Several Questions on Quail

[rodriguezpoultry]

I won't act like I know anything about quail...because I'm VERY new to them but I have some questions.

They go gah-gah for chick starter and grower. Is it alright to keep them on this? They are approximately 4 weeks old.

How long before they start laying?

Are they always quiet or do they get REALLY loud? Personally, it sounds like singing to me, not a "crow" or anything. I have males and females.

How many females to each male?

Do they need nestboxes or will they lay anywhere they please?

 

[quailbrain]

I keep my button quail on game starter for ever because of the nutrion in it. For the Coturnix I would be trading up to a egg layer when they are 6 weeks.

What type of quail do you have. Coturnix start laying at 6 weeks. Buttons 8-10 weeks.

I personally am using nest boxes for my Coturnix. The buttons seem to lay in a covered area but not always the box.

For hens It depends on what type of quail...

 

[JJMR794]

What Speces Of Quail?

Also They Do Ok On Chick Starter More Often Than Not.... But It Can Be Detrimental To Them, It Can Cause Constipation Which Will Kill Them. They Do Best On Gamebird Starter Which Is A Different Formula And A Higher Protien% Which Allows Them To Reach Max Size In Minimum Time As That Is What Quail Do....

As Far As Quiet Vs Loud--- This Depends Greatly On The Speces Of Quail And The Age. I Know Of No Speces That Is Loud At 4 Wks Of Age... However If They Are Coturnix Quail When The Roos Start Crowing , Usually Around 6-8 Wks Of Age They Can Be Loud If They Do It In Close Proximity To You. Bob Whites Speces Are Rarely Loud, But Can Get A Rythmical Chant Going And It Can Be Heard From A Short Distance Away..... They Do Not Crow Like Coturnix. Tho Some Bob Whites Do That "bob- Bob- White" Whistle Type Of Call. Mostly They Just Do A Lower "gurrrreeeerrrr" Sounding Call Which Can Escalate In Both Frequency And Volume If They Get Wound Up. As Well As Soft QuIET Chukles When They See You At Feeding Time Or If They Are Trying To Avoid Getting Caught By You When In A Cage.

If You Do A Search Monarch Has Posted Recordings Of Many Coturnix Vocalizations.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

They'd be the Coturnix quail!

The babies haven't lost their head fuzz yet....when will that be replaced by the feathers? 6 weeks?! Wow!

How many quail eggs = chicken eggs? So if I change to a layer crumble for the quail they will be better off?

 

[quailbrain]

Layer crumble has more calcium which is needed for eggs. Depending on Jumbo I think it is 4 quail is 1 chicken.

 

[ugly ducky]

I only feed Gamebird 28% Starter. The higher protein does really well for them.
As far as noise, I think that depends on your tolerance. When my first ones began crowing, they drove me nuts, but after a while, I guess I learned to tune it out, as it doesn't bother me at all anymore.
You don't need nest boxes. Coturnix will lay wherever.
I house mine in 30" X30" wire cages suspended in my barn, with usually 7 females to 2 males. That ratio gives me good fertility and everyone gets along really well.
I have Jumbo Browns and Jumbo Goldens, and they are the nicest, friendliest birds. Very easy to handle and fun to watch. Just hatched out 54 today...it's amazing how fast they grow and reproduce! Welcome to the world of Quail!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Personally, I don't think a nest box is a bad idea. Mine always seem to lay their eggs in their dust pans, I'm thinking if they had a nest box they'd probably use it. Of course, they'd probably poop in it too, so it's kind of hit and miss with that.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

What size nest box do they need?

Do they roost? I have a perch up there for them, but they seem happier to sleep on the wire bottom?

 

[saddina]

Quote:
Ground birds, so no roosting. Box? maybe a 10X10 inch?

 

[AHappychick]

check out
Monarc23's post on it has all the info you need and so much more.

they lay where ever although mine too sometimes lay in their dust bath bin, about 6-8 weeks for the pharoh, & a&m to lay longer for other breeds. they need at least 12 hours of light 14 is better to lay, the boys begin crowing at about 6-8 weeks also. sounds cute but some do it non stop, those go to freezer camp lol

I feed chick starter with either scrambled eggs or ground sunflower seeds to their feed for extra protein. and add oyster shell or eggs shell (ground up in coffee grinder) for added calcium once they sart laying. The higher protein is important or they might become egg eaters or pick on each other.

I found that 3-4 hens per roo is good, any less than 3 and they are over sexed.

They also are not nice to newbies so decide your coveys while they are young and try not to switch them up much. everytime I do I end up with injuries.

they are lots of fun. and tasty too