Incubators Anonymous

[Penny Hen]

what were the parents? he looks like a normal red split to silver (except for the speckling on the breast).

standardizing a variety would involve using compatible color varieties at the very least, IMO otherwise the colors will be all over the place.

Black Copper Marans was the roo and I believe that several different color Ameraucana hens were used. I was not so specifically talking of using this guy if I decide to participate in forming a breed. The idea that I like best involves using the Maran/Am cross and breeding to Cream Legbars to get the autosexing. Breed for the autosexing, large eggs of deep color, and decent table quality. Challenging to have 3 goals? Yes. To much for most single breeders (we can't all be R.C. Punnett

). But as a group who support each others efforts and can pick up the torch from someone else should they quit breeding for some reason or another, yes, it is doable.

It might take five years or ten. But I am looking at this as a production bird more than a show bird. The only reason to add the color requirement is that it can be made autosexing. Some favor just using the Rhodebar instead of the Maran to cross with the AM, but that won't give you that deep olive shade. It will be a nice green to a light olive. Of course you want to hang on to the winter laying qualities and the blue gene to keep the olive color. It might even be beneficial to use an occasional Rhodebar but I think the Cream Legbar brings more to the table.

 

[Penny Hen]

OK, just curious? How many on this thread are setting eggs for the NY Hatchalong?

 

[elliechooks]

My current batch are due to hatch on 10th so as long as they are on time........

 

[Tammy N]

OK, just curious? How many on this thread are setting eggs for the NY Hatchalong?

I have over 100 quail eggs bit did not kno about a hatchalong

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: If you want to sell them now might be a good time LOL

I sold almost ALL of my eggs for this week and next.... so I will NOT be hatching much for the new year. I set eggs on Saturday and that just works. I don't need the change of schedule right now and I can't watch them hatch since I don't live at the farm yet.

 

[Penny Hen]

The chicken eggs are being set on the 10th/11h to hatch on the 1st. Quail eggs are being set the Saturday or Sunday after. Then as they hatch everyone can post back and forth about their hatches.

 

[ozexpat]

i set 140 quail and 180 chicken eggs 8 days ago.

the goal is 36 duck and 75 chicken christmas day.

hatchalong timings never work for me

 

[dutchbunny83]

Olive Eggers and black copper marans going into lockdown today

Question-- why do quail eggs come in such large quanities? Like even on ebay the smallest I've seen is like 4 dozen at a time. Do they have a low hatch rate??? I can't imagine what I would do with 50 chicks at once (though I'm not on a farm).
Quail eggs are so pretty though.
Are they noisy birds? Good layers?
This may be a stupid question but do the boys make any obnoxcious calls like a rooster (we live in city limits)

 

[DMRippy]

I have got to send you some eggs. .....I will in a couple of weeks. sorry just got swamped with everything. my SBEL are sold till after next week and not sure on fertility on the exchequer.

 

[Penny Hen]

Olive Eggers and black copper marans going into lockdown today

Question-- why do quail eggs come in such large quanities? Like even on ebay the smallest I've seen is like 4 dozen at a time. Do they have a low hatch rate??? I can't imagine what I would do with 50 chicks at once (though I'm not on a farm).
Quail eggs are so pretty though.
Are they noisy birds? Good layers?
This may be a stupid question but do the boys make any obnoxcious calls like a rooster (we live in city limits)

Well they are much quieter than chickens. They do lay well sometimes as much as twice a day. The boys have a "crow" but it is low and soft by all accounts I have read. I will be getting some James Marie quail this spring. With shipped eggs counting on only 50% hatch the 4 dozen becomes 24 chicks. Many of the quail available on Ebay are not selected for size but lovely feather appearance. Even the Jumbo quail that are usually offered (there are some exceptions) do not represent the size that the James Marie quail reach (dress and about 14 to 15 oz). Bigger birds lay bigger eggs. It all depends on what you are wanting in your quail.

The males are ready for butcher at 9 to 10 weeks. The females begin laying at 8 weeks. In the wild quails have only a life expectancy of 14 months. They have to grow up and get down to business of creating the next generation fast. They don't have noisy or elaborate courting rituals. They are too tasty and that might draw predators. The females can be very vicious with each other competing for the male. Never mix juvenals with adults for they will kill them. The only way to get them to go broody is to give them a very natural setting. Most use an incubator or a broody bantam. They are the perfect clandestine poultry.