Resources & Links: Our Favorite Tools, Gear & Communities

I don’t believe in gatekeeping good tools. If something makes raising Coturnix quail easier, more efficient, or just a little more enjoyable, I’m all about it—and happy to pass it along.

Everything listed here is something I’ve personally used and tested on the farm. Some of these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you), but I never recommend anything I don’t stand behind.

Whether you’re just starting your first brooder or refining your breeding program, here are the resources I reach for again and again.

Equipment We Use and Love

HatchingTime’s Quail Systems

These are the backbone of our setup for brooding, growing out, and housing birds. Built for functionality, easy to clean, and surprisingly durable—I rely on HatchingTime gear every single day.

Cabinet Incubators – Reliable temps, easy to clean, and solid hatch rates.
Brooders – Stackable, mess-controlling, and built for high-efficiency.
Grow Out Cages – Great for keeping teens separated by age or line.
Layer Cages – If you’re serious about egg production, these keep it clean and simple.

Get $25 off your purchase of $250 or more with code FORGETMENOT

Amazon Must-Haves

These are the small but mighty tools that make daily life with quail way easier. Nothing fancy—just the kind of gear that works.

Elastic Poultry Leg Bands – Super helpful for tracking color lines, behavior, or age groups. I use different colors for each covey or breeding pen.
Paper Mache Egg Trays for 40 Quail Eggs – Sturdy, stackable, and compostable. Great for collecting or selling eggs.
Quail Egg Scissors – These make opening eggs a breeze—especially handy if you’re cooking or packing a lot at once.
24-Egg Plastic Egg Cartons for Quail Eggs – Great for farm stand sales or gifting. Reusable and they show off those speckled eggs nicely.
Manual Quail Egg Peeler – Peeling eggs in bulk? This thing is a lifesaver. Especially if you’re making pickled eggs or prepping for market.

The 104 Homestead

Want to dive deeper into homesteading skills beyond quail? I also run The 104 Homestead, where I share practical tips on gardening, preserving food, animal care, and simple living—built for beginners and seasoned DIYers alike. If you’re raising quail, chances are you’ll find something helpful there too.

Facebook Groups & Community Support

Raising quail doesn’t have to be a solo adventure. These are some of the online communities I check in with regularly—great for troubleshooting, learning, or just chatting with fellow bird nerds.

Hatch, Raise, Thrive: Coturnix Quail Keepers (New Group!)

Run by Forget-Me-Not Quail Farm, this group is just getting started—but we’re hoping it grows into something amazing. Whether you’re brand new to quail or have years of experience, this is a space to swap tips, ask questions, and celebrate the wins (and troubleshoot the not-so-wins).

Come be part of the beginning → Join Hatch, Raise, Thrive

Coturnix Corner – Friendly, active group with solid beginner support.
Coturnix Quail-Colours and Genetics – A go-to for deeper conversations around breeding, colors, and mutations.
Maine Homesteaders – For folks closer to home who are growing, raising, and preserving.
Maine Farm and Homestead Connections – Great for local networking, swaps, and seasonal tips.
Maine Homestead Bartering Group – Because sometimes a bag of quail manure is worth more than cash.

A Quick Note on Affiliate Links

Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the farm and keep the blog and resources coming. But just so you know: I only recommend products I actually use and trust.