➡ Quail Hatch Along🥚

[007Sean]

I currently have my baby quail in the basement and I’ve found it’s a lot easier to feed and water them if I only keep the heat lamps on and no other lights. If I turn on the lights in the basement they flip their lids when I reach my hand down in the brooder. Is it ok to just have the light from the heat lamp? It’s the red light.

Yes, 'red light' is better than 'white light'. Red light calms them down makes them less likely to peck at other birds.
The only birds I know of that do better in 'white light' are partridges. For some reason 'red light' makes them 'bunch up'. Partridges tend to bunch up in darken corners, white light prevents that from occurring. Another way to prevent 'bunching' is to have a circular brooder.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Yes, 'red light' is better than 'white light'. Red light calms them down makes them less likely to peck at other birds.
The only birds I know of that do better in 'white light' are partridges. For some reason 'red light' makes them 'bunch up'. Partridges tend to bunch up in darken corners, white light prevents that from occurring. Another way to prevent 'bunching' is to have a circular brooder.

This is 100% true usually and they should definitely just use their red light, but omg I have a batch of CRYBABIES this time who are afraid of the dark and shriek if I turn off the overhead even with their nightlight.

 

[007Sean]

@007Sean if Bobwhites have been in an ideal growing environment from hatch, when do they start laying eggs? And when is it a good idea to start collecting them for hatching? I specifically bought Wisconsin Giant Bobwhites.

Bob's will mature at 6 to 8 weeks after hatching. They will not lay eggs until the 1st breeding season after hatching.
So if they hatched last spring (May) they won't lay until the following spring...late (April or May). This is true for my location, your location will determine when your breeding season will occur. My breeding season for my quail occurs May through late August.
That period 'might' be rushed forward by adding artificial lighting to their environment. Seasonal breeders usually only lay between 30 to 50 eggs per bird per season. I've had some that layed close to 100 but that was an exception.

Artificial lighting on seasonal breeders is not good for the overall health of the birds. Puts way to much stress on the hens reproductive system. They will live shorter life spans due to the nutritional demands made upon their bodies. I don't recommend artificial lighting for seasonal breeders.

 

[CayugaJana]

This is 100% true usually and they should definitely just use their red light, but omg I have a batch of CRYBABIES this time who are afraid of the dark and shriek if I turn off the overhead even with their nightlight.

I’d say!!

 

[007Sean]

I'd say a good time to start collecting them to hatch is one month after they start laying.
At least one month

I'd give them 2 weeks after they start laying. Bob's tend to be fertile sooner than Cot's. I think it has to do with Bob's being seasonal breeders.

 

[CayugaJana]

Bob's will mature at 6 to 8 weeks after hatching. They will not lay eggs until the 1st breeding season after hatching.
So if they hatched last spring (May) they won't lay until the following spring...late (April or May). This is true for my location, your location will determine when your breeding season will occur. My breeding season for my quail occurs May through late August.
That period 'might' be rushed forward by adding artificial lighting to their environment. Seasonal breeders usually only lay between 30 to 50 eggs per bird per season. I've had some that layed close to 100 but that was an exception.

Artificial lighting on seasonal breeders is not good for the overall health of the birds. Puts way to much stress on the hens reproductive system. They will live shorter life spans due to the nutritional demands made upon their bodies. I don't recommend artificial lighting for seasonal breeders.

We have a lot of bird dog training and testing in our area. We are wanting to have 2000 quail by fall and sell all of them except around 100 breeders. So early egg production is something I’m looking into as I don’t plan on keeping all 2000.

 

[007Sean]

We have a lot of bird dog training and testing in our area. We are wanting to have 2000 quail by fall and sell all of them except around 100 breeders. So early egg production is something I’m looking into as I don’t plan on keeping all 2000.

You may have to buy and hatch more eggs the first season to make your quota. Idk, just saying.
I use to raise around 5000 quail every year for many years. I kept 1000 breeders every year for replenishment for the next year.
You have to figure your going to lose a few before next breeding season, too!

 

[CayugaJana]

You may have to buy and hatch more eggs the first season to make your quota. Idk, just saying.
I use to raise around 5000 quail every year for many years. I kept 1000 breeders every year for replenishment for the next year.
You have to figure your going to lose a few before next breeding season, too!

I’m sure you are probably right then. We have a plan but we have never raised quail before so we are learning as we go. Thank you for the advice.

 

[BullChick]

My butter bowl feeder is working out. No one is getting stuck, no evidence of anyone getting inside, and while they are hopping up when I am messing around with them, no poo on the lid.
It holds two cups of feed, and I don’t see any wasted. I’m afraid to use it for water.

 

[007Sean]

I’m sure you are probably right then. We have a plan but we have never raised quail before so we are learning as we go. Thank you for the advice.

Your welcome, anytime. There's a 'learning curve' when you go commercial.