REPOST never got answers

[casportpony]

I don't know how to do that either.

Merging threads is something that staff members do when requested. Don't worry about it.

I assume the eggs can be eaten yes, but I know people who will not take them if they are fertile eggs, so that's why I don't want them fertilized until I am ready for more quail

Yeah, some people are funny about eating fertile eggs.

 

[TwoCrows]

Sorry I never saw it. Can you tell me if they are going broody? :- (

Sounds like the one that came after your ankle is going broody! It is actually fairly common for quail to go broody, especially those kept in aviaries and open areas. (Cages tend to squelch broodiness.) However whats rare is them staying broody for the entire incubation period. They will sometimes start the process but then give up and abandon the eggs. But yes, females will come after you when broody!

Let them do their thing if you wish. If you have fertile eggs for them, you never do know, you might get chicks!

 

[Jus1]

Two crows. Should I put a few males back in them? I put them separate because the girls were packing bald sore spots on some of their heads. Since I took them out the girls are relaxed. There was 15 males in there though at that time, I knew that was too many, just had to wait until we got the hutch built. My females are in a nice ground pen.

 

[TwoCrows]

Two crows. Should I put a few males back in them? I put them separate because the girls were packing bald sore spots on some of their heads. Since I took them out the girls are relaxed. There was 15 males in there though at that time, I knew that was too many, just had to wait until we got the hutch built. My females are in a nice ground pen.

Wow thats a lot of males! The correct ratio is 1 roo is 5-7 hens. You might put 1 in with them a couple hours a day for a week or so IF you want fertile eggs. But males wont make them more broody, males can be more of an annoyance wanting to constantly breed.

 

[Jus1]

Yes I have noticed they seem much happier without them. They are more mellow and just laying in their sand boxes. If I add 1 back for a few hours here and there will he be attacked when I put him back with the other males or will it take longer than that for them to forget he was there already and not a new male?

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes I have noticed they seem much happier without them. They are more mellow and just laying in their sand boxes. If I add 1 back for a few hours here and there will he be attacked when I put him back with the other males or will it take longer than that for them to forget he was there already and not a new male?

A couple hours shouldn't matter, they dont forget that fast. You might alternate males too since you have so many. That way different males are gone randomly.

 

[Jus1]

Well I have them all in 1 hutch. It would be hard for me to know which male I am getting unless you have an idea about that too?

 

[TwoCrows]

Experiment with your birds. Each flock is different, each bird has a different personality. Each flock has its learning curve.

And yes, the hens will do so much better without the boys hanging around!

 

[Jus1]

Hopefully my last questions for now as you have been very patient and helpful. Is there a way I can find you directly and pick your brain if needed? I am far from becoming an expert just yet even though I am getting ready to incubate another batch of eggs. You have been an amazing help while I'm a neurotic mess lol

 

[TwoCrows]

Well I have them all in 1 hutch. It would be hard for me to know which male I am getting unless you have an idea about that too?

If you spend enough time staring at them, LOL, you can see some differences in the markings on the face and body. However with 15 of them, this might take some time! You might then pick out 2 or 3 males and with a colored marker put a small dot on the top of the head and write down who is who on a piece of paper. Red goes in today, black goes in Monday, blue on Tuesday, and so on. I would bet the hens would rather know these boys so pick 2 or 3 and stick with them.