Have Bob White just starting to hatch.

[digger455]

This is my first time hatching Bob white quail. Went into lock down Sunday and began to have a few start to come out of the shell yesterday. How long after they hatch do I wait to take them out and start feeding and waering them??Should I wait until all are out or when they are dry? I do not want to srink wrap they in shell. Have done chicken and other quail. before. I put bowls of water in bator for lok down, and they are about two and a half inches high. 2 have drowned. so far.Fixed that. Maybe they need water sooner than I think. Any help I can get will help. Thank you so much. Digger

 

[TwoCrows]

It is best to let them completely dry off. You can leave them in the bator up to 24 hours, but if you can get them out, the earlier the better.

Bobs need a bit more heat than Coturnix quail babies. Set you brooder temp at 97 degrees and lower it 5 degrees each week till they are 6 weeks old.

Make sure to crush up the food a bit as the standard crumble is too large for babies. You can stop crushing it after 2 weeks.

 

[digger455]

Thank you, I was told they are so hard to keep alive so have been worried. I can do that. I am puttint them in a 25 gallon fish tank. Also put carpet on floor.There are 10 right now and 1 peepng. Again THANKS ALLOT.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, quail babies are more delicate than chicken chicks and one needs to pay attention to detail with quail. Make sure there are no drafts in the brooder, but cover the brooder lid with only screen or wire so you have good heat and oxygen exchange. Make sure they also know where the water is as you may want to dip their beaks in the water the first day. (Bob babies are really dumb. LOL) Keep the heat off to one side and the food and water on the other side so they have to leave the heat to get to the goods.

Good luck with your new babies!

 

[SilkieMomPoof]

Yeah, I've had wet babies drown in about a millimeter or water. It was awful. I personally wouldn't give them water until they are dry, since by that time they can walk out of the water without trouble. Otherwise, they just kinda go "Oh no, I can't breath. Better take a nap. Maybe it'll be better when I wake up." Unfortunately they never do wake up. It's very sad. I wait until they are dry and then dip their beaks in the water when I give it to them. I've never had a problem with this tactic. Good luck!

 

[digger455]

Well just to let you know, I now have 18 bobwhite quail youngins, they are doing just fine. Wanted to thank you guys for the help. I will try to get a photo of them on here. They sure are little, and jumpy. 4 or 5 days old and jumping about 8 to 10 inches. Thanks again. Digger

 

[SilkieMomPoof]

Congrats! Post some pictures for us for sure! Good luck with the babies!