Mixing of fowl with quail question?

[nao57]

So, I wondered is it possible to mix adult quail with very young ducklings temporarily on cold nights? (Short term, and only while very small on ducklings)

I wondered this because the adult ducks would trample the young ducklings when I put out feeding. But when the ducklings are small in the first week or two it looks like this could be a possibility to avoid using a heat lamp (that has fire risk associated with it) on very cold nights, and sudden cold weather blips.

And part of this question, how long would it also be safe together also, if that's true?

Has anyone tried this?

I would not do this with adult ducks due to pecking order issues. But the other day we had 60 degree weather during the day and then suddenly at night it plunged down to about 43 in the middle of MAY! This had me exploring possibilities, and what if situations like this.

Also to be clear I am not asking about mixing young or infant quail with a mix. That sounds a bit too risky for me.

 

[Kale the Quail]

Welcome to BYC! lots of awesome people here. They're literally full to the brim with information.

 

[Severne]

I always raise the young quail with chickens for the first 3.5 weeks and have done it with ducklings too. I do not and WILL not put any birds with adults though, the males are protective and will kill the babies if given the adult, looks like the heat lamp will be the best tonight.

 

[nao57]

I always raise the young quail with chickens for the first 3.5 weeks and have done it with ducklings too. I do not and WILL not put any birds with adults though, the males are protective and will kill the babies if given the adult, looks like the heat lamp will be the best tonight.

Wow, this is really neat stuff.

Sorry I wanted to clarify.

Did you mean putting the young quail with broody hens that were expecting chicks? Or did you mean very young chickens? And what would be the difference on what happens with both?

 

[Severne]

No, I didn’t mean broody hens, I only have 2 and I’ve only tried that once and that was this spring and the broody didn’t adopt the quail. if you have one though it might adopt a duckling, I’ve done it before and the Broody was VERY attached to her baby duckling. And to answer the second question, I do hatch quail and chickens and ducks in the incubator though and raise them together until they are 3.5 weeks old.

 

[nao57]

No, I didn’t mean broody hens, I only have 2 and I’ve only tried that once and that was this spring and the broody didn’t adopt the quail. if you have one though it might adopt a duckling, I’ve done it before and the Broody was VERY attached to her baby duckling. And to answer the second question, I do hatch quail and chickens and ducks in the incubator though and raise them together until they are 3.5 weeks old.

Thank you!

I think I understand now. I'd gotten confused.