsun is selling eggs nice and cheap, check in the breeders section further down

Hi Hillyhenhouse.

I've got to agree with Emma, Japanese quail, coturnix japonica is the best species to keep for both eggs and meat.

They are very friendly, easy to keep in hutches and avairies as long as they are out of cold winds and wet weather.

During the summer months, japanese quail will lay almost every day, laying a some what creamy tasting egg.

If hatching your own, males of most varities can be sexed at 2/3 weeks old, these can be removed from the females and fed a higher protien food, like turkey growers and are ready to cull at about 6/7 weeks old.

Derek.

Hi Hilly

I have the normal japs (just coming up to POL) and the jumbos. I think the friendliness depends on strains as much as anything as I've found the Jumbos not so friendly as the normal whereas others have found just the opposite that their Jumbos ones are more placid.

Raising males for the table is an excellent idea as I think in general 60% of a hatch will be male. We processed 22 yesterday - our first big batch, phew! Nice couple of meals squirreled away in the freezer and nice casserole for tomorrow!

I had an excellent hatch from Derek's eggs just recently.

Harre

Thanks for the great advice.
Can you raise normal sized Japs and Jumbos together if hatched together?
I am hoping to be able to start some time early to mid march, so will be looking for some eggs in the not to distant future.

Hi Hilly

Welcome to the forum. We have a few younger members who will be happy to talk to you about their pet Jap's.

Yes the two can be raised and live happily together.

Good luck with your future hatch.

Suz