Japanese quail questions

[ambient]

I want to raise quail for eating and eggs. The japanese quail (cortunix japonica) is said to be hardy, a prolific breeder and it looks (to me) a good size for eating. HOWEVER I have read they won't incubate and hatch their own eggs. I want quail that will hatch their own eggs. Does anyone know:

A: Is it possible to get japanese quail to hatch their own eggs?

B: If not, what are some other breeds of a suitable size to eat, that hatch their own eggs and are fairly hardy?

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
A. Yes its possible but i've never tried it you'd have to make thir home replicate what it would be in the wild (places to hide and such) and luck.

B. Not sure, bobwhites may but i've never heard of someone getting theirs to brood either....but im sure they do!

 

[therealsilkiechick]

cortunix don't hatch their own eggs, been there done that. bobs might if they have a natural habitat but they r smaller birds. only one i think might set their own eggs would be possible cal valley or gambles. i don't know how the other breeds r but there is many varieties of quails.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Mine lay them on the run and keep going. I don't have nesting material in there, but even if I did I doubt they would sit on them. I have the jumbo coturnix and they are great birds for eggs and for eating. I would highly recommend them but an incubator is a necessity to keep them going.

 

[ambient]

hmm...now I'm thinking I might have to get an incubator.

I'm from Australia, so I'm not sure what quail varieties are available here. Thanks for the advice!

 

[ambient]

What about the common quail, (coturnix, coturnix). Are they egg hatchers? And if so, do people breed them?

 

[Lophura]

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While in your experience that didn't, I wouldn't rule it out. It is true that through domestication, most lose the instinct to do so, but if you can simulate a natural environment, it can happen. Given the favourable settings, any Quail species will rear chicks naturally.

Quote:
I wouldn't race out quite yet if you don't want to spend the money. Give them a shot and see what happens. The bloodlines in Australia are perhaps closer to origin stock than our mess here in the states, so there is potential for them.

Dan

 

[Suz658]

I've yet to have a coturnix set & incubate eggs but I do have 2 hens that will happily foster & brood chick both coturnix & bobwhite ....

(Goldie with BW's)

(Goldie with her coturnix brood) - Click on picture to view slide show.



You could try using a light weight broody bantam chicken to incubate your quail eggs, I've been experimenting with using miniature bantam Silkies with good results so far, but i suggest if using silkies that you trim their longer feather to prevent chicks getting tangled.

Suz

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
I always love seening these Suz

 

[shelleyd2008]

I agree with the chicken hen incubating the eggs. I have some really tiny OEGB and dutch hens, and I think that's what they'll do, since I can't find bf's for them!