new quail babies coming

[Kim's Chix]

Someone I work with is hatching me some quail. I've raised chickens, ducks and turkeys. What do I need for quail?

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

They like a natural environment with hidey spots. Mine are house in an old home built rabbit hutch with hay for the deep litter. They make little tunnels, nests, and burrows in it since it's more malleable than shavings. I also have a couple branches in their propped against the corner as an extra spot.
They do not eat the corn from scratch grains! I found that out the hard way. Mine are fed a grain mixture with flock raiser added. As chicks I have been advised to administer poly vi Sol as it gives good vitamins and nutrients that help the chicks immunity system. Good clean water daily as with all animals. Keep them separate from the chickens. Don't use the same scoops, feeders and such that you use for chickens. Always handle them before handling your chickens. The reason for this is because chickens carry many different things that can cause your quail to get sick. While it may not harm your chicken, it can be deadly if spread to your quail. They really are super easy to keep as long as you keep everything clean for them. I change bedding once a week to week and a half, with chicks I have been changing daily (sometimes more). I just hatched my first clutch of quail over the weekend. These two have been extremely helpful.

@calichicken @TwoCrows what is your thoughts on good feed from chick to adult? Also can you let her know how to give the PVS? Im on my phone so I can't access that simultaneously while writing.

Also, TwoCrows has some awesome and informative articles on quail care and hatching and such that I think any quail newbie should read.

 

[SpeckledSussex2005]

Chicks - They are almost the same as chicks exept a third of the size. Start them on game bird starter. Make sure to put marbles in their drinker so they don't drown. They don't need as much space, like I said before, they are a third of the size of chicks. I use uncented pine shavings as bedding. You never have to restrict their eating because they eat enough for them, then stop. They need the same heat reqirements of chicks. Once they are fully feathered, put them in the hutch. For adult birds - if you have any type of coturnix, one foot of space per bird. If you have northern bobwhite, 4 feet of space per bird. You should feed them game bird feed, and should take the marbles out of the water. As for the hutch, I have a 50 square foot hutch with hardware cloth bottom, but under the feeder, there is plywood, because the quail spill as much feed as they eat! You can look at hutch plans online, which is what I would reccommend. Well, good luck ! P.S.- coturnix quail lay about 300 eggs a year, and weigh about 2 pounds. I do truly love to raise quail.

 

[TwoCrows]

Some great articles in our Other Poultry section in our Learning Center.

This one pertains to not only hatching but brooding them and what to do when you bring them home. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hatching-quail-eggs-and-brooding-quail-chicks.67362/

This article will help you understand housing needs, and keeping them happy and healthy. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/housing-and-feeding-your-quail.67371/

Start chicks with a turkey or some sort of Gamebird feed of 26% to 28% protein to get them to maturity. What breed are these quail? Old world quail mature up quick in as little as 2 months. New world quail take 6 months to 1 year depending on many factors. However when your birds do become mature, lower the protein down to 24% (if you are keeping them for eggs and breeding) and keep the protein high if these are meat birds. You do not need layer feed if you keep males. However you will need to provide crushed oyster shell for the hens for hard egg shells. Most of this information is in the above articles.

 

[calichicken]

Hi! I don't keep my quail past 4 weeks....families take them at this point. I just keep chickens. But I feed game bird feed..marbles in the water until they get older. I will put vitamins in the water only if I am having health issues with a baby. I don't use shavings. I was advised not too because they eat it? They are cute little birds for sure!!! Lots of great advice and resources given above!!!! Enjoy!!!!

 

[mdees88]

24% non medicated chick starter is the bare minimum. 26-28% is recommended. I feed mine a 30% turkey starter crumble from start to finish.... I use fine pine shavings from day one, never had a problem.

 

[Darkestcon]

I use purina game bird chow 30% protein I never feed less than 28% as quail are high protein requirement. As a side note here. I add oyster shell straight out of the bag i dont grind or chop it never had a problem. They need more calcium than most feeds provide due to the prolific egg rates.

I break out the credit card for my birds so all my stuff is GQF battery breeding pen, GQF brooder battery, GQF Grow off battery. All my stuff has troughs for food and water on an auto system. on the cheap side just a simple jar water and feed system work fine. All my stuff is on wire if they want off they get in the dustbath (obviously no wire there) to rest their feets.

Just my 2 pennies, many ways to do it.

 

[Kim's Chix]

Thanks for the information! I have an old rabbit hutch that will be for housing, once they get moved outside. To start with I'm planning on having them in my house under a light, like I do with all my babies. The quail are coturnix and tuxedo. I'll make sure to get the game bird feed for them as well.

 

[Kim's Chix]

They're coming! I pick them up Monday after work! Squee! So excited!

 

[Darkestcon]

They're coming! I pick them up Monday after work! Squee! So excited!

Congratulations. Im sure youll have a blast.