Natural or Incubator

[rwwjsw]

I have 3 Bobwhites 2 female and 1 male my girls are laying went out last night and found 6 in the coop but there is no signs where either of my girls want to sit the eggs. Do these somewhat domesticated quails sit their eggs or do I have to incubate them. I incubated some last year and hatched about 20 or so through out the summer and they all died after they were about 4 days old so I thought I would try the natural way this time and see what happens. Also is there any thoughts as to what happened to my chicks last year I fed them medicated game bird they were doing fine running all around the pen when I left to go to work when I came home there was 2 dead they were flat looking and I would loose 2 or so a day until they were all gone. They were all eating and drinking I even put in a little sugar in the water to help build strength like I do all my other birds not sure what happened. Bothered me enough that I did not try to incubate any more I have lost a few birds before but never a whole hatch before.
Thanks for any help or advise.

 

[david9]

Incubator is the best option for sure ! you just need to keep the baby quails warm and none will die. use heat lamps. or put them under sunlight.

 

[rwwjsw]

I use a heat lamp and keep them on my screen porch in a large rabbit hutch I keep the light turned so they can be in it if needed or they can get out if not needed. I have never understood it I do everything just like I would my chicks or guineas and I might loos 1 or worst case 2 out of 10 or so never more than that

 

[TwoCrows]

Bobwhites are not going to incubate their own eggs. So you will need to incubate the eggs.

As far as brooding Bobs, you need to start out with 97 degree brooder temp and lower the temp by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered or about 6 weeks. If you have ANY drafts in this rabbit hutch, the babies may die. This is important for the first few weeks of life. It does not matter if the temp under the lamp is 95 degrees. If the sides are open, there is going to be a draft and it will kill babies.

 

[TwoCrows]

Also...Bobwhite babies can be brutal on each other. Do not crowd them or they can and will kill each other. So watch out for picking, blood and such with Bobs.