Hens sit on eggs?

[eweaber]

Will a coturnix quail sit on and hatch eggs. I plan on getting a breeding pair and was wondering if I need to incubate their eggs for them or if they will raise their own young. I know some poultry are horrible parents.

 

[TwoCrows]

Quail have generally lost the ability to incubate eggs full term. It occasionally does happen that a hen goes broody, but don't hold your breath on it. They may sit on them for an hour or two here and there, but not like they should. You will need an incubator.

 

[MotownMenace]

Are any of your 26 chickens a broody silkie? They make good quail hatchers if you don't have an incubator. Also, if your wanting quail for hatching I would go with 3-4 females and 1 male. They're not really a 1 to 1 animal. They can be but the male and the single female will be happier if there's a little harem to share his 'affection'. The males are kinda rough on the girls and they have plenty of energy to keep 3-4 females fertile.