A realistic cost breakdown for keeping Coturnix quail in Australia — setup, feed, housing and the fastest payback period of any backyard poultry.
Quail are often the cheapest poultry species to establish and run in Australia, and the fastest to start producing a return. Coturnix quail reach laying age at six to seven weeks — faster than any chicken breed — which means your first egg income arrives within two months of setup, not six.
Initial Setup Costs
| Item | Cost Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Day-old chicks or hatching eggs (12 birds) | $60–$120 |
| Brooder setup (heat lamp, container) | $50–$120 |
| Adult cage or aviary (12–20 birds) | $150–$400 |
| Feeders and nipple drinkers | $30–$60 |
| Game bird starter feed (first bag) | $25–$40 |
For a small backyard setup of 12–20 birds, total startup cost typically lands between $300 and $700 — substantially less than an equivalent chicken setup, mainly because quail housing needs far less floor space and no expensive coop construction.
Ongoing Feed Costs
Quail eat remarkably little — roughly 25 to 30 grams of feed per bird per day, compared to 120 to 150 grams for a standard layer chicken. A 20kg bag of game bird layer feed (around $35–$45) will feed 20 adult quail for approximately a month. Annual feed cost for a flock of 20 birds runs roughly $400–$550 — a fraction of the equivalent chicken flock cost.
Housing and Ongoing Costs
Unlike chickens, quail do not require predator-proof outdoor runs if housed in secure cages or an aviary — this removes a significant cost that goes into chicken coop construction. Bedding (if using deep litter) costs $10–$20 per month for a small flock. Quail are largely disease-resistant compared to chickens, so veterinary costs are minimal in a well-managed setup.
Return on Investment
A healthy Coturnix hen lays close to one egg per day at peak production. Quail eggs sell for a premium in Australia — $8 to $15 per dozen at farmers markets and to restaurants, compared to $5–$8 for chicken eggs. Twenty laying hens can produce 15–18 eggs daily, meaning a small backyard flock can generate $100–$200 per week in egg sales once established, against weekly running costs of $10–$15 in feed.
The combination of low setup cost, minimal space requirement, fast time-to-production, and strong market price for the eggs makes quail one of the best entry points into small-scale poultry income in Australia.
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