Japanese quail questions

[Mrs MIA]

I would think a silkie would be the perfect incubator for coturnix eggs.

I've not gotten any of mine to incubate their own eggs... even the Bobwhites just keep letting the eggs pile up in the corner.

 

[ambient]

I like the idea of the bantam chicken...but how do you know if a hen is 'broody'? What if I buy a hen and she turns out to be terribly un-maternal?

Logistically, do you just put the quail eggs in a nest, with the chook and hope she will sit on them?

 

[monarc23]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

I would think a silkie would be the perfect incubator for coturnix eggs.

I've not gotten any of mine to incubate their own eggs... even the Bobwhites just keep letting the eggs pile up in the corner.

I second the silkie!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
most silkies, and bantam cochins go broody once they're old enough. If it was me i'd get a few silkies or bantam cochins....either as babies and grow them up, or get some from someone who doesnt want their adults anymore...and when they do go broody get in some eggies

 

[Mrs MIA]

You'll know they're broody when they are on the nest 24/7. You pull them off, and they just sit on the floor... as soon as you're gone, they're right back on the nest. And they'll "growl" at you, and fluff up, trying to tell you to leave them alone. And if, when they DO get off the nest, they leave something that looks and smells like an elephant with digestive problems spent the night in their coop... she's broody.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

You'll know they're broody when they are on the nest 24/7. You pull them off, and they just sit on the floor... as soon as you're gone, they're right back on the nest. And they'll "growl" at you, and fluff up, trying to tell you to leave them alone. And if, when they DO get off the nest, they leave something that looks and smells like an elephant with digestive problems spent the night in their coop... she's broody.

My silkie mix hen would scream "GO AWAY!!!" when she was brooding!​

 

[monarc23]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

You'll know they're broody when they are on the nest 24/7. You pull them off, and they just sit on the floor... as soon as you're gone, they're right back on the nest. And they'll "growl" at you, and fluff up, trying to tell you to leave them alone. And if, when they DO get off the nest, they leave something that looks and smells like an elephant with digestive problems spent the night in their coop... she's broody.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

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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.

that's the problem they r bred to much for meat ect and to domesticated and it's not just my experience( although i've raised, hatched and bred thousands

) it is the experience of many all over the world. what do u think there natural habitat is? they r not native to this country and over generations that instinct has been bred out of them and people cage them so it is nothing like there origional habitat. if u brought them in from japan directly, yes u may find some who will brood and rear young but that is a big IF all the conditions they need r met. even if u could do a proper habitat it would have to be very stict to fit their needs because here in the wild they cannot survive.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

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i have incubated them and used silkies to hatch them. silkies will in a heartbeat take them to hatch for u. wait till one goes broody and she sets her clutch of eggs , then take her eggs out and place the quail eggs in place of them and she will do the rest for you. my silkies r always being kicked of nests they will hatch air or a door knob if u let them,lol they r very deturmined setters. so yes i third the silkies for excellent broodies or any silkie crosses all r like that.

 

[Lophura]

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Wow, thousands!! Several years ago, I let one hen hatch about six, so you got me there.

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P. 237 from Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002: "Open rolling grasslands and cultivated fields, including steppe, montane foothills and forest clearings. Pehaps favours dry riverine meadows, but tolerant of damp meadows than Common Quail." I have many more from other sources if you want me to post them.

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No arguement with you here, house a Galliforme in battery cage, wire cage, or like domestic fowl, they won't act naturally!! Treat them like an egg factory, you aren't going to see natural broodiness. I admit, I preach a different approach than what has been instilled over the years regarding Galliforme aviculture. There are many of us out there that want keepers to study their natural history and attempt to enrich their lives in captivity by simulating natural environs, you will be amazed how well your birds will do.

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Not following you here. Never my intention to introduce a non-native, just simulate their habitat in an aviary.

Dan