Getting into quail Here's my plan suggests welcome

[chickenjoe]

Got the Application from DEC just need to fill it out an send it back with the fee.


Planning on getting 120 coturnix eggs

make 2 4x8x2 cages

1 will be for breeding a 1/4 of it will be covered with plywood for winter time protection

1 will be a grow out cage

from what have read there a 50-60 % hatch rate

heres the math.

120 /2 = 60 hatch rate

60 -30 males = 30 females

keep 20 females and 6 males for breeading/eggs

end with 10 females and 22 male for meat = 32

I need to know what size brooder would good to build.

I know that these wouldn't be exact number just ones to do planing.

Does anyone think I'm jumping in to fast. Or should i start off with less eggs.

Any suggestion are helpful.

 

[mhwc56]

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i've gotten eggs shipped to me where it was alot higher % than 50% hatch and the likelihood that you are going to get 30:30 ratio is also unlikely
i don't think 120 eggs is too big a # to start off with though. You'll have time to put together a couple more cages if necessary before they need to be split up as they'll be in the brooder for about 4 weeks anyway.
have fun with your new endeavor!

 

[JJMR794]

Your Sex Ratio Is Tilted... Coturnix Do Best At 1: 5-8. Any Less Hens There Will Rough Treatment To The Hens Themselves And The Lads Will Be Prone To Fighting.

 

[mhwc56]

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X2

 

[chickenjoe]

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So less males per females, I went with the other ration because some people keep 3-4 groupings. What size brooder would good for that many birds.

 

[mhwc56]

1 rooster for every half dozen hens.....

 

[JJMR794]

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So less males per females, I went with the other ration because some people keep 3-4 groupings. What size brooder would good for that many birds.

EASIEST WAY AND MOST FLEXIBLE AND CHEAPEST I HAVE FOUND IS THE LARGE STERILITE OR RUBBERMAID TOTES. I USE THE LARGER STERILITE TOTES AND WILL START OFF WITH AROUND 2 DZ OR SO FRESH PEEPERS IN THERE, THEN AS TIME GOES ON AND SIZES EXPAND I END UP WITH LESS BIRDS PER TOTE UNTTIL ALL ARE READY FOR A GROW OUT PEN. JUST RUN DOWN TO THE LOCAL DOLLAR GENERAL STORE AND BUY SOME TOTES WITH LIDS... COME HOME AND CUT ABOUT 2/3'S OF THE MIDDLE OUT OF THE LIDS LEAVING A PLASTIC RING... STRETCH A LIL CHICKEN WIRE OR HARDWARE CLOTH OVER THE OPENING AND ZIP TIE IN PLACE AND TA DA! 1 BROODER READY TO USE... JUST PLACE THE HEAT LIGHT DIRECTLY ON THE CHICKEN WIRE (NEVER OVER ANY PLASTIC) AND INSERT FEED AND WATER SOURCES + CHICKS= BADA BING! YOUR BROODIN

I HAVE STACKS OF THEM I USE SIMPLY FOR BROODING. WHEN THE BROODER IS DIRTY AND NEEDS CLEANING I SIMPLY SET UP A NEW 1 AND TRANSFER OVER THE LIL FUZZY BUTTS... NOW I CAN CLEAN THE DIRTY 1 AT MY LEISURE WITHOUT ANY ESCAPEES OR OTHER ANNOYANCES. THE WHOLE SET UP CAN BE SANITIZED EASILY WITH A 30 MINUTE BLEACH WATER SOAK AND THEN ALLOWED TO AIR DRY.

 

[thai]

i see you have some planning, but don't forget about planning to clean their poop, 120 quails will produce enough poop to fill up your sleeves in 3 days, they're pooping machine !!! i sugest you buy a big 50 gallons trash bin to store their poop.

 

[mhwc56]

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enough to "fill up your sleeves" ? ROFL...gee THANKS for THAT visual image ....

 

[chickenjoe]

That what the compost pile is for.

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