Pharaoh quail — the bigger cousin of the Japanese quail
Pharaoh is a dual-purpose strain of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) — larger and heavier than the typical quail, bred for a bigger carcass while keeping good lay. It combines two directions: tasty meat and still decent egg output, which makes it a good fit for backyard and small-scale keeping. We show the breed profile, realistic result ranges from the zootechnical literature, and who Pharaoh quail is the right choice for.
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What the Pharaoh quail is
The Pharaoh quail is a utility strain of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), selected for greater body weight. In practice it is the same species as the classic Japanese quail, but the Pharaoh line is heavier and more muscled, making it a dual-purpose strain — good both for the carcass and for eggs. Pharaohs are often darker, “wild"-coloured, which sets them apart from light laying lines. If you are just getting to know the species, start with the quail farming guide.
Dual purpose: meat and eggs
Pharaoh’s strongest point is its dual purpose. Pure laying lines give small, light birds with high egg output, while meat lines are heavier but lay worse. Pharaoh sits in the middle: large enough to be worth rearing for meat, yet still laying eggs in numbers that make sense for a household. This is a compromise that many beginners find more convenient than choosing a bird specialised in only one direction.
For whom and at what scale
Pharaoh suits backyard and small-scale keeping well: a fast cycle, small space needs and simple handling mean a flock can be run even in a small room or garage. It is a good choice for people who want their own quail eggs and occasional meat without building a specialist farm. You will also find quail in the wider overview of ornamental breeds and small poultry.
Where to source and how to run the flock
Pharaoh chicks and hatching eggs are widely available in Poland — it is one of the most popular quail strains in hobby keeping. Whatever the scale, it is worth keeping records from the start: how many birds, how many eggs, losses and any treatment. DlaFerm.pl lets you do it digitally — you keep a digital Flock Card and organise flock data in one place. You can create a farm account for free.
Pharaoh quail — six traits to know
Origin, production direction, weight and growth rate, egg output and temperament — here is the Pharaoh strain profile based on public zootechnical data (IZ-PIB, subject literature).
Origin and type — larger size
Pharaoh is a strain of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) selected for greater body weight. It belongs to the same species as the classic Japanese quail, but is clearly heavier and more muscled, which is why it counts as a dual-purpose rather than a pure laying type.
Production direction — meat and eggs
This is a dual-purpose strain: it gives a carcass of sensible weight and still lays well. For backyard keeping it is a convenient compromise — one flock covers the need for eggs and occasional meat, without keeping two specialist lines.
Body weight and growth rate
Adult Pharaohs are heavier than the typical Japanese quail — adult body weight in the literature is most often given in the range of about 200–300 g (females usually a little heavier than males). Quail grow very fast: they reach full slaughter weight within a few weeks, giving a short rearing cycle and quick flock turnover.
Egg output and egg weight
Pharaoh lays worse than pure laying lines, but still at a good utility level — in favourable conditions that is on the order of several hundred eggs a year from a well-kept hen. A quail egg usually weighs about 10–14 g and has a characteristic speckled shell. Quail reach sexual maturity exceptionally early, around 6–8 weeks of age.
Temperament and hardiness
Pharaoh quail are active and flighty — they spook easily and can shoot vertically upward, so housing must be secured. At the same time they are fairly hardy and undemanding, tolerating cage keeping well. Calm handling and stable conditions limit stress, which in quail quickly shows up in egg output.
Availability of chicks and hatching eggs
Pharaoh is one of the most popular quail strains in Polish hobby keeping, so chicks and hatching eggs are easy to source and incubation is simple (hatch about 17–18 days). The low entry cost and short cycle make it a good species for first experiences with poultry — more in the quail farming guide.
Results, housing and risks of the Pharaoh strain
Before you place quail, it is worth knowing the realistic results, environmental and feeding requirements and typical risks. Here are six areas relevant to the Pharaoh strain — based on public data.
Results: egg output and age at maturity
Quail mature exceptionally fast — they start laying around 6–8 weeks of age, and a good hen can lay several hundred eggs a year. In the Pharaoh strain egg output is lower than in pure laying lines, because part of the potential “goes" into body weight. Real results depend on conditions, feed and light — these are indicative figures from the literature, not a guarantee.
Environment: cages, temperature, density
Quail are most often kept in cages with a low ceiling (usually up to about 20–25 cm) to limit head injuries when they shoot upward. Chicks need warmth (start about 35–37°C under a heater, gradually lowered), while adults need a stable temperature, good draught-free ventilation and the right stocking density. Overcrowding raises stress, pecking and a drop in lay.
Feeding: high-protein feed
Quail have a high protein requirement — rearing and laying need feed with a higher protein content than typical hen feed (quail chicks usually around 24–28% protein, layers less but still high). A shortage of protein and amino acids quickly lowers egg output and growth. Constant access to clean water and a proper calcium source for layers are also essential.
Health and risks
Pharaoh is fairly hardy, but quail are sensitive to stress, draughts, damp and overcrowding — common causes of falling egg output and losses. Pecking and cannibalism under too bright light or at too high density are a risk too. Drug withdrawal periods apply just as in other poultry — treatment and withdrawal periods are worth recording, e.g. in a digital Flock Card.
Welfare and flock management
Good results come from calm handling, stable conditions and a light programme matched to laying. It is worth watching the sex ratio (males can be aggressive toward each other), removing droppings regularly and keeping drinkers clean. Keeping simple records — numbers, lay, losses, treatment — makes it easier to catch problems before they hit the whole flock.
Who for: backyard and small-scale
Pharaoh is a good choice for people who want their own quail eggs and occasional meat without building a specialist farm. It works in a garage, shed or small utility room. For someone focused purely on maximum egg output, pure laying lines are better; Pharaoh wins where versatility matters. You will find more small poultry among the ornamental breeds.
Frequently asked questions about Pharaoh quail
How does the Pharaoh quail differ from the Japanese one?add
Pharaoh is a utility strain of the same species — the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The difference is in selection: Pharaoh is heavier, more muscled and counts as a dual-purpose type, while classic laying lines are lighter and more specialised in eggs. Pharaohs are also often darker. It is still the same quail, just bred in a different direction.
How much does an adult Pharaoh quail weigh?add
According to the zootechnical literature, adult Pharaohs most often weigh about 200–300 g, with females tending to be a little heavier than males. That is clearly more than a typical laying-line Japanese quail. The exact weight depends on the line, feeding and housing, so treat the given ranges as indicative rather than a fixed norm.
How many eggs does a Pharaoh quail lay?add
Pharaoh lays worse than pure laying lines, because part of the potential “goes" into body weight, but in good conditions it is still on the order of several hundred eggs a year from a well-kept hen. A quail egg usually weighs about 10–14 g. Egg output depends on feed, light programme and temperature — these are indicative figures, not a guaranteed result.
When do Pharaoh quail start laying?add
Quail mature exceptionally fast — they usually start laying around 6–8 weeks of age. This is one of the species’ biggest advantages: a short time from hatch to first eggs and quick flock turnover. An early start to lay does, however, require suitably high-protein feed and a proper light programme from a young age.
What feed for Pharaoh quail?add
Quail have a high protein requirement. Chicks usually get feed with about 24–28% protein, and layers a little lower but still high. A shortage of protein and amino acids quickly lowers egg output and growth. Constant access to clean water and a proper calcium source for layers are essential. It is best to use ready quail or laying-poultry mixes with the right composition.
Is the Pharaoh quail suitable for beginners?add
Yes. A short cycle, small space needs, easy availability of chicks and hatching eggs and simple incubation make Pharaoh a good species for first experiences with poultry. You just need to provide warmth for chicks, secured cages (birds shoot upward) and high-protein feed. You will find more practical tips in the quail farming guide.
Run your Pharaoh quail flock sensibly
Want your data on lay, treatment and losses organised in one place? We will show you how DlaFerm.pl keeps a digital Flock Card even for a small quail flock. Create a free farm account.
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