My Experiences with Quail

[chetrw]

Hello,
I had been interested in raising quail for meat and eggs for a while and was researching them when I found this forum. After reading many treads I decided to quit lurking and join.

I set two primary goals for starting this project
• Include my kids in the learning experience
• Recycle, reuse as much of the materials that I can to keep it inexpensive

I hope to use this thread to share my experiences with other forum members.

Next - Incubator

 

[Stellar]

 

[TheRealTimShady]

as far as an incubator. i made one out of an old cooler, old light fixture, water heater thermostat and an old pc fan, similar to this : https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=20124-homemade-chicken-incubator

 

[chetrw]

Incubator

I built (with the help of my 7yr old son, who is excited about this process as me) a forced air incubator with a Styrofoam chest.
• $- Chest was recycled
• $- Computer fan was recycled
• $- ½” wire mesh got from work
• $- Glass recycled
• $7.99 - Lamp kit
• $10.99 - Hygrometer
• $7.49 - Hot water heater thermostat
• $26.47- Total Invested in the incubator

***Tip to pass along –
After letting it run and cycle for a few hours, I started to adjust the temperature for the targeted 99.5degrees. Well, the cheep thermostat had an 8-10 degree split. I was discouraged and ready to scrap that thermostat when I was looking through the BYC incubators for another option to try. I found a Jack's hotwater heater thermostat modification
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=26580-thermostat-modification
With this mod I was able to sustain a .8 – 1degree split.

I didn’t try adding an automatic turner at this point because I figured that the incubator would be rebuilt as I learned more about incubating eggs.


Next- Setting eggs

 

[chetrw]

Setting Coturnix Eggs

After testing my homemade incubator and letting it run for a few days to make sure it was holding at 99.5’ and 55% humidity. I went to looking for Coturnix eggs.
I found someone local from Craigslist and went a picked up 72 eggs last night. They are now in the bator and kids are already marking days on the calendar.

$18.00 – 6 dozen Jumbo Coturnix eggs
$44.47 – Total invested in quail

I am so new of a forum member that I am not allowed to post pictures yet. When this restriction is lifted I will add pics to this tread.

Next - Brooder

 

[Tikkajazz94]

Wow

 

[cva34]

Quote:
Welcome aboard sounds like your off too a running start ...cva34

 

[chetrw]

Here are some pics:




I'm still looking at different ways to put together a brooder. I want to do something that will go with the cages outside, since the wife is less than thrilled to have an incubator in her living room. She will definitely not like the brooder invading her space.

 

[chrishel]

After she sees the fuzzy butts (chicks), she might change her mind!

They grow so fast, it's nice to have them somewhere that everyone can look at them often.

 

[chetrw]

We lost power for about an hour and a half last night. Temp got down to 86deg before it was restored. What can I expect this to do to my hatch rate?