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Eggs for incubation are collected from flocks aged 10–30 weeks. Optimal hatchability is observed in eggs from birds aged 12–24 weeks. The weight of day-old quail chicks is within 6–8 g. Plumage characteristics depend on the selected breed of bird. They should be vigorous, active, without redness on the skin and beak. For advice on preventive treatments, it is advisable to consult local veterinary specialists.

The poultry house should be prepared for the next flock after each batch. After each flock of quail, it is necessary to dismantle the equipment, clean and disinfect it. The area should be cleared of organic residues. Contaminated walls, floors, and equipment are pre-washed using high-pressure washers until the structure and colour of the surface can be seen. After mechanical cleaning, liquid disinfectants are applied, disinfection barriers are installed, and the sanitation downtime is maintained for biological disinfection and drying of the poultry house.

After the routine repair and installation of equipment, litter is applied and fumigation is carried out. Disinfectants must be officially approved and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The cage system for keeping quails is highly cost-effective and has gained maximum popularity all over the world. Quail farms are usually equipped with several rooms, which house all age groups of quails. Cages equipped with heating and lighting (brooders) are used for growing young birds, where birds are kept for up to 20 days.

Subsequently, quails are moved to cages for adult birds for the entire period of productivity. In order to control cannibalism, beak trimming is carried out at the age of 3–4 weeks.

Automated cage equipment provides optimal conditions for quail keeping and allows birds to reach their genetic potential. The sets include an external feed silo for storing dry feed, a feed loading line into mobile feeders, multi-tier cage systems, watering, lighting, ventilation and heating systems. Multi-tier cage systems have cell sizes of 16 x 24 mm, and the floor slope is 6-8 °, so the eggs roll into the collection troughs. The cage dimensions must comply with the standards for feeding and keeping. At the beginning of growing quails, they need an area of 75 cm², from 20 to 37 days – 110 cm², and then – 150 cm².

Quails are very sensitive to sudden environmental changes, in particular during the first 2 weeks. Young stock is reared in brooder cages or boxes for 3 weeks. The initial temperature should be 37 °С, and should then be gradually reduced by 1 °С every 1-2 days till it reaches 22 °С by the end of the third week. During the rearing period, relative humidity in the poultry house should be within 55–70 %.

As drafts are dangerous for quails, the ventilation system should provide even distribution of fresh air throughout the poultry house. It is necessary to ensure that the room is not dusty.

During the first 2 weeks quail chicks should be kept in a well-lit area for 24 hours. By the end of the 3rd week the lighting duration should be gradually reduced to 12 hours per day. After 5 weeks, birds enter the production phase, so the lighting period should be increased to 14–16 hours per day.

For optimal performance and maximum use of energy and nutrients in the feed, birds should receive fresh, high-quality water. Quail drinking systems include the use of tray, vacuum, micro-cup and nipple drinkers. Tray or vacuum drinkers should have a low side and a mesh for the safety of chicks. In industrial farming, nipple drinkers are the most convenient and are installed along the back wall of the cage at the rate of 1 drinker per 17 birds.

The basis for successful quail farming is good flock health. Specific flock health management concepts, coordinated with the veterinarian, play a central role. The vaccination program is implemented based on the epidemiological situation in the country and region. Daily monitoring of feed and water intake, mortality rate and weekly weighing are critical for early disease detection and help prevent the spread of diseases in subsequent flocks.