Good morning dear readers!

It’s been a busy season around here—and one reason? I’ve been raising quail.

Yep. Right here in my little Southern California suburban plot. I live on a modest quarter-acre, with about 500 square feetof garden and coop space, scattered between five little growing patches I lovingly call my tiny farm.

No goats, no pastures, just one woman, a few garden beds, and some incredibly cute, tiny birds.

🪶 The Gateway Bird

Last year, I brought home five quail: an adult, a juvenile, and three chicks. It’s been a journey—full of sweet surprises and a few tears. One of my birds, Murphy, passed during a tragic New Year’s Eve accident, and yes… I cried real, hot tears. These birds are part of the family.

After some transitions (and rehoming one overly aggressive male, Sir Charles), I ended up with a charming little ladies-only egg-laying squad. Then—serendipity struck—I acquired a double-decker bunny hutch over Christmas. It wasn’t planned. It was just one of those “meant to be” farm moments. And suddenly, I had room for more.

Soon after, I brought home 11 fluffy Coturnix quail from a local breeder. No idea if they were boys, girls, or doves—but four of them literally flew the coop during their first move-in. They all came back. Apparently, I’m a bird whisperer now.

🥚 Tiny Eggs, Big Joy

As of today, not a single one of the new fluffballs has laid an egg. But their home is cozy, natural, and full of good vibes. I’m hopeful that soon I’ll be collecting 10–14 tiny speckled eggs a day in my basket.

If you’ve never seen a quail egg, they are gorgeous. Like nature’s gemstones. Each one unique. Each one small enough to make a chicken egg look comically oversized.

And yes—there’s such a thing as a button quail whose eggs are even smaller. I may be sensing a theme here…

Tiny space. Tiny birds. Tiny eggs. Tiny joy.

🌿 Why Quail?

If you’re new to the idea, or wondering why someone would keep such tiny birds, here’s my take:

1. They’re beautiful. Truly, little works of art.

2. They’re easy to care for. Especially in suburban spaces where chickens might not be allowed.

3. They’re quiet. Great for close neighbors.

4. They’re excellent compost contributors. We waste nothing here.

5. They love kitchen scraps—veggie trimmings, herbs, dandelions.

6. Their eggs are nutrient-packed. Small, but mighty. Full of protein, iron, folate, and B12.

7. They’re versatile. Add one to a chicken egg for boosted nutrition, hard-boil them, pickle them, or treat them as a specialty food for those weeks when groceries need to stretch.

Raising quail has brought me peace, joy, and the occasional egg emergency solution. Whether you raise them or just snag some from a local market, quail eggs are a unique, nutrient-dense addition to any kitchen.

Oh—and did you know some quail eggs come in blue?

More on that next time.