Incubator or not?

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Started mine jan. Last year quit in sept.

I quit in June, my very broody hens had other plans...I'm still pulling eggs from under a persistent AC...

 

[JaeG]

I have a question....do y'all think a broody silkie would set a clutch of quail eggs? Would it be safe? (Ok that's 2 questions)
The chicks could be taken after they hatch, not sure if the silkie could raise them..
I'm just curious....

Hard feathered breeds are better than silkies. The quail chicks get caught up in their fine feathers and strangle themselves. Quail burrow right up under the hens wings. I've used booted bantams and OEGBs but had to have some normal chicken eggs in the nest and use a bowl to hold all the eggs together or the hens didn't recognise them as eggs and scattered them everywhere. We also don't have Coryza here in New Zealand which quail are prone to catching from chickens (who can be carriers with no symptoms) so that's something to keep in mind.

Chicken hens are a lot busier than quail mothers and quail chicks need a lot of cuddling/coddling in that first week that a chicken mother just doesn't understand. The chicks are in danger of being trampled and kicked by the hens voracious, energetic search for food.

Oh boy, is hatching those cute little babies addictive!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Let' see what happens. I may pm you a bit for guidance, if I do decide to try and make one.
April through June? I want these now,

Better get busy making an incubator..or find a broody silkie..

 

[lereg]

Beware of chicken and quail and duck...math!

I've got 4 4x2' and 4 3x2' old rabbit cages, so I could be good for a while with quail... I think, lol

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Hard feathered breeds are better than silkies. The quail chicks get caught up in their fine feathers and strangle themselves. Quail burrow right up under the hens wings. I've used booted bantams and OEGBs but had to have some normal chicken eggs in the nest and use a bowl to hold all the eggs together or the hens didn't recognise them as eggs and scattered them everywhere. We also don't have Coryza here in New Zealand which quail are prone to catching from chickens (who can be carriers with no symptoms) so that's something to keep in mind.

Chicken hens are a lot busier than quail mothers and quail chicks need a lot of cuddling/coddling in that first week that a chicken mother just doesn't understand. The chicks are in danger of being trampled and kicked by the hens voracious, energetic search for food.

Oh boy, is hatching those cute little babies addictive!

Ok, makes sense. Thanks for the info.
I've hatched button quail in the Bator with no issues. I was just curious about other options.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I've got 4 4x2' and 4 3x2' old rabbit cages, so I could be good for a while with quail... I think, lol

I kept mine in a rabbit hutch. But I only had 6 adults. And only hatched 8 chicks....my now 14 yr old was 5 then and loved the eggs. So we ate eggs...

 

[lereg]

Better get busy making an incubator..or find a broody silkie..

I'm trying to be patient, but I've wanted this for about a year now. It' finally coming together, just not soon enough, lol

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I'm trying to be patient, but I've wanted this for about a year now. It' finally coming together, just not soon enough, lol

We all understand that!
But if you get set up right first and look for quality birds. You'll be happier with the outcome. IMO...

 

[lereg]

I guess I'll look into making one and seeing how it goes. I can't afford to buy one yet.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I guess I'll look into making one and seeing how it goes. I can't afford to buy one yet.

@ChickenMama6RIR just made one and it seems to be doing well. She had a minor issue with her hygrometer but fixed the problem. Hopefully she's around and can pop in and she can give you some more advice.