Japanese quail are farmed in increasing numbers for eggs and meat. Their welfare needs are poorly understood compared to other poultry, and standards lag behind chicken welfare.
Farmed quail welfare suffers from a regulatory and attention gap. These birds are kept in conditions that would be illegal for laying hens - tiny barren cages with extreme stocking densities - with little public awareness or advocacy pressure. Their small size makes their suffering less visible and less politically salient than broiler or laying hen welfare. The rapidly growing quail egg market is creating welfare problems at scale without the industry standards and certification schemes that at least partially address chicken welfare concerns.