Can my quail go outside now?

[robbdebbie]

I hatched out some quail a week and a half ago. They are all doing really well, and growing. In the mean time I got the flu, really bad. I am still recovering, but the quail "scent" is now inbedding in my mind with severe illness. I can't keep them inside anymore. If I have to go anywhere near them I start to feel sick again. Their pen is almost done. It is outside, but has a roof and two covered sides. I live in Louisiana, so it is really warm outside.

If the answer is no, then what can I do with them. Is there a market to sell them?

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[cpartist]

I live in Florida and our nights are in the 70's. Our last batch went out at 9 days old and were fine. They were pretty well feathered by then as I lower the temp's quickly for quail. I start at 90 with a 75 watt bulb, after a couple of days I drop to a 60, then quickly to a 40. By day 7 I'm turning the light out during the day, and a few days later they are at room temp only-78 degrees. The key to this is watching the birds and lowering the temp as quickly as they are comfortable with. If you have them now at 80 degrees or below, turn off any supplemental heat and see how they act. They may freak out at first if they've never been in the dark before-I stop the light during the day so they gradually get used to it. If they are moving comfortably around the brooder and not piling up, they should be fine!

9 day old quail on their first day out.

 

[Emilys3guppies]

Wow they feather out really quickly!

What are the temps like where you are? Is it possible to add supplemental heat to the outdoor cage for them?

 

[JJMR794]

Thats Coturnix For Ya! They Do Feather Out Quick, And Grow Quick, And Start To Breed/ Lay Quick....

I Too Am In Florida We're Farther South And Its Still Hot Here At Night. But I Move Mine Out Slower Because I Usually Keep Them In The House Thru The Pinioning Process-- I Pinion At 3-4 Wks Old And Keep Them Inside For At Least 1 Wk Afterward To Allow For More Sanitary Healing Conditions. Once They've Healed Its Out You Go! I Can Rig Heating Lights In My Outdoor Pens So Even When Its Cool I Can Move Them Out.

 

[First To Hatch]

Mine are 9 days old and I don't think they have that many feathers lol but they are only getting 20% protein.

 

[rabbit2u]

I just hatched out 18 quail out of 30. Mine are 10 days old today. They all seem pretty feathered out. It's hot here in Virginia this summer and the heat index has been off the charts. Right now I have mine still indoors. They rapidly grow much faster than any other bird. By the time they are 7 to 9 weeks old, they will already be laying. I am just now starting to cut the light off during the day. It's stays about 76 degrees. I have not seen them flock together for warmth. If they are doing that, then please put the light back on them. Keep in mind and don't be scared to try the light out during the day. This will get the quail ready for the difference of night and day. If you decide to leave the light out at night, keep in mind quail will huddle together at night and this may have nothing to do with temperature. It's a safety thing, but they do generate heat. If you are nervous and want to put them outside, put a bulb in a secure place for a bit longer just at nights. They will be fine...