I am new to quail. To they have a high ammonia smell

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Songster
12 Years
Aug 7, 2007
756
6
159
near ottawa ontario
Hi'
I just put 160 jumbo quail eggs in my incubator. When i did that,i notice a funky smell coming from the eggs. Not rotten. Just different. I was reading that they have a high ammonia smell to them. I was hoping to raise them all year round. Can someone tell me if this is true . If it is kept clean is there any smell. Can you compare it to something or dose it have a smell on there own. I am new to quail . I notice that people are raising them outside because of the smell. I am worried that i will not be able to handle it as i am very sensitive to any smells.
 
I haven't smelt ammonia coming from eggs but if you don't clean quail cages for a while, you will smell ammonia. Quail are fast producers and pretty much eat, poop, lay, and sleep...they poop a lot
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so ammonia can build up very fast. Now for the eggs, I don't notice anything different than other eggs I incubate but I would make sure you are not incubating a bad egg.
 
Read the same posts about raising them outside. We are trying a little urban homesteading. Have had 13 to 23 in the basement since spring. Coturnix are mature and laying now.

Raising them in the basement with newspaper lined drop tray below cages. As long as paper is replaced daily no problem.

Lift the lid of trash can with soiled papers after 3 days and you will remember to tie-off the trash bag and take it the main trash.
 
Quail hutches get nasty fast, I wouldn't wait more than 3 days between cleanings....

But as far as eggs go, I have never noticed a smell.....
 

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