Button quail questions

[missred871]

Quote:
I wasnt suggesting they be kept in a group I simply said that IF you keep them in a group it is better to keep more females to males. Also, yes I was researching the Corturnix breed though I did run across a few of the Turnix. All the info I have posted came from the latter.

 

[DaKid]

I like to keep my buttons in a ratio of 3-4 femals to 1 roo , but I do have some asst. buttons pens set up with 3-4 males to 9 to 12 females

as far as waters I use a 1qt waters for baby chicks and as far as feed well what ever is hanging around

I have use pine shaving and play sand for there bottom base for my buttons

 

[missred871]

Quote:
Pretty much the same as mine....glad I am not the only one, for a minute there I thought I was.....

except I use gambird feed they seem to prosper better, lots of greeny and seedy stuff as well

 

[DaKid]

missred871
Today 12:07 amDaKid wrote:
I like to keep my buttons in a ratio of 3-4 femals to 1 roo , but I do have some asst. buttons pens set up with 3-4 males to 9 to 12 females

as far as waters I use a 1qt waters for baby chicks and as far as feed well what ever is hanging around

I have use pine shaving and play sand for there bottom base for my buttons
Pretty much the same as mine....glad I am not the only one, for a minute there I thought I was.....

except I use gambird feed they seem to prosper better, lots of greeny and seedy stuff as well

as a treat I feed the wild finch seed to along with some fresh veg scraps greens from the garden when availabile​

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
I wasnt suggesting they be kept in a group I simply said that IF you keep them in a group it is better to keep more females to males. Also, yes I was researching the Corturnix breed though I did run across a few of the Turnix. All the info I have posted came from the latter.

Actually, you specifically said not to house them in pairs or 1:2 male:female ratios. Anyways, it's a mute point. You simply mixed up species when you did research, no biggy.

I also keep mine in groups. I've kept two other groups and had issues with feather picking. This final group, I haven't had any issues with, and ironically, I have a much lower ratio than I did in previous groups. This time, I have 3 roos over 5 hens. Before, I had up to nine hens under one roo (maybe it was two roos?) and had issues with a hen feather picking.

 

[hac1224]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Depending on exactly what hatches, we'll either try 1m:1f or 1m:2f. I'm just using a bird cage, so I'm a little concerned that even a 1:2 will be too crowded. I'm planning on using pine shavings in the bottom and a bowl of "Gravel'n Grit" for dusting/grit/extra calcium. I have the smallest size ball waterer and a couple of ramekins for food & treats. I also picked up some silk flowers and a little woven "cave" for hidey places. I am trying multiple levels with ramps, but I'm planning on weaving them with raffia and silk leaves to give them a more natural appearance and feel to the buttons. I haven't picked up the gamebird starter yet, but I'm not even getting the eggs until the first week of June. I think my set-up should be good, and that they will probably end up a little spoiled being the only ones allowed indoors (the coturnix and chickens aren't staying in my living room

). Now I just have to work on the finishing touches on my incubator and wait until we get back from our Memorial Day weekend mini-vacation to start incubating.

 

[MissCluck]

I think you will enjoy your wee buttons very much! I incubated and hatched out six. Only one was a hen! Drat. So one male has a hen and the others are bachelors. Just a few days ago I separated the bachelors from a group of four to two pairs because they were fighting. No fighting now.

Mine love ramps and silk plants to hide under. I have pine shavings and play sand in their large cages. I also put a wooden hut thing in with each pair and they go in that. I think a grass hut for guinea pigs would work well too.

I feed a mixture of game bird crumbles (crushed finely), and finch seed and some fruit pellets. I also put in Herb Salad by Twin Beaks Aviary and they LOVE that. They like shredded carrot, cucumber and other fresh things too. Remember to put some fine gravel in there if you feed seed.

The boys are VERY vocal. Lots of "growls" and calls going on. Be prepared for some midnight calling too - and three a.m.! ha ha

I'd love to find some hens locally to pair off my bachelors. I think they'd be more content that way.