Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[mckeesbackyard]

So I was feeding Purina sartina game bird grower 30% with great results then the place I used to get it stopped carrying it so I had to switch to manna pro 30%. They are losing weight and eggs have dropped drastically. I found another feed store to get the Purina from I'm just wondering if anyone else had this problem. They also seem to eat way more of the manna pro and its more expensive and the bags aren't consistent. Sometime my crumbles are half pellets which would not be a problem for larger birds but my quail just pick through it leaving the pellets and wasting food. Has anyone else experienced this?

I just started raising quails 2 months ago. I started with 20 coturnix (various colors) & now have Texas A&Ms too. I recently had organic chicken & turkey feed shipoed from Montana through a Co-Op. I noticed a drop in egg production in my quails when I switched them to the 26% organic turkey feed & their poop were a lot looser. At $33/ 50-lb bag, I was a bit disappointed & switched them back to the 30% Purina Gamebird Chow & I'm again getting an egg a day from each hen.

 

[mckeesbackyard]

My hubby got me an incubator for CHRISTMAS & using it for the first time--set 57 eggs tonight from our coturnix & Texas A&Ms. Wish us luck!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: You will find they eat less also. Its all I get now, and the birds are bigger and healthier too. I have to special order way ahead but its sure worth it.

My hubby got me an incubator for CHRISTMAS & using it for the first time--set 57 eggs tonight from our coturnix & Texas A&Ms. Wish us luck!

sending good hatching vibes

 

[dutchbunny83]

jchny-- thanks!!! still no pips, but no smell so fingers crossed for something!!!

McKee- Nice bator!!! Good luck with your hatch!!!


Curious-- what does quail taste like??? (chicken, haha?)

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

jchny-- thanks!!! still no pips, but no smell so fingers crossed for something!!!

McKee- Nice bator!!! Good luck with your hatch!!!


Curious-- what does quail taste like??? (chicken, haha?)

More like turkey, and a lot like a game bird, pheasant for example

I brined my first batch a few days and deep fried, yummmmmy!
DH plans to do the next batch on the grill,marinate a few days first.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Sounds good!
I've never had pheasant or any type of game bird, so I'm excited.
Woke up this morning to find about 40 had hatched!!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Sounds good!
I've never had pheasant or any type of game bird, so I'm excited.
Woke up this morning to find about 40 had hatched!!!

Fantastic news, congrats!!!!
Once you see they are dry and feel hatching is done (usually by day 20) I set the incubator on the floor to remove them.
First hatch for me, the little guys were tumbling out all over, and one narrowly missed falling off the shelf!
I have removed part of the group before very quickly, and closed back up, carefully so as not to trap a head or wing.
It gets very crowded in a full incubator with all the empty shells!

 

[teradragon]

So... when hatching is happening are you meant to leave the chicks in for a couple of days until they are all finished hatching? I took mine out once they were dry and removed empty shells...

 

[dutchbunny83]

I'm up to 73 hatched now. I've opened the bator quite a few times at this point because it looked like they were all done and the bigger first hatches were attacking the babies that had just come out still all wet. Then every time I go back there are a few more in there! I lost 2 that were picked at by the bigger ones while hatching, 1 in the brooder overnight, and a 4th in the brooder isn't looking too hot- just gave him some sugar water. So right now there are 70. A few more eggs are still rocking so maybe a few more? This has been quite a long hatch. A few days ago I wasn't thinking I would get any! Haha I don't know what I am going to do with 70 quail!!!!

 

[dutchbunny83]

So... when hatching is happening are you meant to leave the chicks in for a couple of days until they are all finished hatching? I took mine out once they were dry and removed empty shells...

You're "supposed" too. Any opening even for a quick second can change humidity and cause chicks to get shrink wrapped in their shells and not be able to get out. I always throw in a wet paper towel when I have to open in an attempt to bump humidity back up real quick. I don't open mine to get out the shells, etc, but sometimes you have to when there are a lot of egg shells or bigger ones are picking on babies. Usually they should all hatch in 24 hours, but this time mine have spread over 3 days...