Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[appps]

Looks like a good design chook. They don't eat the fake turf at all? We have a roll here that maybe ill drag out next time its muddy if they won't try and pull at it.

Only thing I'd miss is being able to pull a broody hen out from the flap without having to go inside. We spend our lives it seems with broodies so that's a must. But I love the way the eggs roll away.

 

[TheChookPatch]

Looks like a good design chook. They don't eat the fake turf at all? We have a roll here that maybe ill drag out next time its muddy if they won't try and pull at it.

Only thing I'd miss is being able to pull a broody hen out from the flap without having to go inside. We spend our lives it seems with broodies so that's a must. But I love the way the eggs roll away.

I saw one a few years ago with a roll away part attached at the back of a lawnmower catcher. You may be able to modify one similarly, I have a few here I was planning on having a go at. They don't seem to peck at it much, they certainly try to rearrange it when they are nesting but settle in soon enough. I spent hours in there yesterday cause the kids were at their dads and I only saw Onyx peck at it once...

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Don't worry I figured it all out.

 

[Colourful]

At what price would you sell day old quails?

I agree with satay at $1.50.

That said I sold my 6 week old standard brown (just laying) at $7 ea and could have sold twice the amount of quails seeing how much interest I got. I'll be selling my coloured quails (golden, tuxedo, white and the like) at $10 ea.

Let us know how it goes luke! The first incubator hatch is so worrying. I have 70 quail in lock-down tomorrow (I started with over 100, but I've candled them and tossed the infertiles). A great candler for quail is a parrot egg candler. I have my humidity at 40% and 55-60% at lockdown. Don't let the humidity get to 75%-80% or any un-pipped eggs will start to drown.

 

[rexy]

I'm after ideas for nesting boxes chook (or anyone else) couldn't share a photo of your design could you?

I've got one very large one they could quite easily share but after all the commotion today think ill have to build another. The silkie has decided its hers and she doesn't want to share it with the favs even though she isn't broodie and doesn't even seem to need to lay an egg. We have had so much noise and commotion up there this morning that in the end I had to lock her in the broodie pen so she would leave the poor favs to explore the nest in peace. One is just constantly making a noise and trying to get to where ever we are. Thing she's a bit confused and upset with what is suddenly happening as that first egg seems imminent. Honestly though I don't remember all this noise with the older three. We just looked one day and there was an egg. The favs seem to think they need to complain about the whole thing lol

Appps, I just use mower catchers. They are great. Used one for setting a broody too. The big Marans look a bit large in them, but even the rooster can get in there to prepare the nest for his girls, so there isn't a problem with big hens.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I agree with satay at $1.50.

That said I sold my 6 week old standard brown (just laying) at $7 ea and could have sold twice the amount of quails seeing how much interest I got. I'll be selling my coloured quails (golden, tuxedo, white and the like) at $10 ea.

Let us know how it goes luke! The first incubator hatch is so worrying. I have 70 quail in lock-down tomorrow (I started with over 100, but I've candled them and tossed the infertiles). A great candler for quail is a parrot egg candler. I have my humidity at 40% and 55-60% at lockdown. Don't let the humidity get to 75%-80% or any un-pipped eggs will start to drown.

O.K, I put them up for $2.00 each ( there doesn't seem to be a lot of competition with quails around here ).
Now, My parents don't seem to think it's o.k to sell day olds. But I can sell quail chicks under 1 week old can't I?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Man this humidity stuff is harder than I thought!
Just checked it a while ago and it had shot up to 51%.

Also what does the little ventilation control leaver on the top of the bator do?

 

[rexy]

Man this humidity stuff is harder than I thought!
Just checked it a while ago and it had shot up to 51%.

Also what does the little ventilation control leaver on the top of the bator do?

Not an expert on that bator, Luke, but you use the ventilation to help with the humidity normally. Increase humidity by closing the ventilation. you should always have some ventilation though.

 

[TheChookPatch]

I'm about to set the incubators!!! May be....
I got a dozen Marans from Terry Hill's line (bottom dozen in photo) People in the FB marans page say not to set them because they aren't dark enough, now I don't know what to do :/ I might sleep on it... I didn't get my egg from Baby Babe today I was waiting for anyway... worst comes to worst they could be layers I guess... Wish I didn't spend so much money on them now... Plus he 'overlooked' our 2 doz order (I went halves with a friend) and had to be reminded we had ordered and paid for them AGES ago.... :/

 

[cluckcluckluke]

WOW, quails are quite popular around here.
I have already gotten 3 replies from my add. 2 people want 4 each and one person will take what ever is left.
Can't wait to put a whole bator full of these little eggs next time.