How do I encourage my Coturnix quail to go Broody? (Spring Brooding Project, draft page)

[Gigachad poultry]

Yah, I agree -- my statement wasn't that quail won't brood ("genetics don't favour brooding"), it was for OP to temper his expectations as, since quail also haven't been selectively bred for increased broodiness, it will require more effort to get them to get in that state.

Even among older chicken breeds, there are differences between how likely they are to brood.

Yeah, all my hens were actually hatched from store bought eggs! And I've he'd three hens go broody this year, AND one of my favorite hens go broody last year! I'm now hoping I can get some more store bought quail eggs for my California Valley Quail hen when ever she goes broody!

 

[Gigachad poultry]

I picked up this straw today, but can't give it to the quail for a few days because i'm away. Is this one ok? It's the only one that said it was appropriate for birds.
View attachment 3652192
I'm also planning on cutting some grass at my nan & pop's. The wild quail lived in there a few decades ago.

Also, do my hens tend to lay their eggs in their own nests, however two of my hens this summer actually started to collect tons of nesting material! I will show you some photos, hopefully if they are trying to go broody these will be your first signs!

You can see in the photo the cockatiel tail feather! There is also some other feathers that the broody hens have collected! I've also seen them weaving the vines into a surprisingly strong nest!

 

[Oob Child]

Could quail chick sounds somehow make them hormonal and more likely to go broody?

 

[Nabiki]

Could quail chick sounds somehow make them hormonal and more likely to go broody?

Not enough data on that. It won't hurt to try. I wouldn't be surprised if the results aren't consistent, though. It's like some people react to a baby's cry by going up and cooing and comforting the baby, while others just want to slap the thing into silence.

 

[jargon777]

Could quail chick sounds somehow make them hormonal and more likely to go broody?

This is what seemed to happen for me, but out of 8 hens in the enclosure only 1 went broody after having incubated chicks hatch nearby. Could be a coincidence though . There is some evidence though for chickens (eg this study)

 

[Oob Child]

Here's what the cage looks like now, I got rid of all the paper towels and sprinkled their food around to encourage foraging behaviours.
The wood shavings will be replaced with dirt I'm planning on getting later in the week.

Someone seems to have built a half nest in a hidden nesting spot I made. Spot has laid an egg in it, and the other birds like hanging around there. Sugar seems to be hanging around the area too. The nest in question is this one:

Someone also seems to have placed straw and feathers in another hiding spot.

 

[le_bwah]

That looks very nice! Word of warning, the rock overhead is a crushing risk—you might even get away with only two big (steady!) rocks on either side, or rather something thin and light like a cardboard box in that spot. Best of luck!

 

[Oob Child]

That looks very nice! Word of warning, the rock overhead is a crushing risk—you might even get away with only two big (steady!) rocks on either side, or rather something thin and light like a cardboard box in that spot. Best of luck!

Ok I'll fix that. Thanks!

 

[le_bwah]

...also, if you haven't already, see about getting them a pan/box of dirt/sand for bathing. Putting it under a cardboard box might cut back on how much dust they spread when they bathe, too.

 

[Oob Child]

...also, if you haven't already, see about getting them a pan/box of dirt/sand for bathing. Putting it under a cardboard box might cut back on how much dust they spread when they bathe, too.

They have had that their whole lives. I only recently mixed it in with wood shavings, but that's because I didn't have enough sand. I'm going to fix it when I get dirt. They are still dust bathing nonetheless.