Heat lamp vs plate vs pad for button quail

[ButtonBag]

We're into the first week of incubating our 7 shipped button quail eggs and are getting onto setting up a plastic tote brooder. The biggest decision at the moment is whether to use a heat lamp (possibly infra-red so they can sleep better) which I'm a bit concerned about over-heating the whole box, a heat plate which I'm not sure button chicks will fit under properly, or a heat pad which I'm not sure will get hot enough! Does anyone have a tried and true method specifically for button chicks?

 

[muddy75]

i’ve tried all different methods but ceramic reptile bulb over my hamster cage brooder seems to work best for buttons. i use a parakeet waterer and sprinkle ground food directly on paper towels. i keep a rice-filled sock handy to add extra heat if needed.

 

[ButtonBag]

Thanks, the rice filled sock is a good idea I hadn't thought of before.

Can I ask why you prefer the ceramic bulb to a heating plate that the chicks sit under? I've seen a lot of people raving about ones like the ecoglow.

 

[muddy75]

Thanks, the rice filled sock is a good idea I hadn't thought of before.

Can I ask why you prefer the ceramic bulb to a heating plate that the chicks sit under? I've seen a lot of people raving about ones like the ecoglow.

i have the brinsea heat plate but have never been a big fan with quail chicks......too much opportunity for them to get stuck or lost and i can’t monitor them as easily. heat pad was ok but similar situation where they could manage to get stuck under it.

 

[muddy75]

Time for brooder cleaning....it’s on the list!!!

 

[FloorCandy]

I used a plate with my coturnix and I was very happy. I’ve never had buttons though.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

I used a plate with my coturnix and I was very happy. I’ve never had buttons though.

Same here ...

 

[ButtonBag]

View attachment 2216526View attachment 2216527
Time for brooder cleaning....it’s on the list!!!

Very cute! What's the water got in it to make it so dark? Do you need to worry about them boinking after a couple of weeks with the bars at the top? Sorry for the barrage of questions

 

[muddy75]

Very cute! What's the water got in it to make it so dark? Do you need to worry about them boinking after a couple of weeks with the bars at the top? Sorry for the barrage of questions

i added nutridrench to their water.....they typically do fine in there during the brooder stage and they get moved to a taller cage until they are old enough to go outside.