Japanese quail are farmed intensively for eggs and meat with minimal welfare regulations, despite their complex social and environmental needs as highly active ground-dwelling birds.
Farmed quail experience welfare deficits that parallel those of caged laying hens but with even less regulatory protection. Wire flooring causes pododermatitis (foot sores) from continuous contact with hard, sharp wire. Overcrowding creates chronic aggressive interactions in territorial birds. The inability to perform ground-scratching, dust bathing, and foraging behaviors causes behavioral frustration. Small body size creates additional temperature regulation challenges in wire cages. As a largely invisible part of the food system, quail welfare receives minimal public or regulatory attention.