Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers from real quail keepers. We've raised Coturnix quail ourselves, sold over 100,000 Feed Saver Ports, and heard just about every question there is. Here are the ones that come up most.

Feed Saver Ports — Sizing, Installation & Materials

What is a Feed Saver Port?

A Feed Saver Port is a 3D-printed feeding insert designed to fit into a round hole drilled in any bucket, tub, PVC pipe, or container you already own. Quail (or chickens) eat through the port opening, but they can't scratch, bill, or fling feed onto the ground. The result: up to 90% less feed waste compared to open-trough feeders. We've sold over 100,000 of them to homesteaders across the country.

What size Feed Saver Port do I need?

It depends on the age and species of your birds:

• 1″ port — Baby quail, hatch through 3 weeks. Prevents chicks from climbing inside the feeder.
• 1.5″ port — Adult Coturnix quail. This is our best seller and the right size for most quail keepers.
• 2″ port — Jumbo Coturnix, Bobwhite quail, or bantam chickens. Also works well for coveys with mixed-age birds.
• 2.5″ port — Standard and large-breed chickens. Same no-waste design, scaled up for bigger birds.

If you're just getting started with Coturnix quail, the 1.5″ Original Port is what you want. If you're raising chicks, grab a set of 1″ Baby Ports too — they'll outgrow them in about three weeks.

How do I install Feed Saver Ports?

Drill a hole matching the port diameter (1″, 1.5″, 2″, or 2.5″) in any container — a 5-gallon bucket, storage tub, PVC pipe, or anything you have around. Press the port into the hole. That's it. The ports are designed with a snug friction fit, so no glue or hardware is needed. Most people have their DIY feeder built in under 10 minutes.

What are Feed Saver Ports made of?

They're 3D printed from PLA+ (polylactic acid), a plant-based thermoplastic derived from corn starch. PLA is non-toxic, contains no BPA, and is widely recognized as food-safe for dry goods contact. It's the same material used in food packaging and compostable utensils. Every port is printed in-house at our shop in Texas.

Are Feed Saver Ports durable? Will quail chew through them?

PLA+ is rigid and very durable for this application. Quail don't have the beak strength to damage them, and under normal conditions the ports last for years. They handle Texas heat, Houston humidity, and outdoor use just fine. Thousands of customers are still using their original sets. The only thing to avoid: don't leave them sitting in boiling water or expose them to sustained temperatures above 140°F (60°C), which would soften any PLA product.

How many ports do I need?

A good rule of thumb is one port for every 3–5 birds. For a covey of 20 quail, 4–6 ports spaced around a bucket or tub gives everyone plenty of access without crowding. Our pre-built Mason Jar Feeder comes with 8 ports, which handles up to 30+ quail comfortably.

Pre-Built Feeders & Starter Kit

What's the difference between the Mason Jar Feeder, Feeder Bucket, and Feeder Tub?

All three use the same Feed Saver Port technology — the difference is size and capacity:

• Mason Jar Feeder — Screws onto any wide-mouth Ball or Kerr mason jar. Best for brooders, small coveys (under 15 birds), or as a secondary feeder. Compact and easy to clean.
• Feeder Bucket — Built on a 5-gallon bucket. Holds significantly more feed and works well for 15–50+ birds. Great for anyone who doesn't want to refill daily.
• Feeder Tub — Uses a wider storage tub for maximum capacity and more port positions. Ideal for large coveys or colony-style setups.

If you're brand new and want the easiest way to start, the Homesteader's Starter Kit comes with a Mason Jar Feeder, a Waterer, and a Quail Keeping Guide — everything you need out of the box.

Do the feeders come with a jar or bucket?

The Mason Jar Feeder is the base only — it's designed to screw onto any standard wide-mouth mason jar (Ball, Kerr, etc.), which you likely already have. We don't ship glass to keep your costs down and prevent breakage. The Feeder Bucket includes the bucket.

Can I adjust the feed flow for different feed sizes?

Yes. The Mason Jar Feeder has a built-in flow adjustment that lets you dial it in for fine crumbles, coarser pellets, or anything in between. If feed is flowing too fast or too slow, a quick twist adjusts it. The Feeder Bucket and Feeder Tub rely on the port size itself for flow control — the 1.5″ port works perfectly with standard game bird crumbles.

Quail Feeding Basics

What should I feed my Coturnix quail?

Use a commercial game bird feed with the right protein level for their age. Chicks (hatch to 6 weeks) need a high-protein starter with 24–30% protein. Adults and layers do best on 18–22% protein game bird feed, sometimes labeled "game bird layer" or "all-flock." Avoid standard chicken layer feed — the protein is too low and the calcium ratio is wrong for quail. Always provide clean water and offer crushed oyster shell on the side for laying hens.

How much feed does a quail eat per day?

An adult Coturnix quail eats about 18–25 grams (roughly 2 tablespoons) of feed per day. That's about a quarter of what a chicken eats. Feed costs add up fast, though, which is exactly why feed waste matters so much — a standard open-trough feeder can waste 30–40% of every bag you buy. That's where Feed Saver Ports pay for themselves within weeks.

Why do quail waste so much feed?

Quail are natural scratchers and billers. They instinctively flick and rake through feed looking for their favorite pieces, sending crumbles flying onto the ground. Once feed hits the bedding, it's contaminated and wasted. Open feeders and shallow dishes are the worst offenders. The Feed Saver Port design forces quail to eat from a controlled opening — they can reach the feed easily, but they physically can't fling it out. That one change eliminates the biggest source of waste in most quail setups.

Can I feed quail kitchen scraps?

In small amounts, yes. Quail enjoy leafy greens (lettuce, kale, dandelion greens), soft fruits (blueberries, chopped apple, melon), mealworms, and herbs like cilantro and parsley. Keep treats to no more than 10% of their overall diet so you don't throw off the protein and calcium balance from their main feed. Avoid anything salty, processed, sugary, or from the nightshade family (tomato leaves, raw potatoes, peppers).

Getting Started with Coturnix Quail

Why should I raise Coturnix quail instead of chickens?

Space, speed, and stealth. You can raise 20 quail in the same footprint as 2 chickens. Quail start laying eggs at just 6–8 weeks old, compared to 5–6 months for most chicken breeds. They're quiet enough for suburban and urban settings — most cities that regulate chickens have no restrictions on quail at all. A well-managed covey of 20 hens produces 100+ eggs per week. For a deeper breakdown with cost comparisons, check out our Why Raise Coturnix Quail page.

How much space do quail need?

The general guideline is about 1 square foot per bird for Coturnix quail in a cage or hutch setup. Cage height matters too — keep it under 12 inches or over 6 feet. Anything in between and startled quail will flush (jump straight up) and crack their heads on the ceiling. A 2′ × 4′ cage comfortably houses 8–10 adult Coturnix.

Can I keep quail with chickens?

No — this is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Chickens carry diseases (like coccidiosis and Marek's disease) that they've developed resistance to but that can be fatal to quail. Chickens are also significantly larger and can injure or kill quail, even without meaning to. Always house them separately.

Can I free range quail?

Not in the way you'd free range chickens. Coturnix quail don't have a strong homing instinct — if you let them loose, they won't come back. Some keepers use quail tractors (enclosed bottomless pens you move around the yard) or covered aviaries to give their birds access to grass and bugs while keeping them contained. But an open free range setup won't work.

Egg Production & Troubleshooting

Why did my quail stop laying eggs?

This is the single most common question in the quail-keeping community, and there are several possible causes. The most frequent culprits: not enough light (quail need 14–16 hours of light per day to maintain production), low-protein feed (anything below 18% will drop production), seasonal molting, stress from overcrowding or predator activity, or simply age (production naturally declines after about a year). Check your lighting first — it's the fix 90% of the time. A simple plug-in timer with an LED shop light solves it.

When do Coturnix quail start laying eggs?

Most Coturnix hens begin laying between 6 and 8 weeks of age, which is dramatically faster than chickens. Some early bloomers start at 5 weeks. A healthy hen in good conditions can produce 250–300 eggs per year — nearly one egg per day.

How do I tell male from female quail?

For feather-sexable Coturnix varieties (like Pharaoh, Italian, and Tibetan), check the chest feathers at around 3 weeks old. Females have spotted or speckled chest feathers; males have a solid, unmarked rusty-brown chest. For varieties that aren't feather-sexable (like Texas A&M white or Rosetta), you'll need to vent sex them — gently pressing near the vent to check for a small foam gland (present in males). Females also tend to be slightly larger and more "puffed up" at rest.

Shipping & Orders

How fast do you ship?

Most orders ship within 1 business day. We print and pack in-house at our Texas shop, so there's no third-party warehouse delay. Orders over $50 ship free.

Do you ship internationally?

We currently ship within the United States. International shipping may be available for some items — contact us to check.

What if my order arrives damaged?

Reach out to us through our Contact page and we'll make it right. We stand behind every product we sell.