I would like to thank all contributors of this forum for the insight, information and the occasional humour. I have managed to hatch my first lot of cortunix quails. This was my first attempt. I have zero experience. I am in the UK and I just wanted to quickly share my experience.
Eggs: I got 72 eggs from http://quails-in-essex.co.uk. These are the cheapest I have found so far. I ate one of them . Candled on day 14 and 22 were infertile. I was left with 49. One piped on day 14 but did not make it. The others started hatching on day 16.5 and the last three hatched on day 20. Eight eggs are left and I do not expect them to hatch. Today is day 21. I have not counted but according to my maths I should have 41 chicks.
Feed: I found feed to be an issue. I could not find high protein feed conveniently and cheaply. For a starter, I got a 5kg bag chick crumbs from Wilko. Did not want to get a 20kg bag just in case hatch rate was not good. The feed in 19% protein. I am grinding 85% chick crumbs, 5% meal worms and 10% pea protein (80% protein). This brings the protein to 27%. (yes, I have a spreadsheet for that ).
Brooder: I have attached a picture. It is boxes from Costco (free) taped together end to end to make it longer. I have one 100w infra-red bulb and the whole setup is indoors. They seem happy with the setup. I plan to move them to the garage in a week or so. They did not eat much on day 1, but since they have been going through feed quickly now. They poop a lot.
Aviary: I am planning to build a 6x6x6 ft plastic pipe aviary soon. It seems to be the cheapest option. This will house about 25 birds. I plan to house the extra male birds separately till I pluck up the courage to barbecue them. I have a fully fenced small garden and i plan to put them on land. I wanted to put them in stacked cages in the garage but my 7yr old daughter is completely opposed the the idea. It is essential Presidential orders for me.
Questions: I have 2 yellow and 2 brown chicks. Is this normal, can someone advise? The others are standard cortunix striped.
Any advice, recommendations and comments are welcome.
Eggs: I got 72 eggs from http://quails-in-essex.co.uk. These are the cheapest I have found so far. I ate one of them . Candled on day 14 and 22 were infertile. I was left with 49. One piped on day 14 but did not make it. The others started hatching on day 16.5 and the last three hatched on day 20. Eight eggs are left and I do not expect them to hatch. Today is day 21. I have not counted but according to my maths I should have 41 chicks.
Feed: I found feed to be an issue. I could not find high protein feed conveniently and cheaply. For a starter, I got a 5kg bag chick crumbs from Wilko. Did not want to get a 20kg bag just in case hatch rate was not good. The feed in 19% protein. I am grinding 85% chick crumbs, 5% meal worms and 10% pea protein (80% protein). This brings the protein to 27%. (yes, I have a spreadsheet for that ).
Brooder: I have attached a picture. It is boxes from Costco (free) taped together end to end to make it longer. I have one 100w infra-red bulb and the whole setup is indoors. They seem happy with the setup. I plan to move them to the garage in a week or so. They did not eat much on day 1, but since they have been going through feed quickly now. They poop a lot.
Aviary: I am planning to build a 6x6x6 ft plastic pipe aviary soon. It seems to be the cheapest option. This will house about 25 birds. I plan to house the extra male birds separately till I pluck up the courage to barbecue them. I have a fully fenced small garden and i plan to put them on land. I wanted to put them in stacked cages in the garage but my 7yr old daughter is completely opposed the the idea. It is essential Presidential orders for me.
Questions: I have 2 yellow and 2 brown chicks. Is this normal, can someone advise? The others are standard cortunix striped.
Any advice, recommendations and comments are welcome.
