A few days later I was contacted by a Backdoor Survival reader (Perry) who had decided to raise some Coturnix quail in his back yard after learning that his city ordinances did not allow chickens.  At that time,  my only knowledge of quail was as an expensive menu item in the fanciest of restaurants.

Since that time I have done a bit of research and have learned that quail can be the perfect starter livestock – especially for folks living in urban areas. Quail require less space and less work than chickens and rabbits plus they are quiet and easy to raise.  They do not eat a lot, convert feed into protein efficiently, and are much more congenial creatures than even the sweetest-tempered chicken.