Hatching coturnix with other quail?

[LyrebirdJacki]

Hello there,

I would like to know if anyone has used a larger quail species, such as bobwhite or californian quail, to hatch coturnix eggs. Does it work? Will the other species raise the young like a chicken would wi th ducklings?

I was thinking of getting a bobwhite pair (or even just a hen) and have it hatch some of my coturnix so that they might start growing up to learn to hatch their own chicks. I have plenty of room and obviously won't mix already settled coturnix with the bobwhite.

What are bobwhite nesting behaviours as well? I have a 2mX2m avairy I have built and building up a shrubby habitat. Do they require privacy or just nest randomly? Or are they rarely broody/or seasonal?

Thanks!

 

[GAQuail]

Your chances of getting a Bobwhite or California Valley to become broody and actually hatch any eggs in captivity is slim and none. It rarely happens. I think you would become very frustrated trying to make that work.

 

[LyrebirdJacki]

Ah, ok thanks for the heads up. It was just a little idea and I was wondering if it had been tried before. So the bobwhite barely go broody themselves as well? That's a shame, I love their noise and would love to breed them.

 

[GAQuail]

You can breed them and Bobwhites are good layers but you will need an incubator.