Mtn quail and bobwhite chicks together...

[Trapper Luke]

Well I got lucky and found a guy that raises mountain quail within driving distance of me. I plan on getting some eggs after I get the coturnix hatched and out of my incubator. I've been told that mountain quail chicks can be difficult to get to eat, but I also heard if you put them with other quail chicks they are more likely to learn to eat by watching the other chicks. My question is since bobwhite and mountain quail hatch in the same time and from what I've read require bout the same temp/humidity can I just set both quail eggs together? Then have all the chicks in the same brooder for the first week or two? I've been planning on getting a couple of bobwhite mutations anyways. Figured I could kill two birds with one stone type deal! (I know this isn't the best place to use that saying but still

)

Thank you
Luke

 

[Tony K T]

I was told a trick to teach mountain quail to eat is,take a piece of plexiglass put it in their cage at an angle spray lightly with water and throw crumbles against the plexiglass.The chicks peck at the shinny water and pick up feed at the same time.Also put a piece of paper towel under the plexiglass to catch what they don't eat and you can reuse it.
I wouldn't trust putting any other quail in with bobwhites they are mean little buggers.
In N.H.,Tony.

 

[Trapper Luke]

Hmm yea dang I forgot bout that! Was all excited bout my first idea

Would you try putting any other quail chicks in with the mountain quail to help them learn to eat? Think blue scale are take the same amount of time? Or would I be better off raising them in their own brooder and doing things like you just said to teach them?

 

[Tony K T]

I would keep them all in separate brooders.But that's just my thought.I raise pheasant chicks together as they hatch together but have to keep an eye out for trouble makers.Seems as the Amherst and silvers are more likely to start trouble.Another trick of mine is painting your light bulbs red.If a bird starts bleeding the others will keep pecking at the blood and the next thing you know there's a dead bird.The red light hides the blood alittle so they can't see the blood.
In N.H.,Tony.