Japanese quail are farmed in large numbers for eggs and meat, but welfare standards for this species lag far behind those for chickens, despite their distinct behavioral needs.
Farmed quail face many of the same welfare challenges as broiler chickens and laying hens, but with less regulatory protection. High stocking densities limit movement and social interaction. Beak trimming is sometimes practiced to reduce injurious pecking. Research shows quail engage in dust bathing when given appropriate substrate, and deprivation of this behavior causes frustration. Enriched environments with perches, sand baths, and foraging substrate significantly improve welfare indicators in quail. Slaughter practices also need improvement, with electrical stunning not always reliably effective for this small species.