Orphan baby quail, any help would be great!

[Bri]

So, yesterday I get out of my car and running across my driveway is a little yellow and black fluff ball. The neighbors run a bird farm of sorts so I'm assuming that's where it escaped from. I've been told it's a Bobwhite Quail, and from looking at pictures on google, looks like it. Problem being nobody actually lives on premises at the farm and they're only there at obscure hours of the morning, so taking the little guy back to them is next to impossible.

I can't bring myself to leave the tiny thing outside alone (it's not too warm here right now) so I've brought it inside, and it's currently living in an old hamster cage with pine shavings, hay and tissue paper. I have a regular 60watt desk lamp pointed at one corner, and it seems to enjoy that. I put a shallow dish of water with a flat pebble in it, but it keeps somehow spilling all the water out rather than drinking from it >.< I did manage to give it some water with a eye dropper. I have no clue what to feed it though! I offered it a bit of corn meal, as that was the only thing in my house I could think of being somewhat plausable, but it doesn't seem interested at all.

I have absolutely no bird raising experience, so I'm a little lost here on what to do for the little guy. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Bri

 

[ken429h]

You should probably contact your bird farming neighbor and see if they are missing some chicks. If so then return the chicks to them.
If after handling the adorable little critters you have the urge to raise quail, then do the research and raise them on your own terms. Trying to raise animals that just strayed in isn't a good idea. Unless it's a spices you have or are familiar with raising, like a dog or cat.

That's what I suggest you do.

Ken

 

[dixiechick]

I have raised quail (not by choice, but because someone gave them to my kids) on chick starter feed...which you can get at your local feed store...and mine did just fine. Sounds like you are a natural surrogate quail mother.

good luck...they are beautiful!

 

[Kullas]

if there is a tractor supply around the small quail waters that a mason jar screws onto is about 2$
Good Luck with your new chicks

 

[granmahen]

Quote:
I would just add to this, get a small animal bottle waterer, with the ball in the tip, put chick's beak up to it and squeeze the bottle to get some water out of it. The chick will know what to do from there. Definitely still needs some heat at night, you can probably get rid of the heat lamp in a week or so. And maybe some cardboard around the bottom sides of cage to keep off drafts. I raised ours this way until they could go outside in adult cage. Quail are so small and are great escape artists so be careful with them. Oh and they jump high and fly around so be careful when opening cage. Enjoy.

 

[macnugget]

Well they are Coturnix thats for sure

 

[Sillystunt]

Well i say, she found you NOT you found her! I think they eat game bird feed. I am not knowledged in quail but want one

They will fly away so they need to be in an enclosed space. They don't require alot of room either. Alot of people use bunny hutches or old small chicken tractors to keep them. Leave a note at the neighbors house and explain she wandered on your property and you love her. She what they say???? They might be jerks and want her back or you pay for her.....or they might do what i would do.........tell you to keep good care of it!!! It's one quail not a flock

 

[Highland Moongazer]

If you're keeping 'em, look for Havahart rabbit starter kits (you can even find them on Amazon if you don't want to look for one physically. They make great homes for just a few quail. Just remember to tape the bottom of the feeder so it doesn't spill everywhere.

 

[saddina]

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

Start by reading this post, it'll cover most of what you need. Solo quail are lonely things, be ready to get it a friend.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
You think it's coturnix? It looks to have only 1 stripe on it's head. Coturnix have 2.

As stated by others, you can feed them just chick starter, but boil an egg for now and give that to them. Then go to a feed store and get a bag of chick starter.

Also, the dish that you have for water sounds fine, the problem is probably that they are kicking the bedding into the water. Take an overturned plate or something to raise the dish up higher and this problem should stop