California - Northern

[ronott1]

All this talk of quail almost makes me regret lost opportunities to taste them as a kid. We lived on a few acres east of Fort Bragg. Often bob whites would fly into our picture glass window, usually breaking their cute little necks. My dad loved to eat them so us kids would go collect the little carcass and mom made quick work of pan frying them up. Dad also hunted during quail season and hosted quail feeds. I always held back from eating my little friends.

Installed a 6 nozzle mister system today in our small run. Chooks put off by our test, but they should do fine next 100+ day. We have a timer only allowing a single cycle per day. Based on our test, we probably need capability to run misters several times each hot afternoon rather than one longer session. For those of you valley folk with misting systems, what works best for you?

On hot days(over 100) I run them on a timer from 1:30 to 5:30(timer will only run for 4 hours). It is still hot, I will add a couple of hours more in the evening.

 

[debs_flock]

This chick is something like 10 weeks old now(I think that's right...It was hatched on April 26th or 27th)...It's a Silver Laced Polish. Is it old enough to be able to tell the gender yet? What do you guys think, male or female?

Well, there is no wattle development, but that is a very boyish crest (pointy feathers and starting to fall off to the sides). Girls are very rounded, like a puff ball.

 

[Miss Molly]

x2

So exciting

 

[Grandmas Basket]

On hot days(over 100) I run them on a timer from 1:30 to 5:30(timer will only run for 4 hours). It is still hot, I will add a couple of hours more in the evening.

Thanks for your input. I am planning on using mine on our next triple digit day. In brief time we ran them this morning, we noticed some dripping. Will monitor the first few times to be sure we don't trade overheating for foot rot . Will adopt your 1:30 start time - I was t sure what time to begin. Hottest period in the run is 3:30-4:30. They always have shade but that's when the most sun hits. Will play around with the stop time.

I think the set up will also help keep the attached coop cooler, too. I had a few problems with pullets doing OK by day but settling into high roost in well ventilated coop only to find them panting after dark. Discovered a quick spritz inside just before they settle in for the night resolved that issue.

 

[OR4-hmom]

omg! 18!

Sounds like you are enjoying you new one already! I'm probably 2 weeks away from the first quail eggs. When I picked up the birds she showed me button quail eggs - I've seen peanut M&M's that were bigger.

We had quail a couple of times when I was a kid. I remember the shot more than the flavor of the meat. I remember being the "bird dog" on quite a few hunts, that was the fun part.

 

[Grandmas Basket]

Well, there is no wattle development, but that is a very boyish crest (pointy feathers and starting to fall off to the sides).  Girls are very rounded, like a puff ball.

Alas, of my 3 straight run bantam Cochins, the two prettiest were the boys. Ting is the girl, solid back. At about 10 weeks I heard practice crows, deflating any hopes I had of having flashy boyish girls. Can you keep a roo?

 

[debs_flock]

Quote: Me? I probably have 75 roos (yay for that Ag zoning and friendly neighbors), counting cockerels, make that more like 150-200.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Me? I probably have 75 roos (yay for that Ag zoning and friendly neighbors), counting cockerels, make that more like 150-200.

I thought we didn't count cockerels...

 

[debs_flock]

Quote: Me? I probably have 75 roos (yay for that Ag zoning and friendly neighbors), counting cockerels, make that more like 150-200.

I thought we didn't count cockerels...

You're right, the answer is I have one rooster.

(He just crows a lot)

 

[Grandmas Basket]

You're right, the answer is I have one rooster.

(He just crows a lot)

I obviously haven't mastered MultiQuote using my iPhone. Inadvertent instigation on my part