Quail are farmed in large numbers globally for eggs and meat, yet they receive far less welfare attention than chickens. Their specific behavioural needs are often poorly met in commercial systems.
Quail welfare represents a significant and largely unaddressed gap in farmed animal protection. These small birds are kept in conditions that would violate chicken welfare standards in most jurisdictions, yet face almost no species-specific regulation. Wire-floored cages cause chronic foot and keel bone injuries; extreme stocking densities prevent normal movement; the absence of substrate eliminates dust bathing and foraging; and the social structure of commercial groups often does not reflect natural flock dynamics. The scientific literature increasingly demonstrates that quail have welfare-relevant sentience comparable to other poultry, yet this has not been translated into regulatory protection. Welfare improvements are possible within commercial systems through enriched cages or floor-based housing with litter, and research shows these changes improve both animal welfare and production outcomes.