Incubating Button Quail Eggs

[Dimples_vixi]

It is hard not to hover over the incubator, waiting for something to happen. I do it too. I've only once had wobbling eggs so you might not see that. That was one batch of Coturnix - my Buttons have never wobbled. Good luck! Hope you hatch lots of little cuties.

Thank you, that sets my mind at rest a little! Still no wobbles, day 16 so hopefully the next few days we will see babies. Brooder is all set up so it’s just a case of sitting on my hands and waiting! I’m so impatient!!

 

[Dimples_vixi]

3 Coturnix pipped and 1 button!! It’s 7 hours in to day 18!! Very excited!!!

 

[JaeG]

Come on babies!!!

 

[Pyxis]

They're starting to look like proper little birds now The one lighter one that we think might be slate sticks out like a sore thumb, lol.

How do I sex these guys? Will it be apparent by their colors what gender they are when they are older?

 

[JaeG]

In most mutations the boys have white bibs and the girls do not. Some mutations are quite different between the sexes, such as the wild type, cinnamons, pearls. When mature the boys make a spooky, wind whistling type noise that's specific to males. Both males and females will make a "pew, pew pew" call - there's a difference I think but I can never tell.

 

[Dimples_vixi]

First little button out, it wasn’t even one that had pipped when I looked earlier!!!

 

[Pyxis]

I'm about to start making my quail apartments. For the floor, would you recommend 1/4" hardware cloth or 1/2"?

 

[AQuailNamedFrancis]

Hey does anyone know when to turn off the light for button quail... Mine are 3 weeks old and do they need it still?

 

[JaeG]

Hey does anyone know when to turn off the light for button quail... Mine are 3 weeks old and do they need it still?

I'd leave Buttons another week with the heat. You could start to turn it off during the day if the room they are in is toasty warm and you've noticed they aren't seeking out the lamp to sleep under. Just listen out for peeping - they'll let you know if they are cold.

I'm about to start making my quail apartments. For the floor, would you recommend 1/4" hardware cloth or 1/2"?

I've only ever used solid based cages so I can't advise you there sorry.

 

[romea]

I read it was more like 8 to 10 weeks for buttons I'm working on building little 'apartments' for each pair I keep, since I read they do best in pairs. They'll live in my workshop in their apartments.

I don't have the snake yet (wanted a steady supply of eggs first) but this is what I'm going to get:
It is Dasypeltis scabra, the West African Egg Eating Snake.
I'll get some soon! Hopefully later tonight.

wow! i am very impressed by your planning!!