It's important to me that folks know Coturnix quail are actually quite given to brooding under the right conditions. I only have six quail in my little flock this year, being six hens all naturally hatched, all from eggs originating from different breeders.
Butter Brickle went broody again in early July. Once she'd shown she was serious, I ordered eggs without thinking. Only 3 out of 15 that were set developed...but they were shipped and brooded in 100+ F outdoor temps. What was I thinking?
The developed chicks all got shrink-wrapped in the heat shortly after pipping. At 24+ hours without zipping, I felt comfortable taking a peek inside. The membranes were dry and leathery and easily peeled away—only one chick needed more time to withdraw all of its blood.
They didn't even seem to register when they were free to unfold.
All 3 chicks made it out with help. Another 4 hens have been taking turns sitting a clutch of unfertilized eggs, but I'm waiting for temps to drop significantly before I give them "for real" eggs. Only Pearl, my calmest and tamest of her generation, has zero interest in being a mother.
Here's shortly after the last chick was freed and returned to the nest. The remaining eggs turned out to have never developed or quit very early.
The three that made it, a couple hours post-removal from their shells:
I've learned my lesson re: the weather and our changing climate. My area is good for spring or fall hatches anymore, but summer (especially as unusually, grossly hot as it's been) is brutal on both the chicks and the sitting mother. I'm glad any developed at all. Brickle did an excellent job.
Butter Brickle went broody again in early July. Once she'd shown she was serious, I ordered eggs without thinking. Only 3 out of 15 that were set developed...but they were shipped and brooded in 100+ F outdoor temps. What was I thinking?
The developed chicks all got shrink-wrapped in the heat shortly after pipping. At 24+ hours without zipping, I felt comfortable taking a peek inside. The membranes were dry and leathery and easily peeled away—only one chick needed more time to withdraw all of its blood.
They didn't even seem to register when they were free to unfold.
All 3 chicks made it out with help. Another 4 hens have been taking turns sitting a clutch of unfertilized eggs, but I'm waiting for temps to drop significantly before I give them "for real" eggs. Only Pearl, my calmest and tamest of her generation, has zero interest in being a mother.
Here's shortly after the last chick was freed and returned to the nest. The remaining eggs turned out to have never developed or quit very early.
The three that made it, a couple hours post-removal from their shells:
I've learned my lesson re: the weather and our changing climate. My area is good for spring or fall hatches anymore, but summer (especially as unusually, grossly hot as it's been) is brutal on both the chicks and the sitting mother. I'm glad any developed at all. Brickle did an excellent job.
) hen and a hyper-territorial rooster.
