BRM's Quail Adventure Hatch-Along!

[_-Captain BRM-_]

The chick is doing so well! I am on the hunt for some more quail or a chicken chick or two as some friends for the little quail.

 

[muddy75]

The chick is doing so well! I am on the hunt for some more quail or a chicken chick or two as some friends for the little quail.

If you can’t find any friends, stuffed animal works well for quail

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

If you can’t find any friends, stuffed animal works well for quail

Oh, that's good to know! I did get him some Bantams yesterday.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Well... So far this quail adventure has not gone as planned. We lost the quail. Like literally. I faithfully searched Craigslist for some buddies for the quail and found NOTHING. So, as you know, I got him some Bantams. But there came a point where the bantams needed to be moved into the coop or they would have a very rough time integrating with the flock. The quail couldn't be kept alone... I talked to some friends and they said the quail might stick with the bantams. Long story short, the quail did NOT stick with the bantams. I am quailess. But one of my hens just went broody! She was a fantastic mum for me last year, so I have faith in her. I will be picking up a little over a dozen coturnix eggs for her. I did the research- she can definitely hatch quail. I was thinking I may be wise to put a few chicken eggs in with her to help protect the quail eggs when the hen stands on them? Quail eggs are very strong so I doubt she could break them... Options and thoughts please!

 

[muddy75]

Well... So far this quail adventure has not gone as planned. We lost the quail. Like literally. I faithfully searched Craigslist for some buddies for the quail and found NOTHING. So, as you know, I got him some Bantams. But there came a point where the bantams needed to be moved into the coop or they would have a very rough time integrating with the flock. The quail couldn't be kept alone... I talked to some friends and they said the quail might stick with the bantams. Long story short, the quail did NOT stick with the bantams. I am quailess. But one of my hens just went broody! She was a fantastic mum for me last year, so I have faith in her. I will be picking up a little over a dozen coturnix eggs for her. I did the research- she can definitely hatch quail. I was thinking I may be wise to put a few chicken eggs in with her to help protect the quail eggs when the hen stands on them? Quail eggs are very strong so I doubt she could break them... Options and thoughts please!

Small bantam broodies can incubate quail eggs and they can hatch but it’s very risky IME because the chicks are so small and fragile, they can be easily squashed or suffocated
I let my silkies get them close and then I moved them to the incubator for hatching and to the brooder from there

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Small bantam broodies can incubate quail eggs and they can hatch but it’s very risky IME because the chicks are so small and fragile, they can be easily squashed or suffocated
I let my silkies get them close and then I moved them to the incubator for hatching and to the brooder from there

I havea standard hen on them. She's got all 18 tucked under her. I will have to pull them as soon as they hatch (sadly) and maybe buy her some TSC chicks, I'd love to see her raise some!

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Alrighty. I just candled the quail eggs and 7 are alive! I am super excited to see if they hatch!

If they hatch, should I take them right off of Ginny, or seperate her with them? They won't last in the flock and obviously, I can't afford to loose any if I can help it.

 

[muddy75]

Alrighty. I just candled the quail eggs and 7 are alive! I am super excited to see if they hatch!

If they hatch, should I take them right off of Ginny, or seperate her with them? They won't last in the flock and obviously, I can't afford to loose any if I can help it.

Personally I would take them away at day 16 or pipped internally, and hatch in incubator then transfer and raise in brooder……possibly transplant a couple chicken chicks for her to raise if she will be too upset at the loss

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Personally I would take them away at day 16 or pipped internally, and hatch in incubator then transfer and raise in brooder……possibly transplant a couple chicken chicks for her to raise if she will be too upset at the loss

I don't have an incubator. If I gave her a dozen chicken eggs after the quail hatch, would that be bad for her? This is assuming I pull the chicks fast enough and she stays broody.

 

[muddy75]

I don't have an incubator. If I gave her a dozen chicken eggs after the quail hatch, would that be bad for her? This is assuming I pull the chicks fast enough and she stays broody.

It shouldn’t hurt to let her sit on chicken eggs…..i just hope your timing is good to not lose any when they’re hatching.