The first quail chicks imported into Estonia were hatched in 1967 and the first quail farm was built in 1976. Commercial quail production began in 1980 and 10 years later annual egg production had reached 7.1 million and annual production of meat birds was about 10 tonnes. The development of quail farming in Estonia has depended on several factors, particularly the development through selection of improved egg-meat strains and successful research into incubation, brooding, nutrition and the husbandry and management of both broiler and egg production stocks. Current levels of performance under commercial conditions are for egg production of up to 86% or 315 (per bird housed) from 35 to 400 days of age. Average feed consumption levels as low as 2.62 kg/kg egg mass are achieved. Estonian broiler quail males average about 140 g and females 150 g live weight at 35 days and are considerably heavier than the original Japanese stock. Average feed conversion (males and females) is as low as 2.83 kg/kg live weight.
