Broody “sisters”

[Cool-breeze7]

New to the forum and this is my first season raising quail. Ie I’m no expert. I have 14 coturnix quail in my enclosure (hoping to add a few more hens this year). I chose to do a large walk in aviary for my quail. One of my hopes was that with enough space and natural(ish) environment I could occasionally get some hens to go broody.

I noticed some eggs being gathered in one of the temporary hides (cardboard box). I decided to sacrifice a few eggs and see what happens. Yesterday and today I notice not one hen but two looking like a pancake.

What really surprised me is they’re brooding the same clutch. Anyone else experienced this? They seem to be happily working together right now. I’m inclined to sit back and see what nature does. Apparently chickens do this from time to time but this is the first experience I’ve come across regarding quail.

 

[Nabiki]

New to the forum and this is my first season raising quail. Ie I’m no expert. I have 14 coturnix quail in my enclosure (hoping to add a few more hens this year). I chose to do a large walk in aviary for my quail. One of my hopes was that with enough space and natural(ish) environment I could occasionally get some hens to go broody.

I noticed some eggs being gathered in one of the temporary hides (cardboard box). I decided to sacrifice a few eggs and see what happens. Yesterday and today I notice not one hen but two looking like a pancake.

What really surprised me is they’re brooding the same clutch. Anyone else experienced this? They seem to be happily working together right now. I’m inclined to sit back and see what nature does. Apparently chickens do this from time to time but this is the first experience I’ve come across regarding quail.

That will happen sometimes when you have a large aviary setting. I hope they hatch! Keep us updated on the progress.

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[Whiskybear]

That’s just plain neat! I’m looking forward to updates.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's adorable! You're right - I've had chickens do this and co-parent a trio of chicks. It was the cutest thing!

Following!

 

[Cool-breeze7]

Day 2: She couldn’t have chosen one of the nice permanent hides, had to be the weathered box hiding out in the quarantine area.

All 10 of my hens are pharaoh or common pattern, as such is really hard to be sure which hen is more dedicated to sitting. She’s got 7 eggs which are marked. Took 3 from her today, leaving the original 7. Made her grumpy and she chase off the near by hens. None the less she seems committed so far.

 

[Cool-breeze7]

Day 10: I managed to catch a moment where mama was eating. I candles all 7 eggs with my cell phone. I believe 6 are fertile with 1 dud. I decided to leave all 7. I’m new to quail and I trust her instincts more than my own at the moment. I suspect If it spoils she’ll evict it.

In other news there’s been a significant decline in eggs produced. A few broody hens creating stress and I live in a high predator area. It’s not shocking to see a sharp decline, but it’s still depressing.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Awesome! I have a broody quail mama with 6 babies right now. 14 more on the way!

 

[Cool-breeze7]

Awesome! I have a broody quail mama with 6 babies right now. 14 more on the way!

Awesome! Are you using a ground enclosure? I ask because it’s often said quail don’t go broody but this time of year I see a lot of posts online where people using ground pens have broody quail. Just curious for my own anecdotal “research”

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Awesome! Are you using a ground enclosure? I ask because it’s often said quail don’t go broody but this time of year I see a lot of posts online where people using ground pens have broody quail. Just curious for my own anecdotal “research”

Actually she has been on wire her whole life. I recently bought her to raise my chicks. She is 2 and has been a pet and on her own from other quail. I am told she goes broody A LOT!

 

[Cool-breeze7]

Actually she has been on wire her whole life. I recently bought her to raise my chicks. She is 2 and has been a pet and on her own from other quail. I am told she goes broody A LOT!

That’s really fascinating! I’ve been into quail for a few months and your the first I’ve heard of with a broody hen in a wire enclosure. I’ve just wondered how much environment is a factor.

Good luck with her raising some chicks!