There's a growing concern among those living in suburbs and in the city. In the advent of more food shortages, how would they be able to provide themselves with a reliable protein source.

The answer may be surprising. Quail. Quail are small gamebirds that like to be close together and do well in small areas. They fit in hutches, dog kennels, bird cages, and even fish tanks. And they are very easy to process.

Virginia recently came out with a new law prohibiting the outside processing of animals in many suburb areas and within the city limits. This has made it necessary for many to either give up their ability to be more self-sufficient or set up an inside processing area.

If this is an option that interests you, read on for how to set up a processing room right inside your home.

Step 1: Cover a Flat Surface with Plastic

For a fast and easy cleanup, it's best to cover the surface you choose to use with plastic. I had extra greenhouse plastic for winterizing my quail aviary that worked great. (affiliate link) It's thick, and very easy to wipe off and fold up for later.

Any flat surface can work. A counter, kitchen table, coffee table, etc. The first time I processed a quail inside, I used a footstool with a bucket as my chair.

Whenever I set up, I like to ask: "Would Dexter Morgan approve?" For my footstool setup, he absolutely would not have. It was a bloody mess.

It's important to not cheap out and use a minimal amount of plastic while processing. Quail are relatively clean, but if a mistake is made blood can get everywhere.

Make sure the entire work area is covered. Not only the surface, but down in front of it, and along the floor. If the surface is close to a wall, I recommend covering that too.

I didn't think of covering the surface behind my stool the first time I processed quail inside, and during the culling stage blood spurted all over a dresser. I flinched while decapitating the bird, which caused me to pull the body up above the lip of the bucket. Luckily, the dresser was black and easy to wipe off.

Another time I hadn't lined the floor properly and got blood across the cement and over my foot.

Trust me, it’s not that hard to keep from making a mess when you process inside. I just cut the plastic wrong and was trying to be cheap and not use more plastic until I got my money's worth out my mistake.

Step 2: Have a Bucket Ready

You will need somewhere to put discarded parts of the bird. I use a 5-gallon bucket. A smaller size would work fine but with the bigger bucket you can put the bird in a good distance to ensure no blood spatter when decapitating.

Depending on what you plan to do with the feathers, blood, and innards, you may want to line the bucket with a trash bag. That way, if you bring it to the dump, it's a fast and easy cleanup.

Personally, I bury everything in my compost pile. I like to dig a hole, pour in the blood, feathers, and discarded innards, then cover it with a foot or two of manure covered bedding. I've never had a predator dig anything up, but you must make your own judgment call on that one.

For those who live in the city or suburb areas and have a backyard, I've heard of people digging a deep hole and putting all their compost materials in there. They turn it when they add material. Then when the time comes, they use it for their garden.

Step 3: Sanitize the Area

Cleaning the area before using it is the best practice. I do this mainly to ensure no spots were missed after the last processing day. And if it's the first time using the plastic, it wipes off anything that may have gotten on the material during shipping or packaging.

Step 4: Put Water in a Large Bowl

After the bird is fully skinned or plucked, I place the carcass in a large glass bowl filled with water. This helps rinse off blood and small pieces of missed innards and feathers.

If it's a very hot day, and I have several quail to process, it also keeps the meat cool, and prevents it from drying out.

Step 5: Have Sharp Scissors

Quail are very easy to process without the use of equipment. All you need is a sharp pair of scissors. They don't have to be expensive.

I bought mine off Amazon. (affiliate link)

The scissors decapitate the quail quickly and humanely. If you’re worried about doing it yourself, (it is more difficult to make a clean cut) have someone assist you during this stage.

They’ll need to get a firm grip on the head and gently extend the neck. Put the quail as far into the bucket as you can. Make sure your scissors aren’t near your partner's fingers and squeeze firmly. Do not hesitate or pull up.

Don’t worry, you won’t always need the extra hands. Once you get used to the process, it’s very doable to accomplish this on your own,

Step 6: Wet Cloth or Paper Towel

This step isn't necessary. However, there's usually something that distracts me during the processing that requires me to wipe the blood, feathers, or innards off my fingers.

I use a paper towel, but a wet cloth is a great idea.

Step 7: Put Together a Quail Holding Area

I like to transport and keep my quail in a tote topped with chicken wire. Quail like to pop up and try to fly away so the chicken wire not only keeps them in but provides good air flow while they're waiting for their turn.

I don't securely anchor the wire on one side which makes it easy to lift and reach in for the quail.

If you don’t have a place for a compost pile, or you don’t live in an area that provides you a dumpster, I highly recommend processing quail the day before garbage pickup.

For more information on how to process a quail using only a sharp pair of scissors check out my YouTube video.