How to Price Live Quail for Sale: A Guide for Small-Scale Breeders
If you’re thinking about turning your passion for Coturnix into a legit business, one of the trickiest parts is figuring out how to price live quail for sale. Whether you’re offering day-old chicks, started juveniles, or full-grown layers, your pricing needs to cover your costs and keep you competitive.
I’ve been raising Coturnix for over a decade, and in that time, I’ve learned that pricing isn’t just about numbers—it’s about sustainability. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I price my birds, what I factor in, and how you can set your prices with confidence, whether you’re just starting out or scaling up.
Know Your Costs
Before you put a price tag on a single bird, get clear on what it’s costing you to raise them. I’m talking feed, bedding, housing, electric bills—everything. If you skip this step, you risk undercutting yourself and burning out fast.
Feed, Housing, and General Care Costs
Feed is usually your biggest expense. Adult Coturnix eat about 20–25 grams of feed a day, and that adds up. Figure out how long you’re raising them before selling, and do the math. This post breaks down the real cost of raising quail for meat if you’re curious about the bigger picture. Don’t forget to include bedding, electric for brooders and incubators, and maintenance on housing.
Brooder setups can be another sneaky cost, especially early on. If you’re looking for options, I’ve reviewed one popular setup in Is the Hatching Time Brooder Worth It?—it might help you find a good fit for your budget and space.
Ways to Lower Your Costs
Yes, fair pricing is important—but reducing your own costs can boost your bottom line just as much. Here’s what I recommend:
Buy Feed in Bulk
If you’ve got the storage space, bulk feed is a game changer. Watch for sales at local feed stores, or go in on a large order with other farmers. Bonus: consider mixing your own feed if you’ve got the know-how and ingredient access.
Reduce Bedding Costs
Bedding adds up. Look into free or low-cost materials like shredded newspaper, straw, or pine shavings. And compost that used bedding—it closes the loop and saves money on garden amendments later.
Use DIY Pens and Equipment
You don’t need to drop hundreds on fancy pens. I’ve built plenty of my own using scrap lumber, old wire, and repurposed materials. Same goes for brooders—DIY setups with heat plates or heating pads can save you a bundle.
Hatch Your Own Eggs
Invest in a quality incubator and hatch your own. It’s cheaper than buying chicks over and over, and once you’re confident, selling hatching eggs can become its own income stream.
Use Solar Power for Lighting and Heating
Running lights or heat? Solar panels can help cut your electric bill—especially if you’re in a sunny spot. It takes a bit to set up, but the long-term savings can be worth it.
Minimize Waste
Spilled feed is wasted money. Use feeders designed to reduce waste, store feed in airtight containers, and avoid overfeeding. Your wallet and your birds will thank you.
Barter or Trade with Other Local Farmers
Trade eggs or chicks for feed, bedding, or even labor. It’s a great way to reduce expenses and build your local farm network.
There are even more DIY ideas here if you want to dig deeper. Every little bit helps when you’re building something from the ground up.
Factor in Labor and Time
This is where a lot of folks sell themselves short—and I get it. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to overlook the hours you spend every day feeding, cleaning, checking incubators, tracking hatches, and making sure your birds are thriving. But let me tell you, that time adds up fast.
You’re not just raising quail—you’re managing a whole operation. And that means your labor needs to be factored into your pricing, just like feed or bedding. If you’re spending hours a week on care and maintenance (and you are), your prices need to reflect the value of that time. Otherwise, you’re running a charity, not a business.
Research Your Local Market
It’s not just about what your birds cost you—it’s about what your local market will support. Check prices from other breeders, browse online listings, and scope out what’s selling at nearby farm stands or swaps.
Set your prices too low, and you undercut yourself. Too high, and folks may look elsewhere. The goal is to find that sweet spot that reflects your value and moves your birds.
Here’s a general guide to regional pricing for live quail:
| Region | Day-Old Chicks | Laying Hens (6-8 Weeks) | Meat Males |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (Maine, NY) | $3 – $5 | $15 – $20 | $8 – $12 |
| Southeast (Florida, GA) | $2 – $4 | $12 – $18 | $7 – $10 |
| Midwest (Ohio, IL) | $2.50 – $4.50 | $14 – $18 | $7 – $11 |
| West Coast (CA, WA) | $3 – $6 | $16 – $22 | $9 – $13 |
| Southwest (Texas, AZ) | $2.50 – $4 | $13 – $17 | $8 – $11 |
Pro Tip: Keep tabs on local prices regularly. It’ll help you stay competitive and adjust for seasonal shifts.
Differentiate Based on Age and Breed
Not all birds are priced the same—and for good reason.
Day-Old Chicks vs. Adult Birds
Chicks are cheaper because they still need heat, care, and grow-out time. They’re also more delicate, which means higher risk for the buyer.
Juveniles or adults, especially those near laying age, are more valuable. They’re basically plug-and-play, and people will pay for that convenience.
Standard Size vs. Jumbo Coturnix Quail
Jumbos grow faster, lay bigger eggs, and dress out heavier for meat. But they also eat more and need more space—so price accordingly.
- Standard Coturnix: 8–10 oz. at maturity
- Jumbo Coturnix: 12 oz. or more
Highlight the benefits of each based on your customer’s goals.
Specialty and Unique Lines
Rare colors or feather types? That’s your niche. These birds take extra time and selective breeding, and the pricing should reflect that. Just be clear about what makes them different and worth the price tag.
Consider Seasonal Demand
Spring and early summer are your peak seasons. That’s when folks are building pens, ordering chicks, and getting their quail operations up and running. Demand tends to be high, and buyers are often willing to pay full price for quality birds—especially if you’re offering something unique like jumbos or specialty color lines.
Fall and winter? Things usually slow down. Shorter days mean fewer eggs, colder temps can delay projects, and customers might be focused more on prepping for winter than adding to their covey. That doesn’t mean sales stop—but it’s a good time to think about offering bundle deals, discounts on older birds, or even pre-orders for spring hatchlings. You can also use this quieter time to build customer relationships, prep marketing materials, or streamline your breeding program for the next busy season.
Include Value-Added Services
Sometimes it’s not about lowering your price—it’s about raising the value.
Offer a basic health guarantee. Include a care sheet for beginners. Sell a starter kit with feeders and a small bag of transition feed. These extras build trust and give your buyers a smoother start, which makes them more likely to come back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Add up your total expenses—feed, bedding, electricity, labor—then divide by the number of birds you’re selling. That’s your baseline.
Yes—especially if someone’s buying 25, 50, or more birds. Just make sure the discount doesn’t eat into your profits.
Spring and early summer, hands down. That’s when demand spikes and you can price a little higher.
Find your edge—whether that’s a unique color line, extra support for beginners, or top-tier housing. Set yourself apart and price like it.
Start local. Farmers markets, word-of-mouth, local Facebook groups (if permitted), and homestead events are great for building a customer base.
Pricing your birds isn’t just about turning a profit—it’s about valuing your time, your animals, and your operation. Whether you’re brand new or refining your process, the right pricing strategy can help you build a business that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.
Want to see how I price my own birds? Check out what I’ve got available on my Live Quail for Sale page.
Here’s to happy, healthy birds—and a business that grows right alongside th
