Lonely cortunix

[Goose and Fig]

I apologize if someone asked this before- but I'm usually on the chicken forum. I had one cortunix hatch out of 2 dozen shipped eggs. I think it was the toxicity of the shelf liner. Anyway- the little guy, whom we've named Uno, is in with my sweetest 3 week old standard cochin, Frita. She's being a great buddy- showing the little guy how to eat, and walking around with Uno under her wing or belly. When they sleep- you can't even see the quail.

Do I have to get another quail? Or should I give this one away?
I free-range my hens when they're big enough- and I know the quail will take off. Any suggestions?

 

[quailbrain]

I personally have never free ranged quail. Coturnix are fairly docile considering they are a quail so it may be possible if it grows up around only chickens that it could stick around but it would be very sad if it decided not too. I'm not fimiliar with what your original plan was for the quail but maybe you could stick with that although it might get lonely.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I was planning on using one of my brooder coops- since our new hen house will have built-in brooders. I feel so bad for the little guy! At least he's got Frita. I tried some other young chicks- but she was the only one that didn't try to peck him.

I posted a want ad for some more chicks. We're not going to eat them or anything- just keep them as pets. I want to eventually have a huge avairy/greenhouse, now that we have the room.

 

[monarc23]

nope he will not stay around he will fly away. What a lot of people dont know is Coturnix are migratory, even if he stays around for a bit and makes it not getting killed or wandering off he will end up flying away. Several times the US has tried to establish coturnix here... but it never worked as hte birds would migrate (and not migrate well enough to esablish themselves). And if you clip it's wings you're dooming it to death that way as well...not only that it's illegal in almost all states to let coturnix go without a permit.

If it was me, i'd order more eggs and pen him up with some friends

BTW his color is either Rosetta or Golden Range

 

[Goose and Fig]

I think I will get some eggs- unless I can find a buddy somewhere close. I'd rather not even look at the incubator after the trajedy I witnessed. If I can get him some friends we'll go ahead with the avairy. I used to raise pied finches, and always wanted to have a big outdoor space with a tree going up through the middle. Thanks for the replies! I WON"T be letting Uno free-range!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
yay! and oo that aviary sounds like it would be really nice!!! I say do it!

 

[becky3086]

The first time I ever hatched an egg it was a corturnix in one of those little spaceship looking incubators and I only hatched one. I had just the one until after he had grown. He never actually seemed all that loney to me.
Still I would get more if I was you. As a matter a fact, I have a lot of quail eggs, lol. I could send you about 30 on Saturday for $12 shipped.

 

[laputa]

HappyMtn, do you mind PM me where you get the shipped eggs from?

I happen to have the same result: Two weeks ago, 1 hatched from 24 shipped eggs (20 never developed). Out of curiosity, I contacted a few buyers who bought from the same ebay seller around the same time, one replied, and her result was identical: 1 hatched out of 24. So when I read your post, I was thinking... what an coincidence.

In my case, last weekend I just bought some 4 weeks old chicks from someone local (CAWooduck on BYC), when my lone chick is 1 week old. Right now the one chick is in a brooder inside, and the 4 week olds are outside in their pen. I am hoping eventually when the little guy grow up to be of similar size, I can introduce him/her to the group without being picked on.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I got the eggs from ShellyD in the swap. They were packed great- but 1/2 of the button quail eggs were broken. The PO is brutal here. I'm almost positive it was the shelf liner off-gassing that killed all the chicks. My last 3 hatches I've had almost 100%, and I've never had that noxious smell in the bator before.

I might take up the egg offer- but have to wait until I get back from Lexington this weekend. Thanks!

 

[quailbrain]

I'm glad you aren't letting one hatch discourage you!! It will be fun for you to try again and buddy Uno gets a friend.