Where did I go wrong? - Coturnix Quail

[naf_appaz]

I hatched some early October and they are not laying either. Shorter days and cold weather will shut them off. Once the days get longer probably end of March early April they will start. In the summer they start as early as nine weeks...at least that's been my experience.

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

I hatched some early October and they are not laying either. Shorter days and cold weather will shut them off. Once the days get longer probably end of March early April they will start. In the summer they start as early as nine weeks...at least that's been my experience.

I added lights four nights ago to extend the days. No extra eggs yet, but one of my boys let out his first crow. Looks like it’s helping the boys, but I hope he doesn’t get to crazy with the calling. I had to cull two boys that competed with each other all day and night...

 

[naf_appaz]

good move...males do not get along once they are mating. I hatch about 30 at a time. after 3 weeks a little less when its' warm they go from brooder to cage all together, about 6 to 7 weeks males will start to crow and show signs of aggresion. At that point I divide my cage in half and select the 2 best looking males and 14 to 16 of the best looking hens. 1 cock to 7 or 8 hens on each side. The rest are Sunday supper with gravy and wild rice. I usually do this cycle 3 or 4 times a year. last hatch in the fall I keep them over the few coldest mos. in winter. Assuming your in Costa Mesa Cali with some extra light in the winter they should lay all year. If possible I would suggest using a plant growing type light bulb or flourescent as the color spectrum can help. I don't bother with added light as my chickens provide plenty eggs for the winter months. I've been raising quail for about 5 years and still learn new stuff every cycle and on this site.

 

[naf_appaz]

One more thing I do once a year is get a different bloodline by not keeping any of my hatched males. This will keep your small flock geneticly healthy. I like the jumbo meat maker browns because its easy to sex them prior to maturity. Once in awhile I will use Texas A&M cocks they are mostly white with black spots and it's interesting how the chicks are randomly spotted also allows you to recognize your individual birds.

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

Well.... I may have killed my eggs. After three good days of humidity in the 36-40 and temp in the 99.5-101 ranges, I woke up this morning to 12% and 103.4.... not even sure how it could swing like that overnight. I added some water and everything evened out. I’m going to keep them in there in hopes that some make it, but I may just be slow roasting eggs at this point. Such a bummer.

 

[naf_appaz]

keep at it, spikes like that won' kill them if not to long. Quail can hatch in the desert....

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

keep at it, spikes like that won' kill them if not to long. Quail can hatch in the desert....

Thanks for the affirmation! That’s exactly what I thought. “These are desert birds”... no idea how long it went that high. But I’m halfway through, crossing fingers some healthy ones pop out. Thanks again.

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

Wrapping up day 16 and no pips. Discouragement setting in... I know hatch day is 17, but seems like there should be some gearing up already. Crossing fingers.

 

[naf_appaz]

keep your brooder ready could be day 19...good luck

 

[CostaMesaQuail]

keep your brooder ready could be day 19...good luck

I hope so.... really worried that the one day when humidity dropped and temp spiked overnight killed them all. Thanks for the positive reinforcement!