Hi, all! My name is Nicole, my family and I live in the panhandle of Nebraska. Im new to quail, but not new to poultry and livestock. We currently raise chickens (bantam and standards) , turkeys ( a couple Bourbon Reds, a Midget White and a Narraganset) and a pair of Toulouse Geese as far as poultry go. We also raise registered Nubian dairy goats , registered Boer meat goats, Satin rabbits, Mini Rex rabbits, and have a few sheep as well. My 4 kids show allot of the animals at our county fair.
I recently acquired 27 quail chicks about 2 1/2 weeks ago, so I have been a lurker for the last couple weeks trying to learn as much as I can about these lil birds. They were sort of a impulse buy I must admit, but we're really enjoying having them around
I purchased them at a local animal auction and I have to admit I really didn't even know what breed they were as they were only 5 weeks old . I originally thought they were a wild variety and have since learned they are Coturnix. Im pretty sure the majority of them are the browns and a few look to be crossed with the tuxedo as well (they have white on the necks or breast). I had my hubby build a little tractor for them which they really love, the dirt bathing alone is a crack up, plus they love to fly around the little bit they can. I am concerned about predator proofing it more as we do have coyote and owl problems when it comes to poultry around here. Right now its just bird netting with chicken wire over that, so they cant stick their heads out but something else that was determined enough may be able to get through??
The little roos are definitely crowing these days, so Im assuming it wont be long before the hens are laying, right? I haven't bought an incubator yet, up till now all the birds we own sat their eggs without problems. So the whole incubator deal will be another learning experience for us as well! LOL I figure its a needed item I should have bought earlier though as we do loose some of our turkey hens when they insist on setting their nests too far away.
Any words of wisdom and/or advise would be great! I'm going to take a few pics of the birds and the tractor tomorrow morning and post them!
I recently acquired 27 quail chicks about 2 1/2 weeks ago, so I have been a lurker for the last couple weeks trying to learn as much as I can about these lil birds. They were sort of a impulse buy I must admit, but we're really enjoying having them around
Any words of wisdom and/or advise would be great! I'm going to take a few pics of the birds and the tractor tomorrow morning and post them!