Millions of quail are farmed globally for eggs and meat under intensive conditions that raise serious welfare concerns about space, behavior, and health.
Intensive quail farming denies birds virtually all natural behaviors. The inability to run, dust-bathe, or establish stable social hierarchies creates chronic frustration and stress. Quail in battery cages show stereotypic behaviors indicating poor welfare. As highly reactive prey species, quail experience intense fear during routine husbandry and catching operations. The industry remains largely unregulated from a welfare perspective.