a broody button!

[_lizzer_]

So, it's been six days since I move a pair of button quail into a bigger cage, with some more privacy...and my hen laid six eggs, and is now sitting on them! I don't know if she'll stick to it, but we'll see. I don't want any more buttons, but I don't have the heart to take them away from her. So, we'll see if I have some baby buttons in a few weeks!

 

[CoopCrazy]

Awesome let us know if she hatches I have heard they dont make great broodys but man could you imagine how cute it would be with lil ole momma and her teeny tiny babies following behind.. Good Luck

 

[Friend2Fowl]

It's kind of hit-and-miss with buttons. I have one hen that has went broody 3 times, and has yet to hatch any chicks. Though the first time, I did take her eggs away and put them in the incubator. 2 days later I had a baby, then another 2 days later, and 2 days later another, and on and on. She was in a community cage and had been getting donations apparently

If she is in a cage with only her mate, she should do well. Just be careful not to scare her off the nest too much. Is she nesting in or under something, or just on the floor of the cage?

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

I had a button quail hatch and care for her own young until they were old enough to breed.. I had just a pair in a cage to themselves.. I put an upside down butter tub in there and cut a door.. Once she started laying in there. I just let her.. Soon she started to sit on them.. And one day they hatched out.. But make sure its a really big cage.. That way you dont have to clean it that much. If you disturb her she may stop setting. When I had to absolutly clean the cage. I took another butter tub and placed it over her nest so she couldnt get out.. Then I removed the male. Cleaned out as much shavings as I could and put new shavings in.. Be as fast as you can.. Then release her.. She was an excellent mother.. I have pics some where..

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

Best of luck to you... I've seen and heard where they have gone all the way to hatch. If your cage is made of 1/2" wire your going to need to wrap at least the bottom of it with something when they do hatch. Button chicks can squeeze through 1/2" wire.

David

 

[Friend2Fowl]

Quote:
And I don't think it's even a matter of 'squeezing', they are pretty tiny!

 

[_lizzer_]

It is only her and her mate, and they are in a pretty big guinea pig cage. the bottom plastic part is about 8 inches tall, with wire going up about another foot. I don't think I'll have to clean it much, and will try not to bother her. She is just nesting out in the open, on top of some shavings. She has a little house that she could have gone in, but apparently didn't like it. Wish me luck!

 

[_lizzer_]

So, maybe this is a silly question....but if my hen successfully hatches these eggs, should i just leave them in the pen with mom and dad? Or should I move them to a seperate brooder?

 

[Friend2Fowl]

You can leave them in the same pen, but be sure to watch dad. He should help take care of them, but sometimes the males will try to kill the babies. If that happens, then take dad out.

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

If the Hen or the Cock feel there is a shortage of food or water they might kill the chicks..
Sad but they look out for their own survival first.

Make sure they have plenty of food and water and the bottom of the cage is tight enough they couldn't get out.

David