Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[J and M s eggs]

Quick question I'm getting my first batch of quail . I've read that noises can bother them , I live in the city with a lot of noises . Not to mention my dog who barks a lot. I want to keep them outside and have the perftic coop and run for them, but if its too much I can keep them in my shed .

 

[J and M s eggs]

Another question what I have been reading on winter weather and quail . What about exteam heat? I live in Oklahoma we have Hott summers a lot of over 100*!

 

[QuailNewbee]

I guess nobody knows about my question to the leg color theory ?

 

[Reedgirl20]

I'm pretty sure the leg color only applies to certain egg laying chickens, particularly the production birds. I've never noticed a color change in my birds legs over a laying period.

 

[wingnut247]

Everything i have read says to keep chicks on paper towels...can i put them on shavings or is that a no-no?

Last year I hatched 15 of 22 coturnix quail and used paper towels in the brooder.

3 developed splade / straddle leg. Here is a possible cure if you catch it early --> http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

This year I hatched 50 of 60 coturnix (in 3 days). I noticed (within a few hours after hatching) that a few where starting to show signs of splade leg and one was almost spread all the way. I removed the paper towels and put in two sheets of 60 grit (garnet) sandpaper in each brooder (it was a button tip I saw on YouTube). Sandpaper gave them traction and prevented the spits. NO new birds developed the problem and those that were slipping and spreading recovered completely. No splinting required.

After 3 full days on the sandpaper I switched to a solid but textured thin rubber mat (a kitchen shelf liner?) from a hardware store.

I plan on switching them to 1/4 inch wire and later, 1/2 inch wire when they are ready.

 

[QuailNewbee]

Thanks !

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I guess nobody knows about my question to the leg color theory ?

Hi, please keep in mind we are all on the thread as learning about quail, just like you. Some of us don't get on the forum more than 2-3 times a week.
Sorry I don't know the answer, new to quail myself this year, and have not looked at genetics or egg colors yet.
I can get a similar color egg from a A&M or a speckled.

Size, personality, temperament, laying ability, health and growth are my primary targets right now.
try typing your question in BYC search, or google. There were some good links at the beginning of the thread that may help also.

Another question what I have been reading on winter weather and quail . What about exteam heat? I live in Oklahoma we have Hott summers a lot of over 100*!

Shade and fresh cool water, just like any living thing (except some reptiles). I cover the top to give shade, as well as have them in a shady location.
I change all my birds water containers several times a day when its near triple digits, add frozen water bottle and milk jugs in the bigger water containers.
Even in my livestock tanks, and my hogs love to be sprinkled! A misting area helps too, or at least dust bathing areas.
Winter months I can't say yet, but bet at that time they need dry and draft free surroundings. I plan to reduce my quail to about 16 (4 quads) for the winter.
They will go into the barn, draft free area, and will have heat if needed.
Will start hatching in the spring. I have about 140 breeding/meat quail right now.

Quick question I'm getting my first batch of quail . I've read that noises can bother them , I live in the city with a lot of noises . Not to mention my dog who barks a lot. I want to keep them outside and have the perftic coop and run for them, but if its too much I can keep them in my shed .

What is your intended purpose for quail, that makes a difference in noise levels. To train dogs, I am sure they need quiet unsocial lives. Eggs and meat, let them adjust to whats normal in your neighborhood. I do not train dogs anymore so thats not why I keep them.
I am retired, but My place is always noisy, we are out in the cornfields. All my animals have a purpose of food, or to protect the food animals here. I have several breeds of chicken, turkey, peafowl, and guinea. Chinese, Embden and African geese. Pekin and Muscovy ducks for starters! Also keep milk goats and pigs. (hopefully cows soon) The Peas alone can be heard well over a mile! (aaAAAAAAaah! aaAAAAaaah!) ear piercing! The geese and guinea are almost as bad. Pekin are very noisy ducks (WAAwawaawaWAWAAH!) and guinea.. geez, do not get them if you live in a neighborhood. At least 250 birds. I am very hard of hearing so I don't mind a bit!

I love to hear a roosters crow.
DH loves his big block engines and diesels. Farming machinery driving by, kids on the loud motorcycles. We have friends & family coming and going often, its always noisy and boisterous here. Lots of friends kids visit and squeal, yell, run around like indians and just get to be kids, have fun. And a very yappy screechy pug Chihuahua mix! Quail will grow used to it, mine did with no problems. I socialize with my birds often too, my quail jump all over my hands and arms when i have my hands in the cages. I can pick them up and hold them, they aren't afraid. I keep all my birds people friendly, or they find the freezer fast.. Quail are pretty hardy if well cared for, and I really enjoy them as pets too.

 

[QuailNewbee]

Thanks for your reply.

The first thing I do is try to research things myself and not bother the group with silly questions. I tried searches via BYC and Google. I came up with nothing, which is why I posted the question on the forum and even posted the question on it's own thread. Seems like you can't tell in quail like you can in chickens. I just don't want to be wasting my time and feed on hens that aren't going to lay. The purpose of the quail and quail eggs is for my personal consumption and for my dog's consumption.

All my hens were laying consistent, now for the past week somebody (or more) is holding out. Barring separating them or catching them in the act of laying... I was hoping for another way to tell who the slacker is.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thanks for your reply.

The first thing I do is try to research things myself and not bother the group with silly questions. I tried searches via BYC and Google. I came up with nothing, which is why I posted the question on the forum and even posted the question on it's own thread. Seems like you can't tell in quail like you can in chickens. I just don't want to be wasting my time and feed on hens that aren't going to lay. The purpose of the quail and quail eggs is for my personal consumption and for my dog's consumption.

All my hens were laying consistent, now for the past week somebody (or more) is holding out. Barring separating them or catching them in the act of laying... I was hoping for another way to tell who the slacker is.

My breeding groups are that way. I have even seen some eating eggs, good sign of lack of proteins. I usually collect around a dozen right now a day. 39 are too young.
The rest are paired. Small birds or mean, I cull by 10 weeks, How old are your birds?

 

[QuailNewbee]

My breeding groups are that way. I have even seen some eating eggs, good sign of lack of proteins. I usually collect around a dozen right now a day. 39 are too young.
The rest are paired. Small birds or mean, I cull by 10 weeks, How old are your birds?

I've got them on a 30% feed ( Nutrena ' Premium' Game bird feed) , I give crushed/powdered eggshell ( duck and chicken) , have a mealworm 'farm' going and even have a cuttlebone hanging in the pen..just in case. These darn things eat better than me ! I haven't seen the remnants of eaten eggs, but that sure doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Thank you for pointing that out ! They have a dusting ' box' too. It's amazing how addicted and obsessed you can get with them.

They are just shy a few days of 12 weeks. I don't know how to compare a small bird as these are my first quail.