Brooding Coturnix Quail: Heat em up! (Ah. But how?)

[Joylime322]

Hello! I am trying to make a decision on what is best to buy for my current situation. In 12 days, I will have an 1-30 little quailings hatching from their eggs. It is the midwest and getting chillier. The first brooder will be inside until they are older. I am really uncertain about what to get as a heat source for these little guys. I have heard many things. "Lamp is best!" "Plate is better!" "MHP WINS!!" And so on and so forth. I know all of you probably have strong opinions, so please share so I can get as much information as possible so I can make a decision! Thank you!
~~ JoyLime

 

[ButtonBag]

As a beginner I found a ceramic heat lamp for reptiles to be perfect. It was easy to adjust the temperature by moving the stand up and down, and I was glad I decided against a plate or cave as I could always see what the chicks were up to. I could also easily judge if they were the right temperature by where they were sitting in relation to the centre of the lamp, and not emitting light kept them on a natural day/night cycle.

 

[Sammi_0411]

I use a heat lamp but to be honest i feel a brooder plate more like a real warm mum lot safer and they can snuggle underneath if cold if that helps? Xx

 

[ButtonBag]

I'd agree that it's nice when they can feel safe like that. Mine had a mum-sized cuddly toy just set off from the heat lamp so it would be warm but not overheat them, and they loved sitting under it

 

[Kizmet]

I have mine set up with two heat lamps, one for safety in case the first one dies. I like the lamps because I can tell if they’re working or not.

 

[Quailobsessed]

My favourite heat source for them is their mother

When they've been hatched in an incubator though, I use a heat lamp.

 

[Chip76]

I used a lamp bc I didn't know any alternatives at the time. Fine during the day, but the chicks needed dark at night. They cried and chirped all night every night until I could move them outside (it was hotter outside than in my house). I swear they never slept... And neither did I... If I were to do it all over again, I would try a heat pad cave.

 

[Yo Yo Oreo]

I've used both heat lamps and this heat plate here. The plate is super nice because it gets them into a day/night cycle right away and they sleep at night. Well... The first couple days they seem to chirp all the time no matter what lol but with the plate they eventually are quiet at night.

The downside is it can be hard to see under there. I have to pick it up to make sure everyone is doing alright. My last batch had 17 chicks and they fit with room but it was hard to see around them. The lamp is nice because you can always see them but I don't enjoy hearing the constant chirping at night. I do brood inside all the time, I have no outlets outside at this time.

Overall I've enjoyed the plate more. I only use my lamp if the plate is already in use as I only have one. Would like to get a larger version as I keep increasing my hatchings over time.

 

[FloorCandy]

I've used both heat lamps and this heat plate here. The plate is super nice because it gets them into a day/night cycle right away and they sleep at night. Well... The first couple days they seem to chirp all the time no matter what lol but with the plate they eventually are quiet at night.

The downside is it can be hard to see under there. I have to pick it up to make sure everyone is doing alright. My last batch had 17 chicks and they fit with room but it was hard to see around them. The lamp is nice because you can always see them but I don't enjoy hearing the constant chirping at night. I do brood inside all the time, I have no outlets outside at this time.

Overall I've enjoyed the plate more. I only use my lamp if the plate is already in use as I only have one. Would like to get a larger version as I keep increasing my hatchings over time.

I put security cameras facing into the brooder looking under the plate at table level. I have an app on my phone I can watch them thru.

 

[Yo Yo Oreo]

I put security cameras facing into the brooder looking under the plate at table level. I have an app on my phone I can watch them thru.

Thats a really smart idea. I'll have to look into that thanks!