Quail Farming Takes Root in Punjab as Affordable Alternative to Mutton

Quail farming is gaining ground as a niche livestock business in Punjab, spurred by growing demand from hotels and restaurants in Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan. Farmers in rural and suburban areas are setting up small-scale operations, attracted by the bird's short production cycle, minimal space requirements and relatively low start-up costs.

According to Dr Faizan Rashid, who runs a quail farm in Pattoki near Lahore, quail meat is regarded as a luxury item and is consumed mainly in major urban centres where purchasing power is higher. Despite a nutritional profile comparable to mutton, it costs almost half as much, selling for around Rs. 1,450 per kilogram against Rs. 2,400 per kilogram for mutton, making it an affordable specialty meat option for consumers.

Dr Rashid said quail farming requires far less investment than conventional poultry, largely because the birds mature quickly and need little room. A room measuring 100 square feet can house up to 1,000 birds, he said. The early rearing process, including brooding and general management, is broadly similar to conventional poultry, with temperature control especially important in the first few days, though quails are generally hardier and more resistant to disease.

Feed is the biggest recurring expense. A day-old chick costs around Rs. 17, while a mature bird can fetch between Rs. 70 and Rs. 100 depending on size and market demand, he said. Profitability depends largely on efficient flock management, feed consumption, mortality control and access to reliable buyers. A Japanese-breed quail chick weighs around eight to nine grams at birth and can reach roughly 100 grams at maturity, Dr Rashid added.

He noted that the Avian Research and Training Centre at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore has developed a jumbo quail breed to improve bird size and meat yield. The effort raised egg weight from 9.5 grams to 12 grams and day-old chick weight from 6.5 grams to eight grams, while live weight at 28 days increased from 100 grams to 200 grams and dressed weight from 50 grams to 100 grams. However, the jumbo variety has yet to gain broad acceptance among hotel and restaurant operators, who generally prefer smaller birds for serving, though it is popular with consumers who cook at home.

Dr Farhan Afzal, director of the Punjab Poultry Research Institute, described quail farming as an attractive emerging business opportunity, citing compact housing, limited land requirements, early maturity and a short production cycle as its key advantages.