How easy is it for quail chicks to learn to eat/drink?

[Berlena]

So I just ordered my first batch of quail eggs so they should be here within the week. My incubator has been fired up and running steady.

I already have plans for the brooder. Only thing I am wondering is there something I need to do to get the chicks eating and drinking? My quail now drink from a water bottle...can the chicks also do the same? Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

Please do NOT use water bottles, my bobs start drinking/eating right away, BUT THAT IS MY BOBS.

WHat kind of eggs did you order?

 

[Robo]

What's wrong with a water bottle? After a few hours they will learn to use it. Put some food on the floor of the brooder and they will learn. Dip the first chick's beak in water and he will learn and teach the others. Monkey see monkey do.

 

[BobwhiteQuailLover]

O!
I got confused, I thought she meant rodent bottles, sorry 'bout that....
They are fine.

 

[Robo]

Nipples are fine too, just make sure they are small so they won't drown. They will work at a few days old.

 

[Berlena]

Quote:
Yes I meant the rabbit water bottles....my Coturnix drink of them very readily and its SO much cleaner!

I ordered from Robo ....got the mixed Coturnix eggs

 

[Petej]

My Coturnix figured it out all in their own.

They will instinctively hunt out food and water.....

 

[Berlena]

Quote:
Hi Robo,

I just ordered the eggs from you today via your website.

So they can start on the rabbit type water bottles then? Or should I start them with the conventional waterers?

 

[Robo]

I would start them with a quail water base at TSC, but you can use a jar lid with marbles or a regular waterer with rocks or marbles. Introduce the nipples immediately, but give them both until they get the hang of it. Good luck with the hatch.

 

[JJMR794]

It Is Usually Prudent To Start Them With The Standard Water Fonts Either Normal With Marbles In The Trough Or Quail Font Size That Way They Drink Readily, Then After A Week Or So Old Introduce Them To The Bottle System... Crawl Before You Walk Sorta Thing... Easiest To Make Usre They Are Drinking From Regular Source Then Let Them Figure Out How To Get Water When Old Enough To Do So. As Far As Drinking They Will Instictively Seek Out Water Once Hatched, But Do Need To Learn How To Eat. Easiest Way Is Sprinkle Food Around The Brooder Floor And I Place A Nice Shiney Dime Or Other Coin On Top Of Food In A Shallow Dish And Place The Dish Under The Heat Source... These Guys Are Like Little Heat Seaking Missles... They Will Seek Out Warmth, So Place Your Food In The Hot Spot To Attract Them To It... The Nice Shiney Coin Attracts The Attention Of The Lil Fuzz Balls And As They Peck At The Shiney Pretty They End Up Getting Food In Their Mouths--- Works Like A Charm, That And The Feed Sparcely Scattered On The Brooder Floor.


Oh As A Caveat'--- Remember That Heat Seeking Behavior? Yeah Um Dont Put The Water Source In The Hot Zone Within Their Brooder... Dont Worry They Will Leave The Hot Zone To Drink Then Come Right Back, As Drowning Is Very Easy For Quail Chicks Its Best To Use Their Own Natural Behaviors In Ways To Accomplish Your Goals For Them--- Dont Drown, And Learn To Eat!