RWANDA: Quail Rearing Thrives In Eastern Province

Having been introduced into the country only recently, quail farming has been embraced by an increasing number of farmers in the Eastern Province. The birds, which are mainly bred for their eggs, are believed to have more health benefits compared to chicken.

Quails have found their way into household menus as well as local supermarket shelves. Emmanuel Rutinduka, a farmer, said the birds were cheap to manage, adding that their eggs' price was three times higher than of other eggs.

"Maintaining quails is less costly compared to chicken and this is reflected in the pricing of the end products like eggs for the business to be sustainable. That is exactly what we are looking for as farmers," he said.

"We sell each quail egg at Rwf 300 unlike the chicken egg sold at Rwf70. This is a big difference and yet we are assured of market... so farmers are joining in the venture daily," he said.

Commercial quail farming started in Japan and has spread tremendously to the rest of the world.

But in Rwanda, the business only gained popularity in few districts recently.

Jean de Dieu Niyonsenga, another farmer, said quail farming business was very easy, lucrative and entertaining.

He said several farmers would join, once they realise the profits hidden in the new type of farming.

"It's very easy to maintain a quail farm, because quails are among the smallest species of poultry birds. Feeding costs of quails are comparatively lower than chickens or other poultry birds".

"They start laying eggs within their 6 to 7 weeks, unlike chicken that takes up to six months to lay eggs. An adult quail consumes about 20 to 25 grammes of food daily, while an adult hen consumes 130 grams. And yet the price of a quail's egg is much higher than that of a hen's egg," he said.

Juliette Mukaminega, a poultry farmer in Kayonza District, said that she would in the future join quail farming, noting that her business was no longer profitable.

"The prices of poultry feeds have been going up, yet chicken egg prices remained unchanged... so, we don't make profits in essence. Quail farming is a new business that's worth joining, owing to its profits," she said.

Jean de Dieu Nityitanga, a veterinary doctor in the province, said diseases were less in quails, compared to other poultry birds.

Meanwhile, British researchers recently said that quail egg should be pronounced a super-food, noting that it has a very good impact on people's health and even helps to fight obesity.

According to nutritionists, the egg is one of the richest in good essential ingredients and we all should consume at least two such eggs a day.

The researchers emphasise the quail egg's important role in general health protection as well as losing and maintaining body weight.

"Quail eggs are valuable,they have a number of amazing health benefits, and you may be surprised at how valuable the little eggs can be at keeping you healthy and free of disease and illness," said the nutritionists.