Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[teradragon]

While we are on the subject of eggs... I have 3 quail hens that give me 3 eggs a day. One is always smooth and shiny, one is matt and slightly bumpy and one is very bumpy, often with calcium deposits. What's the deal with that? I give them crushed egg shells for calcium and they all have the same diet. They live outside so also get insects and slugs and stuff... is it just that they are all different like women? Or do I have a problem with one?

 

[K Epp]

Following. Just traded turkey eggs for 12 baby quail ranging from 3 days old to 2 weeks.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Following. Just traded turkey eggs for 12 baby quail ranging from 3 days old to 2 weeks.

I LOVE Quail.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Following. Just traded turkey eggs for 12 baby quail ranging from 3 days old to 2 weeks.

good trade either way! Congrats!

 

[COsteveo]

Has anyone ever put food in the incubator at lockdown? I've read that having early access to food is an important factor in growth and development, but I don't want to be opening the incubator while chicks are still hatching. I don't have a window in my DIY incubator, just a few vent holes to peek through, so I won't be able to tell when it is safe to open.

 

[dutchbunny83]

Those that sell quail eggs-- Where do you buy your cartons??? They are so expensive everywhere I look (like $1 a piece!) it wouldn't even be feasible without seriously jacking up the price

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Has anyone ever put food in the incubator at lockdown? I've read that having early access to food is an important factor in growth and development, but I don't want to be opening the incubator while chicks are still hatching. I don't have a window in my DIY incubator, just a few vent holes to peek through, so I won't be able to tell when it is safe to open.

I haven't tried it. Mine pretty much hatch right on day 17 so I know to open and check at the end of the day. I add water and wait a day..repeat. Usually if they haven't hatched in 3 days or so they aren't going to, and if they do the chick doesn't thrive..

Those that sell quail eggs-- Where do you buy your cartons??? They are so expensive everywhere I look (like $1 a piece!) it wouldn't even be feasible without seriously jacking up the price

They are CRAZY expensive! I use standard chicken egg cartons. I offer a bonus if people return or give me more cartons, so I have tons of extras! And just wrap some tissue around each egg. I have even used bubble wrap and pine shavings to layer them if I have a large order and just filled a box that way.
If I ship, I line the box with a few layers of bubble wrap, then I wrap each egg in bubble wrap also.. No carton for shipping, just make sure the eggs are firmly packed, nothing loose. Main thing is that the eggs aren't touching or moving loosely when they are being transported. Air cells stay intact, and no broken eggs. Have had fantastic success rate at hatch for those who I shipped to. Have swapped a lot of misc poultry eggs and its a lot of fun

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

While we are on the subject of eggs... I have 3 quail hens that give me 3 eggs a day. One is always smooth and shiny, one is matt and slightly bumpy and one is very bumpy, often with calcium deposits. What's the deal with that? I give them crushed egg shells for calcium and they all have the same diet. They live outside so also get insects and slugs and stuff... is it just that they are all different like women? Or do I have a problem with one?

Every one of my hens eggs are different too. One of my girls lays an almost white egg usually, too weird! Another is so tiny its almost not worth cooking.
She may just eat more of the egg shells so the deposits are more noticeable. I see that in one of my chicken hens all the time, an orpington. She really likes oyster shell tho.

 

[Sill]

Every one of my hens eggs are different too. One of my girls lays an almost white egg usually, too weird! Another is so tiny its almost not worth cooking.
She may just eat more of the egg shells so the deposits are more noticeable. I see that in one of my chicken hens all the time, an orpington. She really likes oyster shell tho.

Does your hen that lays mostly white eggs ever give eggs that are as mottled as most quail eggs? You might be interested in this thread about breeding for uncolored eggs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882648/breeding-corturnix-for-egg-color-or-rather-lack-of-color

 

[LavLady]

I read a thread about raisimg cornish cross, and I mentioned to my SO that they were feeding fermented mash to the chickens in rain gutters. I asked him what is shaped like a rain gutter but smaller, and waterproof? He acted like he wasnt listening and disappeared into the garage. After a few minutes he came back with this:

It is a prototype, and we will make more with pvc plumbing ends instead of wood plugs, but I thought I would share.

How he did it:
1. Cut pvc to desired length.
2. Cut pvc in half lengthwise using a band saw. (Be careful if you're making a short one like in the pic.)
3. Choose the half you like best and smooth the cut edges with steel wool.
4. The other half will be cut again into slivers. (Be careful of your fingers!)
5. Hot glue the slivers on either side to stabilize it. (Hot glue dries quickly without fumes and is watertight enough for mash)
6. Cap ends with PVC caps, secure with hot glue. (I wouldn't bother cutting the caps in half, they're pretty cheap.)

The best thing is this would work for any size bird. We already made a second, longer one from a larger diameter PVC pipe for when they get bigger.

Note: I am not fermenting the mash, but I find my little "feathered pigs" waste less when fed mash.