/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Can my quail go outside now?

Discussion in 'Quail' started by robbdebbie, Sep 1, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Sep 1, 2009 #1
    robbdebbie

    robbdebbie Professional Chicken Bather

    321
    3
    121
    Jun 18, 2009
    Madisonville, LA
    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
     
  3. Sep 2, 2009 #2
    cpartist

    cpartist Chillin' With My Peeps

    488
    35
    144
    Aug 29, 2009
    Alachua County FL
    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!

    [​IMG]

    9 day old quail on their first day out.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2009
  5. Sep 2, 2009 #3
    Emilys3guppies

    Emilys3guppies Chillin' With My Peeps

    589
    3
    131
    Jun 1, 2009
    Toronto
    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?
     
  7. Sep 2, 2009 #4
    JJMR794

    JJMR794 Overrun With Chickens

    7,584
    69
    293
    Mar 2, 2009
    BROOKSVILLE FL
    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.
     
  9. Sep 2, 2009 #5
    First To Hatch

    First To Hatch Chillin' With My Peeps

    463
    0
    139
    Apr 30, 2008
    New York
    Mine are 9 days old and I don't think they have that many feathers lol but they are only getting 20% protein.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by