lonely button quail chick

[tlong42]

This is my first time hatching eggs. Only one out of the 20 hatched. It's been 24hrs since he hatched, it is possible others will but this is day 21 now and supposedly they are due on day19. I realize how I probably screwed up the incubation, but I was thinking "many or none". This is unexpected.

I understand they need company to be healthy. I was hoping to have a half dozen or more. Should I order another batch of eggs and wait the 3-4weeks? Or find a source of a live chick locally?

 

[sourland]

For now or until you can get/hatch more you might want to provide a mirror for 'company'.

 

[sunbursts]

Awww, what a cute picture! The exact same thing happened to us, too. If you decide to keep it and buy new eggs / quail, it's helpful for the quail if you hold it in one hand and cover its head with your other hand so it feels like it has a mother snuggling it. You can set up a brooder and also put a stuffed animal in there if you wish and some blankets for comfort. Our bobwhite cried a lot when she was waiting for her new brothers and sisters to arrive. So, you can try that or try to give it away to someone else. Hope this helps!

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

I would try to get ahold of some people in your area and see if they have any quail chicks... if not go on to the second best... bantam chicks. I wouldn't just get more eggs to hatch in the next few weeks since quail mature quite fast and once the new ones are hatched that one would be huge compared to them. Or if your up you can raise the quail alone... it can be really hard if you don't have enough time for the chick but if you do it can turn out super tame and nice.

 

[tlong42]

I came home from work today, no more eggs have hatched. I don't think they are going to.

For now I have ordered another batch of quail eggs. I realize this one will be nearly a month old by the time the next batch hatches, but at least they will be able to mingle eventually. I put a mirror in the brooder, good idea, and we've been playing with him regularly. I'm going to look around and see if I can find a local source of live day-old chicks.

"one hand and cover its head with your other hand so it feels like it has a mother snuggling it. "

Seems to be responding well to this, thanks

 

[Chloe+chickens=LOVE]

Keep updating us and to see how the quail goes!

 

[tlong42]

I couldn't find any live quail for sale, but I have another batch of eggs incubating now. This guy is about two weeks old now and can fly a bit. I am surprised at how tame he is, much easier to hold and play with than a hamster. Seems like a great first pet for kids. We let him walk around on the floor and he doesn't even attempt to run or hide, simply walks around and follows nearby people.

today

 

[Countrylove1966]

Hows he/she doing? Update pics?

 

[tlong42]

It's a girl. She laid her first egg today.

She is extremely tame, I can let her walk around the house and eat ants, and leave her sitting outside without any attempts to flee.

I have another batch of fertilized eggs coming this week also, to try yet again for friends. I bought a calibrated thermometer this time to help do things correctly.