➡ Quail Hatch Along🥚

[Kiki]

She can't possibly continue to lay eggs this big can she?
I just opened yesterday's and one of the yolks is clearly fertile.

 

[ShrekDawg]

She can't possibly continue to lay eggs this big can she?
I just opened yesterday's and one of the yolks is clearly fertile.
View attachment 1997574 View attachment 1997575 View attachment 1997576

Set them!!!

 

[Sara L]

She can't possibly continue to lay eggs this big can she?
I just opened yesterday's and one of the yolks is clearly fertile.
View attachment 1997574 View attachment 1997575 View attachment 1997576

If she just started laying, she should settle down soon and have normal eggs. If she continues to have doubles she might end up with reproductive system issues.

 

[CindyinSD]

I mean, I probably could but idk. So far I only have 3 definite boys so I could probably keep them all for now but once they start crowing I’m not sure.

My parents don’t really want a rooster but I think they’ll be okay with it cause I hatched them. My mom might even want to. But the coops are right outside our bedroom windows and we also have close neighbors back there so if they all start crowing...

I could potentially keep them in the garage if they crow a ton but not ideal.

I might just have to choose and see and hope I don’t choose wrong.

I honestly almost ordered some OEGB straight run cause I wanted a roo but I kinda wanna keep one I hatch but idk.

I am getting those straight run bantam Cochins so maybe I’ll just keep one of those instead.

Here’s an evaluation form for chicks I found at a Buckeye breed site, but I think it would be reasonably applicable to other breeds. It’s not going to apply to rooster performance but it should help you choose a chick with the potential to be a good physical specimen.

Choosing a good rooster will take longer than just waiting until the males reach sexual maturity. Young roosters often start out being really rough on the girls because—I don’t know—they don’t know any better? They’re so hormonal they can’t help it? There may be no older roosters or even older, experienced hens who know how to put overly randy roolets in their place?

I’ve found that the boys do settle down after a while, but I can keep as many roosters as I like for as long as I choose. You can have one (which is one more than most backyard flocksters can get away with keeping). Keeping all your males long enough to (hopefully) make an informed decision on temperament just doesn’t sound very feasible in your situation.

I think I’d go with one (or two at most) that looks to have the potential for being a good-lookin’ studly stud. If he turns out (after giving him time to settle in) to be a jerk, get another rooster. They’re not exactly scarce.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Here’s an evaluation form for chicks I found at a Buckeye breed site, but I think it would be reasonably applicable to other breeds. It’s not going to apply to rooster performance but it should help you choose a chick with the potential to be a good physical specimen.

Choosing a good rooster will take longer than just waiting until the males reach sexual maturity. Young roosters often start out being really rough on the girls because—I don’t know—they don’t know any better? They’re so hormonal they can’t help it? There may be no older roosters or even older, experienced hens who know how to put overly randy roolets in their place?

I’ve found that the boys do settle down after a while, but I can keep as many roosters as I like for as long as I choose. You can have one (which is one more than most backyard flocksters can get away with keeping). Keeping all your males long enough to (hopefully) make an informed decision on temperament just doesn’t sound very feasible in your situation.

I think I’d go with one (or two at most) that looks to have the potential for being a good-lookin’ studly stud. If he turns out (after giving him time to settle in) to be a jerk, get another rooster. They’re not exactly scarce.

Thanks for all the great information and that chart!!! This is extremely helpful!!! You are right that keeping them all to maturity really isn’t feasible and I am worried that I will choose the wrong rooster because they do take so long to settle down and know for sure.

I do have older hens I could put him with but I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to keep these chicks separate or put them with the others. I would like to put the rooster with the others but idk. But I have six 4 year old hens as well as five 9 month old pullets I got in April so I’m sure some of them would be glad to tell the rooster off hah

I just don’t know if keeping one is even a good idea. I have this idea I guess, probably kind of a dream or idyllic or romanticized vision, of having a rooster where it’s going to be great and he’s going to protect the girls and they’ll all just run around happily and/or I could hatch his chicks but realistically owning a rooster is probably a pain in the rear and I don’t even know if I should do it.

A lot to think about I guess.

 

[Kiki]

If she just started laying, she should settle down soon and have normal eggs. If she continues to have doubles she might end up with reproductive system issues.

It was only her 2nd and 3rd egg.
#3:

 

[Kiki]

Set them!!!

I set one.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I set one.

Good!!! Maybe you can use her to increase the egg size in your quailies.

Set more!!!

 

[Pennys Mama]

What are the chances I can just plug & go with this FREE bator???

I do not have extra quail rails though, will the rolly slidey thingy that came with my GQF work for quail eggs? Or do I just use these rails?

 

[RUNuts]

What are the chances I can just plug & go with this FREE bator???

I do not have extra quail rails though, will the rolly slidey thingy that came with my GQF work for quail eggs? Or do I just use these rails?

Test it for a week. I put quail eggs in the chicken slots. Turns out I don't need to hatch more than 40 quail eggs at a time because 20 chicks poop a lot. Need to modify my brooder plans.