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
