My team has been silently conducting quail farming consultancy through our birds’ expert for over a year now (See pictures on www.facebook.com/ziminvestors ). Its amazing what I have learnt myself with each farm visit we have made that I saw it fit to share some of these findings with you. I should start by acknowledging that quail farming is a worthy business venture to pursue in Zimbabwe. Even though the quail eggs are relatively smaller than chicken eggs, they tend to have a smaller yoke and a bigger egg white. Eggs are amongst the most nutritional foods on mother earth but chicken eggs are very unpopular for their high cholesterol levels. An ordinary hard-boiled egg contains 187 mg of cholesterol which approximates to 62% of the recommended daily intake. What does it mean to health watchers? So much conflicting researches are available regarding this issue and you may consult experts. This article is about quail farming in Zimbabwe.

I keep receiving emails from quail farmers facing high quail death rates. It is still a mystery. If you grew up during my time you probably remember the Highlander animated series. The story of Quentin McLeod the immortal; the guy who couldn’t die unless you chop his head off should ring a bell. Quail farming is like that to me unless you don’t do the precautionaries and simple vaccinations. Quails don’t easily die. It’s not even advisable to keep quails and chickens in proximity as quails are more resistant to many bird diseases which can kill all your chickens. This could be the reason why they are believed to have healing properties…and why a growing a niche market in Zimbabwe and globally exists.

I spend a weekend in Dotito early this year with the Ziminvestors team were we met an elderly man who was fascinated by our knowledge of quail farming. He told us of his years in Europe and that if we could help him get the quail project off the ground in Zimbabwe, he would have a ready market. He was convinced with whatever he discovered during his stay in Europe (though he didn’t share the details). Several restaurants in Zimbabwe are now offering quails as a regular dish. A particular joint which I usually frequent Mutangaz (paMutangadura) which is a few kilometers after Goromonzi turn off along Mutare Road serves quail birds at $3.00 each.

I know a discussion with this old man from Dotito is not enough to guarantee a business case. What then can? As you have seen, sustainability is my number one building block on assessing a business case. Quail farming fit that profile. Besides their amazing taste which makes me prefer quails to chickens, quails provide several health benefits. The egg dubbed the golden egg because of lower levels of cholesterol is one example. Their ability to replace your current protein needs 100% puts them at an interesting spot. asthma and tuberculosis patients have been known to eat quail eggs as they have high content of ovomucoid protein which is the kind of protein that you find in antiallery medications. They also contain more calcium and phosphorous than regular eggs as well. Quail eggs are also known of their ability to act as a natural detox, removing things such as heavy metals, and toxins from body and blood stream. I can go on and on talking about the eggs only which begs the question, what about quail meat? I will live that to you to decide. My last question is does a market for quails exist? A niche market has to and I have also seen that it does exist.

Quail farming may not be for everyone. Farmers with large portions of land need do a feasibility study first but if you live in the suburbs like I do and you haven’t been able to carry out some agricultural activities on your piece of land because you face regulations from authorities regarding what you can and cannot farm or raise, quail farming may give you the needed window.

…And remember to, #dogoodzim!!!