Newly hatched quail, don't know what to do

[EllaTheQueen6]

Hi! I already have adult quail. However, we gave some eggs to my neighbor. He incubated them and about 10 minutes ago he brought me 3 chicks that just hatched. I bottle fed them some water and I have them in a warm space, but I don't know what to do at all. Any help is appreciated. Please and thank you.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about quail, but I would think you could put them in a brooder like you do with chicks. Do you have anything you could use to safely house them, even if temporarily until you can get something more suitable?

My bantam chicks are currently in a large tote with a heat lamp for their brooder, and they're thriving.

I hope someone who knows about quail can chime in. Good luck!

 

[C Siena]

Sorry I do not know about quail but as the above. They Need to be in a brooder, you can use a box, with a temperature of 95. If you have a heat lamp great, hang it, Secure it, so it cannot drop on them. Place a thermometer in it to check the temp.

You can also use a heating pad, probably on medium. Again check the temp. Keeping them warm is crucial.

I'll post a link to the MHP Mamma Heating Pad in a few minutes.

Dip their beaks in water. Watch them, if they don't go to the water in 15+ minutes, do it again, for each one. Do not have water in something they can fall into, or they could drown. A small saucer or if something more than 1/2" T, put rocks/marbles in it to keep them from falling into and drowning. I have used a demitasse saucer.

 

[C Siena]

Click on this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...der-picture-heavy-update.956958/post-28365196 . Then click on "1", the first post and you will see pictures of how to set up a MHP.

I used a piece of old wire fencing. I used an old dish towel to cover the heating pad from their poop. I applied duck tape to secure it. Mine did not look as nice but it worked. They will get under it, like mamma's wings, to warm up.

If you are using a heat lamp, have the food and water away from the heat source, so they can get away from heat as needed.

If you don't understand, as I am typing this quickly, ask questions. I'll try to find someone knowledgeable with quail.

 

[C Siena]

@Nabiki @007Sean can you or another quail person help here?

 

[007Sean]

You can use a tote as a brooder. Put a ceramic heat bulb, like a reptile bulb, above one end of the tote. You can get the buld at Walmart, in the pet section, it's a 150watt bulb. Temperature should be 95°F for the 1st week, then decrease the temperature by 5°F each week until fully feathered or the ambient temperature is 70°F. Place a thermometer at the chick's level in the brooder, usually on the floor of the brooder. The temperature can be adjusted by lowering or raising the bulb to get the desired temperature.

A 24% gamebird feed ration should be fed, usually crumbles, you may have to crush it a little more for about a week so they can eat it. They will also need a 'drown proof' waterer.
If they bunch up in the brooder they are cold, if they are as far away from the heat source, then it's too hot. Here's a few photos of a typical set up. This is a 50 gallon rubbermaid tote. If you need further assistance, please ask!

 

[GodLovesU]

You can also find more info here!

 

[pac]

I'll be the one to ask.
Why would your neighbor incubate eggs if they are clueless what to do if they hatch?

Or are these type of threads started just to keep us on our toes?

First thing I would do is stick them back in the incubator for a day. That gives you half a day to get everything ready we talk about in a million threads here every day.

 

[C Siena]

I know you asked about quail 3 weeks ago, so hopefully you are prepared with the information given here and the links given here and in the other post.
Wishing you the best.