By Chantalé Fletcher
LOOKING for the next big food craze? Why not try quail eggs which are bite-sized protein balls available in Trinidad and Tobago.
Television influences our actions. Suzell Mohammed, 31, interest was sparked for quails after on a segment of Cup of Joe.
This interest birthed Trinidad Quail Limited, a family-owned and homestead located at St Julien Road, Princes Town. A team effort, the business consisted of Mohammed’s parents, sister and seven-year-old niece.
In a recent interview with AZPNews.com, Mohammed recalled that on the show, Joel Villlafana, UWI Professor Dr Wayne Ganpat, Omardath Maharaj were shown by Chef Cherly-Ann Charles a nutritious breakfast made from quail eggs.
She thought of quails as a new venture as her family already owned a variety of poultry. “Although there were imported eggs, we wanted to supply the niche market with a local supply and such the investment began.”
Introducing the Quail
There are more than 20 species of quail around the world, but for Trinidad Quail Limited, the Japanese Coturnix variety was its only star with its famous brown spots.
Mohammed described them as flighty birds.
“Their cages were spacious, well ventilated, lit, properly secured and spacious to accommodate at least 50 chicks. We believe that happy and comfortable birds equalled good egg production. So, it was very important to ensure they weren’t stressed as this could result in poor laying and ill birds.”
Quails grow into mature birds within two months and at this stage, they could also be harvested for their meat.
“They start laying between six to seven weeks old, but they do not sit on their eggs to hatch, hence we invested in a local incubating machine which cost $2,500.
“This machine helped us incubate our own eggs, so we could produce our own chicks which would eventually increase the flock.”
Mohammed said the first investment occurred in first in December 2020 with 30 chicks, but after further research, they invested in another 100 around April 2021 which resulted to a stall at the Santa Cruz Green Market at the end of May.
“When we purchased the 30 chicks, the eggs lay helped us to start and the100 hens started producing which gave us a constant supply.”
Operations
She said, “Monday to Friday, my mother takes care of them under the supervision of my seven-year-old niece who actively participated in the business even with her own ducks, yet she was fascinated with the quails due to their size.
“Every day, she would accompany her grandmother to care for the quails. She knows everything and even helps me package the eggs and sticks the labels on the crates. However, on a weekend I take over due to my full-time job.”
Every bird laid one egg per day for two years, but the maximum production time was one year and as they aged production decreased.
Mohammed said they averaged the sale of 120 dozen eggs per month at $25 retail price and this amounted to an average income of $3,000 per month.
She said, “From the sales, the profit is still small as we have the better retail prices of $25 which we try to maintain with free delivery nationwide.”
Mohammed boasted that their Quails were quite unique as they took extra care beginning with their diet. “Though, we fed them a mixture of commercial-grade feed, laying marsh and a special blend of our homegrown oregano and sesame seeds mixed with sunflower seeds, pumpkin, their favourite are watermelon and other fruits found at home.
“Vitamins were also important for a healthy bird and then egg.”
Recommendations
Mohammed suggested that Government consider investing in large quail production for both eggs and meat. “Incentives should be created for farmers to produce on a mass scale, as they contain more protein require less space when compared to ducks and chickens and they produce at a faster rate.”
She also hoped that the Ministry of Agriculture would provide advice and step by step videos regarding quails just like they have with rabbit production in the near future.
“However, I felt that it was more my job to educate others about the new product and hopefully if the government sees it as beneficial to the economy, mass production could begin. So, I try to incorporate it into my cooking and show the different ways it could be used.”
Uses of Quail
Quail meat was very popular in the United Kingdom, United States and Latin America.
Mohammed said quails though tiny, could be used just as chicken. “A lot of our customers enjoyed the meat, so we decided to offer them for Christmas, persons could get two processed adult male quails for $120 or three live males for $120. “Let your dinner become the talk of the town,” she said.
In addition, there were a variety of dishes that could be made from curry to BBQ quail and more, it just required an open mind and taste bud, Mohammed noted.
However, for baking purposes, she said, “Quail eggs should be substituted, four to every one chicken egg.”
Recipe
Mohammed shared her recipe, her twist on banana quail milk drink:
- Four ripe bananas
- Three Quail eggs
- Cinnamon\ vanilla essence\nutmeg
- Your choice of milk
She also said that the eggs were excellent in salads for those weight watchers.
Research also showed that quail eggs contained more protein than chicken eggs and contain double the iron and more vitamin B12.
Growth and Expansion
Full of faith, Mohammed believed that within the next ten years, Trinidad Quail Limited products would be in every poultry shop, groceries and BBQ outlets. “I want quails to be on every Sunday lunch menu.”
She said, “Early next year, we want to approach the groceries and supermarkets so right now it is important to increase the flock to be able to provide a constant supply. We are also in talks with other shops and have given them samples, for them to try the eggs with their customers.”
For now, Mohammed said that eggs were at the Santa Crus Green Market from 6am to 1pm on Saturdays and at the Gourmet Genie in San Fernando.
“However, we also offer free delivery nationwide mostly on Sundays.”
Interested in quail eggs or meat, contact Suzell at 773-9198 or visit Trinidad Quail Limited on Facebook for more information.
