My quail just started laying yesterday and it was exciting.
I have always kept chickens, hatching my own usually, so the time from egg to their own eggs is often almost a year. These little coturnix quail are amazing! From hatch (which is only 17 days) to adult laying hen is only 8 weeks! My chickens, which I hatched in April, are still NOT laying! So, yeah, I was pretty excited to see these darling little bundles in the quail house.
They started out as little eggs I ordered in the mail and that post is HERE if you are interested.
My advice to any beginning homesteader is consider quail. It is amazing how quickly the turn around. And they need much less housing as they are smaller. I am providing mine with a run on the ground with lots of branches and brush to hide is, as is their natural habitat. Some people keep them above the ground in wire cages. I want them to have a good life and be able to experience as much natural surroundings as possible, especially since they are providing me with delicious eggs so quickly.
Have a great day and if you can't keep quail, then at least get some of their eggs at a health food store, they are worth it, believe me.