Newbie Quail Questions

[Sachasmom]

So, I was at the auction yesterday, and I bid (and won) some fertile quail eggs... Hey, they were uber cheap, I couldn't help myself!

Anyone got a link to a Quail 101? How long to incubate, temp/humidity? How fast do they grow, and when do they start laying?

I basically got them to resell once they hatch, but I may keep a few myself.

And I wish people would label their stuff with what it is, it just said Quail, so IDK what kind, probably mixed colors, LOL

 

[Emilys3guppies]

What do the eggs look like?

Incubate like chicken eggs...99.5f in forced air with 40% humidity and then 60% for the last 4 days.

Depending on the variety they could take 6 months to start laying or be as quick as 6 weeks.

 

[Palmer5]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=102281

best around

 

[Sachasmom]

Thanks!

Guess I will know what kind of quail they are when I hatch, although right now I am trying to figure out how to fit a dozen and a half Turkey, four dozen quail and three dozen Americana into one (and a half) bators!

 

[Paganbird]

Quote:
That's easy... get a bigger 'bator!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

What do the eggs look like?

If they are completely white, they are most likely bobwhites. Bobwhites are mature around 16-20 weeks, but don't normally start laying eggs till the following season (spring).

Coturnix eggs can be a variety of colors, but the 'general' coloring of them is chocolate brown spots on a creamy/white/blue/green background. Coturnix are mature between 4 and 12 weeks, and start laying immediately during season (so if you hatch them in 18 days, they should start laying later this fall).

Button quail eggs are very tiny, about the same size as the mini-robin eggs candies that are sold around Easter. The eggs are about the size of my index finger's nail

Button eggs are either dark brown with tiny brown specks to dark green with brown specks, though they can be all green with no spots to yellowish with no spots. The main identifier is the size of the eggs

Buttons are mature between 6 and 10 weeks normally, need to be kept inside during cold weather, and are about the size of a budgie at full grown. Baby buttons are about the size of a bumblebee.

Incubation length depends on what type of quail they are. Bobwhites take about 23-24 days, coturnix are anywhere from 15-21 days (though normally around 18), and buttons are from 14-18 days (normally around 15 or 16).

Incubate at 99.5* for a forced air bator, or 99.5* at egg level for still air bator. I keep humidity around 55%-60% during incubation, then as high as I can get it for the hatch.

You'll need a quail water base, as all baby quail seem to be attracted to water. They can and will get inside even the quail base, so you'll also need some small rocks or similar thing to put inside the base of the waterer so the chicks can't get in it.

Most quail babies need to have their feed ground up finer for at least the first week. Buttons should probably have it ground more like 2-3 weeks if you are using crumbles.

Game bird or turkey starter is best for them, medicated or non, doesn't matter. I've used both with no apparent differences. If you don't have game or turkey starter available, get regular chick starter with the highest level of protein. Quail should have at least 24% to grow and develop properly.

I do feed mine a 20% feed, and haven't really noticed any difference in their adult size. It just seems to slow them down, so they don't get as big as fast. They still get big though

Hope this answers your questions!! Ask away if you have anymore

 

[Sachasmom]

Okay, so they're not button or bobwhite... I'm guessing regular Coturnix eggs then? I don't have anything to compare them to if they're jumbo or not!

They're creamy in color with brown spots on them. Slightly bigger than a quarter in size. I may have to save some if they start breeding/laying that soon! Can I keep them outside though? I hear their poo is stinkier than chickens, so they can't stay in the garage/rabbitry.

 

[shelleyd2008]

You won't be able to tell if they are jumbo or not until they hatch. The adult size of the bird will determine which they are, though the pharoah's usually have smaller eggs. But like you said, you have nothing to compare to, so it's hard to say, you'll just have to wait

 

[monarc23]

to me they smell just about like chicken poo smells (that ammonia smell). Compaired to button quail they are VERY stinky (not the buttons) LOL!

you mention rabbitry, if you house your rabbits in the garage then i guarrentee you that your quails will smell fine in there. Rabbit urine reaks (esp bucks) lol. Id' take coturnix poo over a rabbitry smell anyday. (used to have a rabbitry).