Abandoned Quail Eggs- Advice Please!

[Nabiki]

Do you think I'll need both the heating pad and the red heat lamp? Maybe if the lamp is sitting on top of the lid it won't be too hot with the heating pad. I was thinking of putting them on one side together so the other is completely cool.

I just use a heat lamp, but I also put a thermometer at the warm end and the cool end. I start the warm end at 95-100 farenheit and the cool end about 20 degrees cooler. Watch the chicks. They'll let you know if they're hot or cold. If they're hot, they'll stretch out or pant. If they're cold they'll make a big pile and climb all over each other.

 

[maxride14]

I just use a heat lamp, but I also put a thermometer at the warm end and the cool end. I start the warm end at 95-100 farenheit and the cool end about 20 degrees cooler. Watch the chicks. They'll let you know if they're hot or cold. If they're hot, they'll stretch out or pant. If they're cold they'll make a big pile and climb all over each other.

The lamp and the heating pad combined was too much (about 110 degrees), so I tested each separately. The heating pad could make the dishcloth a little over 100 by itself, and the heat lamp was about 95-100. I'd prefer to keep the heat lamp off at night if it makes them quieter, so would it be okay to use the heat lamp during the day (with the heating pad off) and the heating pad only at night?

 

[Nabiki]

The lamp and the heating pad combined was too much (about 110 degrees), so I tested each separately. The heating pad could make the dishcloth a little over 100 by itself, and the heat lamp was about 95-100. I'd prefer to keep the heat lamp off at night if it makes them quieter, so would it be okay to use the heat lamp during the day (with the heating pad off) and the heating pad only at night?

It won't hurt to try it, but I think it will be too warm after a few days. I start lowering my temperatures after about 3 days. By 2 weeks they may or may not be comfortable at room temp (Depends on the weather. I don't heat my house much). As always, keep an eye on them, and they'll let you know if they're hot or cold.

 

[maxride14]

It won't hurt to try it, but I think it will be too warm after a few days. I start lowering my temperatures after about 3 days. By 2 weeks they may or may not be comfortable at room temp (Depends on the weather. I don't heat my house much). As always, keep an eye on them, and they'll let you know if they're hot or cold.

How do I ease off the heat lamp if there's only one setting? I can keep it in the 95-100 range for the first three days, but how do I go about slowly lowering it from there? It's already in the 80s outside today and it should get to 100 by the end of the week. I just don't know if it'll be a temp shock if I'm introducing them to the outdoors when it's 100+. Thank you for all your advice, it's really helpful

 

[Nabiki]

Raise the heat lamp. That will lower the temp in the brooder. You don't want to introduce them to extreme temps until they are fully feathered. Coturnix quail tolerate cold better than heat. In the high temps make sure they have plenty of water and a breeze if you can arrange it. I take 2 litre soda bottles and fill them 2/3 with water and freeze them. On really hot days I'll put one or two of them in with the quail.

 

[maxride14]

Raise the heat lamp. That will lower the temp in the brooder. You don't want to introduce them to extreme temps until they are fully feathered. Coturnix quail tolerate cold better than heat. In the high temps make sure they have plenty of water and a breeze if you can arrange it. I take 2 litre soda bottles and fill them 2/3 with water and freeze them. On really hot days I'll put one or two of them in with the quail.

The heat lap is on top of the lid, so there isn't really a way to raise the lamp. I do have a fan that could make a small breeze though.

 

[Nabiki]

I use stray bits of 2x2 wood to raise the heat lamp a couple inches at a time. Is there something you can hang it from?

 

[maxride14]

I use stray bits of 2x2 wood to raise the heat lamp a couple inches at a time. Is there something you can hang it from?

Possibly, I'm still trying to figure out where I'm going to put the brooder, but I could put it under some shelves in a closet. I just have to figure out how to hang it from the shelves. I do think I have some spare pieces of wood, so that'll work too.

 

[maxride14]

I checked one egg out of curiosity and I saw a dark spot moving back and forth... I'm so excited!

 

[maxride14]

Since I don't know how old they are, when should I take them out of the cartons and set on the paper towels? Is there anything I should be looking out for before they hatch?