About Texas Quail Farms
Texas Quail Farms, Inc., founded in 2003 with headquarters in Lockhart, Texas, is the largest state inspected quail processing plant in Texas. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based quail products ranging from whole birds to semi-boneless birds, including gourmet specialties like bacon-wrapped breasts and legs.
TQF distributes throughout Texas and coast to coast to the retail and foodservice markets including retail grocers, health food stores, gourmet restaurants, foodservice providers, caterers and to all those customers who just love to eat quail.
Our Core Values
Sustainability is an important part of the culture at Texas Quail Farms, and we take very seriously the company’s responsibilities to customers, employees and the communities where we live and work. TQF strives to operate with integrity and care, and is committed to serving the best quality quail to its customers. The company also aims to provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, environment and land entrusted to it.
Sustainable
We use sound sustainable solutions to produce our Texas Prime Quail. Providing a sustainable product is a top priority at Texas Quail Farms, because it’s not only what our customers want, but it’s the right thing to do. Our vertical integration and closed flock gives us the ability to maintain high standards and control the environment in which our birds are raised and produced. By growing locally, we reduce the transportation necessary to produce our premium products. By producing our own eggs from our breeder birds, we maintain our self-sustaining operation. We also reduce the chemical fertilizer used on local farms by dispersing the manure and litter from our quail production to local farms. We minimize our energy usage by utilizing natural ventilation, recycled products for bedding and low-energy lighting.
Local
We support our local economy. We purchase local. We hire local. We grow birds local. We also support the local chapters of the Boy Scouts of America. We want to help the local families and economy by providing dignified job opportunities and supporting local businesses.
Gourmet Quality
Our all natural Texas Prime Quail is bigger, more flavorful and juicy. Our Texas quail are hand processed and fed high-quality feed. In contrast, most east coast quail are mass produced, machine processed and pumped full of brine solution which may increase the water weight content of the meat, but reduces the natural flavor. By using genetic selection, we ensure that our Texas Prime Quail are fast-growing, heavy, and large-breasted birds. Our breed of quail was developed through genetic selection by Texas A&M University to improve the poultry industry by enhancing the meat characteristics, including larger birds.
Product History
Texas A&M Gourmet Quail
Texas Quail Farms raises Texas A&M Gourmet Quail that was developed by Dr. Fred Thornberry, now professor emeritus with the department of poultry science at Texas A&M University. The breed was developed through genetic selection to improve the poultry industry by enhancing the meat characteristics, including larger birds. The meat has a lighter color and more appealing texture than most other quail found in the meat section of the local grocery in North America.
Founder of TQF, Todd Smith studied poultry under Dr. Thornberry in 1993-1996 while pursuing his undergraduate and masters degree from Texas A&M. After seeing the superior quality of the Texas A&M Gourmet Quail compared to the other quail, Todd decided this was the only quail worth providing to his customers. Today our superior quail retain the same succulent flavor, large size and tender meat that make Texas A&M Gourmet great. See What People Are Saying About Us and our quail.
Stewardship
We treat our animals with dignity and care. Using high quality feed, abundant space to thrive and a clean environment, we produce the best premium birds in North America! Just ask our customers.
Healthy
Texas Quail is a low-fat, low-sodium and healthy alternative to beef, pork and chicken. Our quail is All-Natural with no added flavors and not soaked or pumped with salt water.
Thank you for your interest and business.