Quail Con 2021: A Comprehensive Review of Learning, Community, and Coturnix Quail
I opted to camp on site at Myshire Farms the night before quail con, so I could be there ready to go the next morning. Camping spots were a pick your own affair at the edge of a mowed field. Zack of Myshire Farms stopped by and personally made sure every camper was in the loop about minor details and made sure everyone had his cell number incase there were any issues. He provided a better check-in experience than most campgrounds I’ve been to, and it was clear he had been working more than 12 hours a day lately setting this whole thing up.
Event Kickoff and Logistics
Quail con began the next morning with a few hiccups. Terry of Coturnix Corner was sick and could not come out to do his talk and incubator build demo, and a tire blew out on the food truck. The start of the event was a bit chaotic due to what felt like all 200 guests milling around the vendors tables and waiting in line to buy raffle tickets on their way to the tent where the announcements were to be held. Lunch was also a bit chaotic, as one food truck for 200 people all trying to eat at the same time meant an incredibly long line standing in the sun. But, the food was delicious and the pop was ice cold and that’s all I really ask for. I spent my time waiting in line making small talk with some of the other guests and staring at the gorgeous grounds the farm is on.
Educational Sessions and Expert Speakers
Eventually, most people slowly made their way over to hear the first speaker, Jim from NPIP. He gave a great talk about the program and biosecurity and answered a ton of questions. Next up was Kristin from Whiskey Tango Farms, co-hosts of Quail Con 2021. She went over quail care basics including brooding chicks and breeding/color genetics. As a quail newbie, I learned a lot; she explained what the fee or pearl coloring actually meant. After lunch, Chris of Slightly Rednecked gave his talk focused on self sufficiency. I was surprised to learn that Chris only permanently housed around twelve quail and a breeder pair of rabbits, increasing both periodically for meat. Lastly, Zack from Myshire Farms gave his talk on quail for profit. He went over his self-imposed rules for running a quail (or any livestock) business, emphasizing that you have to take care of your customers.
Whiskey Tango Farms: Celadon Quail Specialization
Regarding specific breeds discussed at the event, Whiskey Tango Farms sharing our passion of self sufficiency through Coturnix quail. They are happy to provide BLUE egg layers, called Celadon! Celadon Quail are still Coturnix Quail but the difference is that they lay blue eggs. This particular variety will present as Scarlet and Red Range birds, with a mix of solid colored, tuxedo and solid white birds. Our Scarlet & Red Range + Tuxedo Celadon Coturnix Quail Hatching Eggs are 100% True Blue, meaning the birds you hatch from our eggs are guaranteed to lay blue eggs.
Hatching Egg Product Details
Below is the data regarding the available hatching eggs from Whiskey Tango Farms:
| Product Name | Quantity | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet & Red Range + Tuxedo Celadon Hatching Eggs | 15 Eggs | $27.00 |
| Scarlet & Red Range + Tuxedo Celadon Hatching Eggs | 25 Eggs | $38.00 |
| Rainbow Collection Coturnix Quail Hatching Eggs | 50 Eggs | $50.00 |
Farm Tours and Final Activities
After the talks, all the speakers answered additional questions panel style. They stayed until everyone had gotten a chance to ask all the questions they wanted. The rest of the day including a butchering class, tours of the farm and the quail barn, and general mingling. Zack and Jenna and the rest of his team clearly practice what they preach. It was clear they had selflessly given hours of sleep and worked their asses off to make quail con happen. Zack has bent over backwards to be available to his customers, and his team put a lot of effort into pointing newbies to the best solutions for any issues they may have when they begin raising quail.
