quail power
Chirping
- May 31, 2018
- 12
- 21
- 59
We would like to learn about incubating & raising quail. My 9 year old daughter is currently incubating 9 eggs from wild California (Valley) Quail from our backyard. The momma quail was killed by a roaming cat. So we are scrambling to learn how to hatch & care for them until they are old enough to release. We've been doing some research, but have 3 issues that we have not yet resolved:
1) humidity in the incubator,
2) what starter feed to use once they hatch,
3) how to build an enclosure inside our house until they can be released.
1) Websites vary on suggested humidity setting. Some websites say 50% until day 19/20 then 60-65%, others say to start at 60-65% then 80-85% during last 2 to 3 days before hatch. Why such variation in suggested humidities? Are there different methods of measuring humidity? We’re using a Little Giant incubator w/ circulating air fan & built in temperature & humidity monitor. Any humidity over 60% starts to steam up the windows.
2) Should we use chicken starter which seems to contain mostly corn & soybean, or use custom recipe to simulate feed in the wild? Maybe soak & grind wild bird seed mix? Or grind seed from the grocery store such as sunflower seed, flax seed, wheat?
3) Since there are only 9 eggs, I figure we’ll use a plastic tub for the first week and then move them into a larger enclosure in the playroom inside our house. How to build such an enclosure? Maybe stitch together cardboard boxes? Will probably need to be sturdy enough to support a wired top once they start flying? Or can we release them as soon as they start flying?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
1) humidity in the incubator,
2) what starter feed to use once they hatch,
3) how to build an enclosure inside our house until they can be released.
1) Websites vary on suggested humidity setting. Some websites say 50% until day 19/20 then 60-65%, others say to start at 60-65% then 80-85% during last 2 to 3 days before hatch. Why such variation in suggested humidities? Are there different methods of measuring humidity? We’re using a Little Giant incubator w/ circulating air fan & built in temperature & humidity monitor. Any humidity over 60% starts to steam up the windows.
2) Should we use chicken starter which seems to contain mostly corn & soybean, or use custom recipe to simulate feed in the wild? Maybe soak & grind wild bird seed mix? Or grind seed from the grocery store such as sunflower seed, flax seed, wheat?
3) Since there are only 9 eggs, I figure we’ll use a plastic tub for the first week and then move them into a larger enclosure in the playroom inside our house. How to build such an enclosure? Maybe stitch together cardboard boxes? Will probably need to be sturdy enough to support a wired top once they start flying? Or can we release them as soon as they start flying?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Welcome! 
We are glad you joined our flock!
Please make yourself at home
