Chickens vs Quail: Which Is Better for Self-Sufficiency in the UK?

When it comes to taking practical steps towards self-sufficiency, keeping poultry is one of the most rewarding and manageable ways to start. Whether you’re running a rural homestead, experimenting with backyard food production, or just want a reliable source of fresh eggs, chickens and quail are both excellent choices.

But which bird is best suited to your setup, lifestyle, and long-term self-reliance goals?

This in-depth UKSN guide explores the pros and cons of chickens and quail for self-sufficiency here in the UK. From housing and feeding to egg production and overall sustainability, we’ll help you decide which option is right for you.

Chickens: The Familiar Backyard Favourite

Chickens are by far the most common choice for people starting out with poultry. They’re hardy, relatively easy to care for, and provide a good supply of both eggs and meat. Plus, there’s something timeless and satisfying about collecting warm eggs from your own coop.

Benefits of Keeping Chickens

• Reliable Egg Layers: Most chicken breeds lay between 180–300 eggs per year, depending on the breed and conditions. Popular UK layers include the Rhode Island Red, Warren, and Light Sussex.

• Dual-Purpose Potential: Some breeds are suitable for both egg production and meat. This makes chickens more versatile if you’re looking for full-cycle food production.

• Great for Garden Health: Chickens will naturally scratch through soil, eat pests, and help fertilise your growing space. Their manure (when composted properly) is rich in nutrients and excellent for your garden.

• Family Friendly: Many UKSN members introduce chickens as a family project. They’re engaging animals that can help children understand food sources, nature, and basic animal care.

• Wide Community Knowledge: Because chickens are so popular, it’s easy to get support. Local groups, online forums, and UKSN Charters often include experienced chicken keepers who are happy to offer advice.
  

Drawbacks of Keeping Chickens

• Space Requirements: Chickens need a decent amount of space to be healthy and happy. A common recommendation is around 10 square feet per bird in an outdoor run.

• Feed and Upkeep Costs: Although chickens can eat scraps and forage, they still require layers’ pellets, grit, and clean water. Over time, costs can add up, especially if you’re raising multiple birds.

• Local Rules and Noise: While hens are fairly quiet, cockerels (roosters) can be noisy. Some councils and housing estates prohibit cockerels due to the noise, and in some cases, chickens altogether.

• Mess and Maintenance: Chickens scratch, dig, and poop—everywhere. Their runs and coops need regular cleaning to keep things sanitary and odour-free.

Quail: Small Birds, Big Output

Quail are fast becoming a favourite for people with limited space or those looking for something a little different. These small game birds offer surprisingly high productivity in a compact, quiet, and low-maintenance package.

Benefits of Keeping Quail

• Perfect for Small Spaces: Quail need far less room than chickens. You can comfortably keep several in a rabbit hutch-sized enclosure, making them ideal for people in urban or small garden settings.

• Fast to Mature and Lay: Quail mature in just 6–8 weeks and begin laying eggs shortly after. This quick turnaround means you’ll be collecting eggs within a couple of months of starting out.

• Excellent Egg Production: Many quail breeds lay between 250–300 eggs per year. Though much smaller than chicken eggs, they’re rich in nutrients and often described as richer in flavour.

• Discreet and Quiet: Quail are relatively quiet birds. Unlike chickens, they won’t disturb neighbours or draw unwanted attention. This makes them ideal for stealthier setups.

• Low Feeding Costs: They eat less than chickens and produce less mess. They can also be fed a variety of greens, insects, and game bird feed without breaking the bank.

Drawbacks of Keeping Quail

• Delicate and Flighty: Quail are far more skittish than chickens and can injure themselves by flying into walls or ceilings. They also don’t tolerate handling well and aren’t ideal for children to help with.

• Eggs Are Tiny: It takes about five quail eggs to match the volume of a single chicken egg. If you're feeding a family, this can mean more frequent collecting and cleaning.

• Limited Foraging: Unlike chickens, quail are not great at free-ranging. They need to be kept in secure enclosures and can’t contribute to garden pest control in the same way.

• Harder to Source Locally: While chickens and supplies are available at most agricultural shops and online stores, quail (and their feed) can be a little harder to find depending on your location.

Egg Comparison: Chicken vs Quail

Chicken Eggs

• Larger and familiar to most UK households

• Great for baking, frying, and general use

• Lower in cholesterol per egg but larger volume overall

Quail Eggs

• Small, speckled, and nutrient-dense

• Often used as a delicacy or garnish

• Richer in iron, B12, and protein per gram

Quail eggs can be eaten raw, pickled, boiled, or fried just like chicken eggs. They’re also popular with children due to their size and unique appearance.

Housing and Welfare Considerations

Chicken Housing

• Needs a coop with perches and nesting boxes

• A run or free-ranging space is essential

• Should be secure from foxes and other predators

• Regular cleaning and maintenance required

Quail Housing

• Best kept in cages or aviaries with a covered roof

• Wire mesh floors can help with hygiene but must be comfortable

• Must be predator-proof (including rats and cats)

• Require less bedding and less space

No matter which bird you choose, welfare should always come first. This means proper housing, clean water, appropriate feed, and a safe, low-stress environment.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Keeping poultry can be a brilliant step towards reducing food miles and improving your household sustainability.

Chickens contribute to:

• Reducing food waste (by eating scraps)

• Improving soil health (manure composting)

• Controlling garden pests (slugs, snails, and bugs)

Quail contribute to:

• High protein output in a tiny footprint

• Minimal space and water use

• Lower noise and odour emissions

Both birds play a role in a well-rounded approach to self-reliance. Chickens offer broader benefits for larger properties or rural households, while quail excel in urban and small-space scenarios.

Cost Breakdown: Chickens vs Quail

Cost Factor	Chickens	Quail
Initial Setup	£150–£400 (coop, run, feeders)	£50–£150 (cages, feeders)
Feed (per month)	£10–£25	£5–£10
Bedding & Cleaning	£5–£15	£3–£8
Egg Output (per year)	180–300 eggs	250–300 eggs (smaller size)

While quail may seem more cost-effective at first glance, it depends on your long-term goals. Chickens offer more meat potential and are better suited for larger-scale food production, whereas quail are perfect for compact, consistent egg supply.

Which Bird Is Best for You?

Ask yourself the following:

• Do I have space for chickens to roam, or am I working with a small yard or balcony?

• Is egg quantity or egg size more important to my household?

• Do I want the option of meat production?

• How much time can I commit to maintenance and care?

• Am I looking for an educational project for the kids or a quieter, hands-off experience?

Go for chickens if you have the space, want meat and eggs, and are happy to get hands-on.

Go for quail if you’re tight on space, want quiet egg producers, and prefer a low-maintenance setup.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between chickens and quail isn’t about which is better, it’s about which is better for you. Both offer sustainable food production, valuable learning experiences, and the rewarding satisfaction of providing for yourself.

At UKSN, we celebrate every step our members take toward self-sufficiency, whether that’s growing vegetables, learning new outdoor skills, or raising their first birds. Poultry keeping is a brilliant way to build resilience, get closer to nature, and involve the whole family in a practical, meaningful activity.

Have you kept chickens or quail? Share your setup, tips, or questions on the UKSN Facebook Group or during one of our camps. You might just inspire someone else to take the leap into self-sufficient living.

Not yet a member?

Join over 3,000 others across the UK who are learning, preparing, and thriving together with UKSN. Camps, challenges, discounts, resources, and a whole community ready to help you succeed.

Join UKSN