Hatching Quails

[HomesteadofCao]

Hello, so today I had a few coturnix quails hatch and more coming but I’m only a beginner at raising them but I have had previous experience with ducklings and chicks. So my question is will they start eating at 3 days old too like other chicks? And another question is can I put my newborn chicks with my newborn quails? And if you guys have any additional information I’d love to hear.

 

[JaeG]

Quail chicks must have access to food within 24 hours. Quail don't hatch with the reserves that chicken chicks do. In a natural setting (I've observed this with my Button quail and I'd assume it would be similar for the coturnix) the chicks hatch in the afternoon and by the next morning the parents have them on the move and eating. Quail chicks will start pecking about for food as soon as you put them in the brooder.

You'll need to teach them to eat and drink by tapping the food and water often. For the first few days you'll need to scatter food on the floor of the brooder until they work out where they food bowl is. Make sure there are stones or marbles in the water because quail can drown in millimeters of water.

I would not put chicken chicks in with quail chicks. The size difference could lead to the quail chicks being smothered by the larger chicken chicks. Quail are much more delicate than chicken chicks and if you don't get them eating and drinking quickly they can go downhill quickly and die.

They are cute little things and very cuddly in the first week. If you handle them a lot they will be friendly when they mature.

 

[HomesteadofCao]

Thanks for the information.