Hatching Coturnix Quail with Broody Chicken

[MGG]

I tried to hold them often when they were in the brooder, but they always struggled. Now I don't hold them because they could easily get loose and escape from the yard (this happened once and almost ended badly). They are surprisingly strong.

I hold mine right after they hatch, when they're still really wet for about 5 minutes. I talk the whole time and rub their faces. Then I put them back in the incubator for a while. Then hold them for 10 minutes and get them depending on your hand for warmth, them set them a few inches away and call them. That's the beginning of imprinting. Also, mealworms are very fundamental in having tame quail. Quail think with their stomachs.

 

[FortCluck]

I hold mine right after they hatch, when they're still really wet for about 5 minutes. I talk the whole time and rub their faces. Then I put them back in the incubator for a while. Then hold them for 10 minutes and get them depending on your hand for warmth, them set them a few inches away and call them. That's the beginning of imprinting. Also, mealworms are very fundamental in having tame quail. Quail think with their stomachs.

I give mine fresh watermelon they love it on a hot day

 

[MGG]

I give mine fresh watermelon they love it on a hot day

Mmmm. I love watermelon too... I'm afraid it would all be gone by time I walked out there though

 

[FortCluck]

Mmmm. I love watermelon too... I'm afraid it would all be gone by time I walked out there though

I buy the Walmart manager special watermelons those big ones. They’re usually $2.50.

Yesterday I threw some green tomatoes in the run and everyone went mental lol

 

[orloffer]

I hold mine right after they hatch, when they're still really wet for about 5 minutes. I talk the whole time and rub their faces. Then I put them back in the incubator for a while. Then hold them for 10 minutes and get them depending on your hand for warmth, them set them a few inches away and call them. That's the beginning of imprinting. Also, mealworms are very fundamental in having tame quail. Quail think with their stomachs.

I should have done that, but I didn't want to open the incubator (Janoel 12) in case more were in the process of hatching and the humidity began to fluctuate. Do you hand-feed the treats, or put them in a dish or something?

 

[MGG]

I should have done that, but I didn't want to open the incubator (Janoel 12) in case more were in the process of hatching and the humidity began to fluctuate. Do you hand-feed the treats, or put them in a dish or something?

I used to have a Janoel 12. If you mist the eggs with warm water right before you shut the lid each time it helps tremendously. I've never had a shrink wrapped chick doing it that way. I open a lot during hatch too. I hand feed them. I do one on one time with each bird, even if it's just a couple minutes each. And my birds are bobs so even more skittish than coturnix.

 

[MGG]

I buy the Walmart manager special watermelons those big ones. They’re usually $2.50.

Yesterday I threw some green tomatoes in the run and everyone went mental lol

Yum! I'll look.

 

[MGG]

Here's my little guy, still tame at 4 weeks. I just took this.

 

[FortCluck]

Here's my little guy, still tame at 4 weeks. I just took this. View attachment 2257260

Oh wow. So unique looking!

 

[Crestcrazy2]

Here's my little guy, still tame at 4 weeks. I just took this. View attachment 2257260

Is he a bob? If he is, are they easier to keep them coturnix? He's adorable