I keep quail, and they’re one of the most underrated pets going, quiet, compact, and happy in a courtyard or small backyard where chickens simply wouldn’t fit. They’re cheap to buy, but as always the setup is where the money goes. Here’s what keeping quail actually costs in Australia in 2026, from my own experience.
Coturnix quail, the most common pet quail, cost around $5 to $15 each. A suitable pen or hutch runs $100 to $400, or much less if you build your own. Feed is cheap at roughly $15 to $25 a month for a small covey. All up, you can set up a small group of quail for $200 to $500.
How much do quail cost to keep in Australia in 2026?
Prices updated July 2026 from current Australian sources.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Coturnix quail | $5 to $15 each |
| Button quail | $10 to $20 each |
| Pen or hutch (pre-made) | $100 to $400 |
| DIY pen | $50 or less |
| Feeder and waterer | $20 to $40 each |
| Game bird feed | $15 to $25 per month (small covey) |
| Bedding and grit | $10 to $20 per month |
Quail are cheap to buy and cheap to feed. The enclosure is your main cost, and a wide, low, predator-safe pen suits them far better than a tall cage.
Sources (July 2026): Pip Magazine, Australian quail breeders and current point-of-lay quail listings., Pet Shop Direct
Where the money actually goes
The birds: coturnix quail are only $5 to $15 each, which makes them one of the cheapest birds to get started with. Buying point-of-lay birds rather than chicks means you skip the brooder and heat lamp, the same as with chickens. If you want to keep a mixed group, keep more females than males, because too many males will fight and over-mate the hens.
The enclosure: this is your main cost. A pre-made pen or hutch runs $100 to $400, or you can build a perfectly good one from scrap timber and mesh for under $50. The key thing I’ve learned is that quail need floor space, not height, and a low or padded roof. Quail spook easily and launch straight up (keepers call it boinking), and in a tall cage they can hurt their heads on the roof. A wide, low, secure pen is exactly what they want.
Feed: this is where a lot of new keepers go wrong. Quail need a higher-protein game bird feed, around 20% protein, not standard chicken layer feed, which doesn’t have enough protein for them. It’s cheap, at roughly $15 to $25 a month for a small covey, plus a dish of fine shell grit to help them digest it.
Bedding and extras: bedding, grit and the odd treat of fresh greens add up to maybe $10 to $20 a month. Quail dust-bathe, so a shallow dish of sand or fine dirt keeps them happy and helps with mites.
Vet: quail rarely see a vet, but if one does you’ll want an avian or exotic vet rather than a standard clinic. Because the birds themselves are inexpensive, most of the cost of keeping quail is in doing the setup and diet properly so they stay healthy.
How to keep the cost down
- Build your own pen. A wide, low pen from scrap timber and mesh costs a fraction of a pre-made one and suits quail better anyway.
- Buy point-of-lay birds. You skip the brooder and heat lamp you’d need for chicks.
- Buy game bird feed in bulk. It’s cheap per feed and stores well in a sealed bin.
- Keep the right ratio. More females than males means less fighting, less stress and fewer injuries to treat.
- Give them a dust bath. A cheap dish of sand keeps mites down and saves on treatments.
Recommended products
If you’re setting up for quail, here are a few things from Amazon Australia that help (these are affiliate links):
Frequently asked questions
How much do pet quail cost in Australia?
Coturnix quail, the most common pet quail, cost around $5 to $15 each. Button quail are a bit more at $10 to $20. Point-of-lay birds cost more than chicks but settle in and lay sooner.
Do you need a licence to keep quail in Australia?
Coturnix and button quail are generally kept without a licence, unlike native species. Some native Australian quail do need a wildlife licence, so if you’re looking at anything other than coturnix or button quail, check your state’s requirements first.
What do pet quail eat?
Quail need a higher-protein game bird feed of around 20% protein, not standard chicken layer feed, which doesn’t have enough protein for them. Add a dish of fine shell grit and fresh greens as a treat.
Do quail need a lot of space?
Floor space matters far more than height. Quail are ground birds, so a wide, low enclosure suits them better than a tall one. A padded or low roof is a good idea because quail startle easily and fly straight up, which can injure their heads.
Can you keep quail with chickens?
It’s generally not recommended. Chickens are much bigger and will bully quail, and the two can share diseases. Most keepers house quail separately in their own low, secure pen.
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