Anybody raise Feathered Mice ?

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

aka Chinese Painted Quail / Button Quail?

I have a broody girl on eggs (due to hatch 1/22) and I'm wondering how safe it is to leave her mate in the cage with her and the hatchlings.
He's been setting the eggs with her and takes a turn during the day while she's off the nest --- he even turns the eggs.

I'm concerned he might hurt the hatchlings (I don't know why I'm not as concerned about the hen , it's her 1st brood, too)

Any tips, tricks, etc.? My 'feathered mice' were all hatched in the bator and this natural brooding is new to me.

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Update:
Hatch day is getting closer

Both Buttons are still on the nest, the female steady and the male off and on. The male paces around the nest making 'small talk' when he isn't on the nest.

I'm still not sure if male quail need to be seperated from the hen and chicks, but I guess I'll know soon.

Lisa

edit: Yes, I always talk to myself

 

[tnokie]

Dipsy I was just curious, how many eggs do they cover. Is it common for buttos to sit?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

I don't have any idea whether they're supposed to be broody or not, lol.
Mine were hatched from a byc members eggs a few months ago and I don't know much about them except what I've read on the web.
She had 7 eggs in the nest when she went broody and I swapped them with 10 eggs from another pen.
She covers the 10 well, but I think that's about the limit.
We'll see tomorrow (with fingers crossed).

Lisa

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Day 16 and Day 17 have come and nearly gone

I caught the hen off the nest and could hear tapping in the egg I checked --- maybe there's a chance they'll just be late.

Lisa

 

[beckt]

Any news on those eggs?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Yaay! Got at least one out this morning --- I see a half shell out from under the hen.
She's hunkered down tight on the nest.

Lisa

edit: She's off the nest with 7 tiny chicks!!

Had to remove the male from the cage. He was picking up the chicks by the toes and flinging them around. Didn't seem to be hurting the chicks, but it was disturbing me.

 

[cindydj]

They are so cute! Glad you got them I would hate to be spun around by my toes! Are these the real tiny Quail?

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Really, REALLY, tiny quail

Here's a day-old from an earlier hatch:

And a 4 week old (and that's as big as they get).

Lisa

 

[beckt]

My goodness they are so tiny. Are they pretty calm when hand raised or pretty flighty? I love that second pic. Just beautiful.