Button quail not setting

[thegoatpacker]

Have three pair of button (Chinese Blue Breasted Quail) two pair are laying like crazy but no sign of setting. Eggs just scattered around wherever they fall. Why no nesting interest?

 

[buttonquailtx]

Do you have a protected laying site for them. I use small wicker baskets turned upside down with a hole cut in the front. The basket has to be small enough to let the hen turn around inside the basket, but not too big so the hen feels secure. A small wicker basket about 4 inches wide should work.

Also, are your pairs separated? I have never had problems getting most button hens to go broody if they are kept in pairs.

 

[GrandmaBird]

also most hens lay between 9-12 eggs before they gather them into a nest then begin sitting. The eggs are good for 7 days or so and the female know which ones were laid when. If you really want chicks I suggest you get a incubator and hatch them yourself, much easier then letting the hen do the work. also if you incubate you will need to raise them in a brooder as well.
And do you have all 3 pairs in one cage? if so that could be the trouble. They need privacy to sit.
Hope your hen will sit but do not be surprised if she doesn't, most do not. Good luck.

 

[thegoatpacker]

The pairs are separated. What do you use for nesting material? I like the basket idea.

 

[GrandmaBird]

mine use the shaved aspen bedding and just gather it a bit. do not add string or other items that could get caught in their tiny toes or feet.

 

[buttonquailtx]

The baskets work wonderful. I almost never have a hen that won't set if given the right environment. Others say that they have difficulty getting the hens to set. Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[aquamoonbeam]

My button hens never set, I always just incubate the eggs. Good luck!