A breeding program can be as simple or as complex as you want—what matters is intent. When you choose characteristics that you value and then track those choices across generations, you’re breeding with a purpose.

What a ride. This year we pushed hard on calm systems and steady improvements, and it showed not only in the quality of the birds we put out but the mass amounts of positive feedback we have received. We hatched thousands of Coturnix quail, tightened our breeder selection, launched our website, and proved again that slow, sustained growth beats chaos every time. The theme was simple: design for ordinary days, then let repetition do the heavy lifting.

The best advice we can give heading into a new year is simple: grow slowly and deliberately......

Year-end isn’t just for inventory and wish lists—it’s the perfect window to reset your sanitation and biosecurity for quail.

Thanksgiving on a small farm is more than a holiday and isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a deep breath between seasons and it’s a pause between missions. The rush of summer markets and fall chores slows just enough for us to look around, take a breath, and notice what succeeded this year. We gather with family and friends, pass the rolls, and take stock of everything we’ve been given.....

Winter doesn’t and shouldn't stop you with Coturnix quail. You can keep quail outside all winter (even at the high elevations and temperatures here in Colorado) and keep production steady, as long as you design for what they actually do need. They want their essentials available all the time: dry footing, constant feed and water, and a place to get out of the wind while fresh air keeps moisture moving out.

Running quail isn’t about heroics; it’s about stable systems. Your kit (and your mindset) should keep birds comfortable, workflows predictable, and you calm when reality throws a wrench. Treat every task like a pre-flight checklist: prep, confirm, execute, log. When something goes wrong—and it will—fall back to a simple reset: stabilize water, feed, heat, and light first; then diagnose. That sequence keeps birds safe while you think.

Are you in city limits too? Do you have regulations on what type of animals can inhabit your yard? Here are some small space homesteading options to consider aside from or in addition to chickens.