🇵🇭 Quail Farming in the Philippines

A complete, Philippines-focused guide to starting and running a profitable quail farm — from permits to profit.

🇵🇭 Why Quail Farming in the Philippines?

The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia's top quail egg producers. With a tropical climate, low startup costs, and strong demand from restaurants, street food vendors, and wet markets, quail farming is an ideal enterprise for Filipino entrepreneurs — from backyard hobbyists to commercial-scale operations.

PHP 5,000 – 50,000

Startup Capital Range

45 – 60 days

Time to First Eggs

280 – 320 eggs/year

Per Japanese Quail Hen

PHP 1.00 – 1.50

Wet Market Price per Egg

Quail Species in the Philippines

🇯🇵 Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)

Most common in PH. Bred for both eggs and meat. Hardy in tropical heat.

Egg production: 280–320 eggs/year
Weight: 100–140g (hens), 90–120g (males)
Maturity: 6–8 weeks
Feed conversion: Excellent
Availability: Widely available from local breeders

🇺🇸 Jumbo Coturnix (Pharaoh)

Larger variety. Popular for dual-purpose (eggs + meat). Growing in popularity.

Egg production: 250–300 eggs/year
Weight: 150–200g (hens)
Maturity: 8–10 weeks
Feed conversion: Good (larger body = more meat)
Availability: Imported breeds, some local breeders

🇵🇭 Philippine Native Quail

Wild-caught or semi-domesticated. Smaller but hardy. Less common in commercial farming.

Egg production: 150–200 eggs/year
Weight: 60–80g
Maturity: 8–12 weeks
Feed conversion: Moderate
Availability: Rural areas, wild-caught

Popular Color Varieties in PH

Color	Tagalog Name	Eggshell Color	Market Preference	PHP Premium
🦢 White	Puti	White / Light blue	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highest — balut & salted eggs)	+10–15%
🟤 Wild Type / Pharaoh	Kastilyo	Speckled brown	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Standard wet market)	Base price
🔵 Tibetan	Tibetan	Blue-green	⭐⭐⭐ (Growing demand)	+5–10%
🟡 Golden	Gold	Light brown	⭐⭐⭐ (Decorative + production)	+5%
⚪ Silver	Silver	White	⭐⭐ (Niche market)	+10%

Philippine Regulations & Permits

⚠️ Regulatory Requirements

Operating a quail farm in the Philippines requires several permits and registrations. Non-compliance can result in fines or closure. Start the process early — some permits take weeks to obtain.

Required Permits & Registrations

Permit / Registration	Issuing Agency	Estimated Cost (PHP)	Processing Time	Renewal
Business Name Registration (BNR)	DTI (local) or SEC (corporation)	₱200 – ₱2,000	1–3 days	5 years
Mayor's Permit	Local Government Unit (LGU)	₱500 – ₱5,000	1–2 weeks	Annual
BIR Registration (TIN)	Bureau of Internal Revenue	Free	1–3 days	N/A
Sanitary / Health Permit	City/Municipal Health Office	₱200 – ₱1,000	1–2 weeks	Annual
Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)	DENR (for large operations)	₱3,000 – ₱50,000	1–3 months	Per project
Transport Permit for Live Birds	BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry)	₱100 – ₱500	1–5 days	Per trip
Poultry Farm Registration	BAI (for commercial scale)	₱1,000 – ₱5,000	2–4 weeks	Annual

Key Government Agencies

🏛️ DA — Department of Agriculture

Overall policy and support programs
Provides subsidised feeds and chicks through RCEF
Provincial and municipal agriculture offices

🐕 BAI — Bureau of Animal Industry

Regulates poultry farming standards
Issues transport and health certificates
Manages disease surveillance and response

💰 DTI — Dept. of Trade & Industry

Business name registration
SME support programs and loans
Product standards and labelling

🌿 DENR — Dept. of Environment

Environmental compliance for large farms
Waste disposal regulations
Land use permits

Startup Costs (in Philippine Pesos)

💡 Pro Tip: Start Small, Scale Smart

Many successful Filipino quail farmers started with just 50–100 birds and reinvested profits. The backyard model requires minimal capital and can generate PHP 3,000–8,000/month in extra income.

Backyard Setup (50–100 birds)

Item	Quantity	Unit Cost (₱)	Total (₱)
Day-old chicks or point-of-lay hens	50–100	₱15 – ₱30	₱750 – ₱3,000
Improvised bamboo/wood cage	2–3 units	₱300 – ₱800	₱600 – ₱2,400
Feeding troughs & water dispensers	Set	₱200 – ₱500	₱200 – ₱500
Feeds (1 month starter)	2–3 sacks	₱850 – ₱1,200	₱1,700 – ₱3,600
Vitamins & supplements	1 set	₱100 – ₱300	₱100 – ₱300
Permits (Mayor's + DTI)	—	—	₱700 – ₱5,000
TOTAL BACKYARD SETUP			₱4,050 – ₱14,800

Small Commercial Setup (500–1,000 birds)

Item	Quantity	Unit Cost (₱)	Total (₱)
Point-of-lay hens (6 weeks+)	500–1,000	₱25 – ₱35	₱12,500 – ₱35,000
Galvanised wire cages (battery type)	10–20 units	₱1,500 – ₱3,000	₱15,000 – ₱60,000
Automated watering system	1 set	₱5,000 – ₱15,000	₱5,000 – ₱15,000
Feed storage (metal bins)	2–4	₱1,500 – ₱3,000	₱3,000 – ₱12,000
Feeds (first 3 months)	20–40 sacks	₱850 – ₱1,200	₱17,000 – ₱48,000
Vitamins, dewormers, vaccines	—	—	₱2,000 – ₱5,000
Lighting system	1 set	₱2,000 – ₱8,000	₱2,000 – ₱8,000
Permits & registrations	—	—	₱5,000 – ₱15,000
TOTAL COMMERCIAL SETUP			₱61,500 – ₱198,000

Monthly Operating Costs

Expense Category	50 birds (₱)	100 birds (₱)	500 birds (₱)	1,000 birds (₱)
Feeds (layer mash)	850 – 1,200	1,700 – 2,400	8,500 – 12,000	17,000 – 24,000
Vitamins & supplements	100 – 200	200 – 400	500 – 1,000	1,000 – 2,000
Water (electricity for pump)	50 – 100	100 – 200	300 – 600	600 – 1,200
Litter / bedding	50 – 100	100 – 200	500 – 1,000	1,000 – 2,000
Electricity (lighting + fans)	200 – 400	300 – 600	1,000 – 2,500	2,000 – 5,000
Labour (casual/helper)	0 (owner)	0 (owner)	5,000 – 8,000	10,000 – 15,000
Miscellaneous (repairs, transport)	200 – 300	300 – 500	1,000 – 2,000	2,000 – 4,000
TOTAL MONTHLY	₱1,450 – ₱2,300	₱2,700 – ₱4,300	₱16,800 – ₱27,100	₱33,600 – ₱53,200

Revenue Projections (Philippine Market)

💰 Philippine Egg Prices (2024–2025)

Prices vary by location and season. Metro Manila wet markets: ₱1.00–₱1.50/egg. Restaurants & specialty stores: ₱1.50–₱2.50/egg. Balut & salted egg processing: ₱2.00–₱3.00/egg. Direct-to-consumer (online): ₱1.50–₱2.00/egg.

Scale	Monthly Eggs	Revenue @ ₱1.00/egg	Revenue @ ₱1.50/egg	Monthly Cost	Net Profit @ ₱1.50
50 hens	1,100–1,300	₱1,100 – ₱1,300	₱1,650 – ₱1,950	₱1,450 – ₱2,300	₱200 – ₱500
100 hens	2,300–2,700	₱2,300 – ₱2,700	₱3,450 – ₱4,050	₱2,700 – ₱4,300	₱300 – ₱1,350
500 hens	11,500–13,500	₱11,500 – ₱13,500	₱17,250 – ₱20,250	₱16,800 – ₱27,100	₱450 – ₱3,150
1,000 hens	23,000–27,000	₱23,000 – ₱27,000	₱34,500 – ₱40,500	₱33,600 – ₱53,200	₱900 – ₱6,900

⚠️ Break-Even Reality Check

At ₱1.00/egg wet market prices, most small-scale operations barely break even. Profitability comes from:

Volume: 500+ birds to cover fixed costs
Value-add: Balut (₱2–3/egg), salted eggs (₱2.50–₱3.50/egg), pickled eggs (₱5–₱8/egg)
Direct sales: Online, restaurants, and catering (₱1.50–₱2.50/egg)
Meat sales: Dress quail at ₱40–₱80/bird for additional income
Waste sales: Manure as organic fertilizer (₱5–₱10/kg)

Local Feeds & Feed Sources

The Philippines has several major feed manufacturers producing poultry feed. For quail farming, you can use commercial layer mash or mix your own feeds using locally available ingredients.

Commercial Feeds Available Locally

Brand	Product	Protein %	Price/Sack (₱)	Availability
B-MEG (San Miguel)	Optimax Layer Mash	16–18%	₱1,100 – ₱1,300	Nationwide
Purina	Egg Layers Mash	16–17%	₱1,050 – ₱1,250	Nationwide
Vitarich	Complete Layer Feed	16–18%	₱950 – ₱1,150	Luzon & Visayas
Interfish	Poultry Layer Mash	16–17%	₱900 – ₱1,100	Regional
CP Feeds	Egg Production Feed	16–18%	₱1,000 – ₱1,200	Nationwide

DIY Feed Ingredients (Locally Available)

Ingredient	Protein %	Source in PH	Cost/kg (₱)	Notes
Rice bran (darak)	12–14%	Rice mills, talipapa	₱12 – ₱18	Primary energy source; buy fresh
Ground corn (mais)	8–10%	Palengke, feed stores	₱20 – ₱28	Yellow corn preferred for xanthophyll
Soybean meal	44–48%	Feed mills, importers	₱30 – ₱42	Best plant protein source
Fish meal (isdang dede)	60–65%	Coastal areas, feed stores	₱45 – ₱70	Use fresh, not rancid; high quality protein
Copra meal	20–24%	Coconut mills, feed stores	₱10 – ₱15	Good fiber; limit to 10% of diet
Ipil-ipil meal	30–40%	Rural areas, farms	₱8 – ₱15	Must be dehulled to remove mimosine
Charcoal (uling)	—	Any market	₱5 – ₱10	Grit source; 1–2% of diet

Recommended DIY Layer Mix (per 50 kg sack)

🌾 Budget-Friendly Philippine Layer Mix

Ingredient	Kilograms	Estimated Cost (₱)
Rice bran (darak)	20 kg	₱260 – ₱360
Ground corn	18 kg	₱360 – ₱504
Soybean meal	8 kg	₱240 – ₱336
Fish meal	3 kg	₱135 – ₱210
Mineral premix	0.5 kg	₱25 – ₱50
Salt	0.3 kg	₱5 – ₱10
Vitamin premix	0.2 kg	₱30 – ₱60
Calcium supplement (oyster shell)	— (free choice)	—

Estimated cost per 50 kg batch: ₱1,055 – ₱1,530 (₱21 – ₱31/kg vs. ₱22 – ₱26/kg commercial)

Climate & Seasonal Considerations

☀️ Dry Season (March–May)

Temperature: 32–40°C
Risk of heat stress — increase ventilation
Increase water with electrolytes
Add vitamin C to water (500mg/L)
Shade structures are critical
Egg production may drop 10–20%

🌧️ Wet Season (June–November)

Flooding risk in low-lying areas
High humidity promotes disease
Increase biosecurity measures
Keep feed dry — use elevated bins
Watch for respiratory issues
Foot bath at cage entrance (change daily)

🌸 Cool Season (December–February)

Temperature: 22–28°C (ideal!)
Peak egg production period
Best time to start breeding
Lower disease incidence
Plan expansion during this season
Christmas demand = premium prices

Market Channels in the Philippines

Channel	Price Range (₱/egg)	Volume Potential	Effort Level	Best For
🏪 Wet market (talipapa)	₱0.80 – ₱1.20	High	Low	High volume, consistent income
🍽️ Restaurants & carinderias	₱1.20 – ₱1.80	Medium	Medium	Better margins, relationship-based
📱 Online / Social Media	₱1.50 – ₱2.00	Low–Medium	High	Premium pricing, direct customers
🛒 Grocery & supermarket	₱1.30 – ₱1.80	High	High (standards)	Volume with branding opportunity
🫙 Balut / salted egg processor	₱1.00 – ₱1.50 (raw)	High	Low	Quick cash turnover
🎊 Events & catering	₱1.50 – ₱2.50	Variable	Medium	High margin, seasonal demand
🥗 Health food niche	₱2.00 – ₱3.00	Low	High (marketing)	Premium segment, growing market

Popular Filipino Quail Dishes

🥚 Kwek-Kwek

Deep-fried quail eggs coated in orange batter. Iconic Filipino street food!

Selling price: ₱15–₱25 per stick (3 eggs)
Best season: All year (higher in December)
Profit margin: 60–70%
Where sold: Street vendors, schools, markets

🧂 Itlog na Maalat (Salted Quail Eggs)

Quail eggs preserved in salt brine. Popular side dish and gift.

Selling price: ₱5–₱10 per piece
Curing time: 2–3 weeks
Profit margin: 50–65%
Where sold: Deli shops, online, pasalubong

🍳 Penoy

Steamed/fertilized quail egg. Similar to balut but with a formed chick.

Selling price: ₱5–₱10 per piece
Incubation: 14–16 days
Profit margin: 40–55%
Where sold: Wet markets, street stalls

🍖 Adobong Pugo

Quail adobo — soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves. Filipino comfort food.

Selling price: ₱40–₱80 per serving (4–5 birds)
Restaurant price: ₱150–₱250
Profit margin: 45–60%
Where sold: Restaurants, carinderias

Top Suppliers & Sources in the Philippines

Live Birds & Hatching Eggs

Supplier	Location	Specialty	Contact Method
Quail Farm PH	Laguna	Point-of-lay hens, hatching eggs	Facebook Page
Coturnix Breeders PH	Cavite	Jumbo Coturnix, color varieties	Facebook Group
Bulacan Quail Farm	Bulacan	Bulk day-old chicks	Direct / FB
Rizal Quail Hatchery	Rizal	Hatching eggs, started pullets	Facebook Marketplace
DepEd / DAR Quail Programs	Various	Government-subsidized chicks	Local agriculture office

Equipment & Cages

Supplier	Location	Products	Price Range
Welded Wire PH	Calabarzon	Galvanised wire cages, custom builds	₱1,200 – ₱5,000/unit
Lazada / Shopee	Online	Feeders, waterers, incubators	₱100 – ₱15,000
DA-RFU Equipment	Regional	Subsidized poultry equipment	Varies (sometimes free)
Local Welding Shops	Barangay-level	Custom cage fabrication	₱800 – ₱3,000/unit

Feeds & Supplements

Source	What's Available	Best For
Local feed dealer (talyero)	Commercial layer mash, concentrates	Convenience, consistent quality
Rice mill (rice bran / darak)	Fresh rice bran	DIY feed mixing — buy fresh daily
Palengke (wet market)	Corn, vegetables, kitchen scraps	Supplementary feeding
Merck / Zoetis / Virbac	Vitamins, dewormers, antibiotics	Health management

Government Support Programs

🏛️ Free & Subsidized Support

The Philippine government offers several programs to support backyard and small-scale poultry farmers. Check with your municipal agriculture office for availability.

Program	Agency	What You Get	Eligibility
RCEF — Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund	DA	Free or subsidized chicks, feeds, and training for rice farmers diversifying into livestock	Rice farmers (landowners or tenants)
Suklang Sakayan Program	DA-ATI	Free training on quail production, housing, and marketing	Any aspiring farmer
Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK)	DA + SM Foundation	Free training, seeds, and livestock for rural communities	Rural poor communities
Survival and Recovery (SURE) Program	Landbank	Low-interest loans (3%) for disaster-affected farmers	Verified disaster victims
Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education	CHED	Free agriculture courses for children of farmers	Enrolled students

Filipino Success Stories

🌟 From 50 Birds to 5,000

A former OFW in Laguna started with 50 quail birds using savings. Within 3 years, expanded to 5,000 birds supplying restaurants in Metro Manila. Key success factors: consistent quality, direct restaurant relationships, and value-added products (salted eggs).

Monthly revenue: ₱250,000 – ₱350,000

🌟 Youth Quail Farmer

A college student in Bulacan started quail farming as a project. Used social media (TikTok & Facebook) to sell directly to consumers. Now earns ₱15,000–₱20,000/month while studying. Focuses on fresh eggs delivered same-day.

Startup cost: ₱8,000 only

🌟 Cooperative Model

A 4H Club chapter in Batangas organized 15 members into a quail cooperative. Shared incubation facilities, bulk-purchased feeds at 15% discount, and collectively marketed eggs to a grocery chain. Each member earns ₱5,000–₱10,000/month.

Key insight: Cooperative buying power

Common Mistakes Filipino Quail Farmers Make

🚫 Avoid These Pitfalls

Buying too many birds too soon. Start with 50–100, master the basics, then scale.
Using wrong feeds. Chicken layer mash works but is not ideal. Quail need 24–28% protein as chicks and 16–18% as layers.
Ignoring ventilation in tropical heat. Quail die quickly from heat stress. Ensure cross-ventilation and shade.
No record keeping. Track egg production, feed consumption, and mortality from day one.
Skipping permits. The LGU can shut you down. Get your Mayor's permit and sanitary permit first.
Not processing waste. Quail manure is valuable fertilizer — sell it or compost it.
Single market dependency. Diversify: sell to wet markets, restaurants, online, and process some into balut/salted eggs.
Ignoring biosecurity. One disease outbreak can wipe out your entire flock. Invest in basic biosecurity.

Philippine Startup Checklist

✅ Step-by-Step Philippine Startup Guide

Research & Planning (Week 1–2)
- Visit local quail farms — observe and ask questions
- Join Facebook groups: "Quail Farming Philippines", "Coturnix Breeders PH"
- Decide on scale (backyard vs. commercial)
- Create a simple business plan with projected costs
Permits & Registration (Week 2–4)
- Register business name at DTI
- Get TIN from BIR
- Apply for Mayor's permit at LGU
- Get sanitary permit from City Health
Set Up Housing (Week 3–5)
- Build or buy cages appropriate for your bird count
- Install waterers and feeders
- Set up lighting (14–16 hours for layers)
- Ensure ventilation and shade
Source Birds & Feeds (Week 4–6)
- Buy point-of-lay hens (6+ weeks) for faster return
- Establish feed supply — local dealer or DIY mixing
- Buy vitamins, dewormer, and calcium supplement
Start Farming (Week 6+)
- Introduce birds to cages gradually
- Monitor egg production daily
- Begin marketing before eggs arrive
- Keep records from day one
Scale & Optimize (Month 3+)
- Reinvest profits to expand flock
- Add value-added products (balut, salted eggs)
- Explore additional market channels
- Consider breeding your own replacements

Quick Reference Card

6–8 weeks