yoo-hoo, quick question (monarc??)

[lauramacf]

I ran into the lady I got my quail from today and she said another family who adopted three of the school-incubated quail is looking to get rid of them. I know it would be the bare minimum, but if they are all hens shall I take them and put them in with Popcorn? Could the boys share them back and forth, or is it better to keep hens with one male forever?

If this doesn't pan out I may still see if I can find any more of the quail from this batch. Can't help myself!

 

[SamG347]

Umm I'm not monarc but I know she would vouch for me knowing what I'm talking about when it comes to Coturnix. Yes that should be fine. The boys will share...but they might also get a lil fiesty with eachother from time to time. But it should be fine. You might want to get more hens to. With both of those boys and only 3 girls...the girls will probably get worn quick.
Good Luck!

 

[monarc23]

Yep I agree with Sam! But knowing your situation with your boys already being separated, just realize that you'll only be swapping them back and forth for the roos enjoyment LOL! I say that because you wont be able to guarrentee (if you hatch their eggs) whos' papa of what chick. I thikn it's something like 2 weeks before a hen bred to one roo, can start having offspring from another roo.

Dont hold me to that but im pretty sure that's what i read. So if you're just doing it to make your boys more complete in their lives then go for it! I do agree though you need a few more hens

if that was me...I'd keep all three hens with one roo. Like I wouldnt take one hen of those three and give it to the other in the mean time. Like Sam said they'll get worn out quickly coturnix roos are rough to hens...well can be.

Congrats on getting more!!!!!

 

[lauramacf]

Well, we'll see if it happens. I haven't heard from them yet, and I'm wondering if maybe they already got rid of them. I'm wondering where all these quail are going that the families adopt and later decide against. Wish I had a bigger place with fewer community rules about fowl, I'd be rich in quail! I think if I get hens I'll put them in with popcorn and keep them there. Then later I'll get some more for Runner. I get the feeling runner will need more ladies. He is pretty aggressive. So now my coop plans will expand a little bit, so there will be room to accommodate a few more birds. I want them running all over my garden for the fertilizer. Funny, these quail started out as my daughter's pets, but they are pretty much mine now!

Of course, my husband is acting a little unconvinced. But as long as I get them outside he should be okay with it. My immediate neighbor used to raise quail, so he won't have a problem with it, and the neighbor on the other side is another homeschooling family who is thinking of incubating quail in the spring, so they'd love it if I have fertile eggs to give them (hey, more quail for me eventually!). I only have to worry about the neighbors behind us, probably. And I really don't think they'll even know they are there, especially once the boys each have their own little coops and runs.

Now, I have to figure out all the details. Like wing clipping.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
Wing clipping is easy....I need to clip a Coturnix wings today so I'll be back with photo steps if my hubby is willing to help me ha ha (i can clip myself, but i cant take pictures AND clip lol)!

Congrats on your plans and that all your neighbors (well atleast the ones to your sides) w ill be cool with it! I think your idea with Popcorn getting the hens now is great!

If you want, get yourself an incubator and in the spring I'll send ya a few for free (just pay shipping). I'd be more than happy to get you started with some! And just think, in 6 weeks they'll be ready to go in with your boys and will be on their way to laying eggs themselves.

Or your homeschooled neighbors, could hatch em for ya (and keep some yourself). I'd be happy to help some kids be educational!

 

[monarc23]

Wing Clipping Coturnix and other small biddies 101...

Meet "Henny Penny"
She is our coturnix model for this evening....slightly willling participant...okay...not at all...

I wrapped her up in some paper towels (just like you would an infant) then I delicatly pulled the wing out I wanted to work with first. even though im left handed, Icut with my right hand, hence why she's in my left hand...so the first one may be different from you.

Then I take my pointer and middle finger, pointer finger on the inner wing, middle finger on the outer wing-----(i cut her wings myself, if hubby hadnt had been playing the game I would have had him help....just for pictures, i personal think it's easier to do it yourself once you get hte hang of it). If a person helps they can just hold the tip of the first few feathers that will be snipped off.

^Red line shows where to cut above. To the left of the red line starts the birds flesh dont wanna snip that ofcourse lol!

I layed the scissors down to take this picture of the position I snip in:

^After

NOW! Some people stop snipping at this point saying that the bird can no longer fly. Some dont even snip the other side. Well I am here to say that cutting onlythose flight feathers doesnt always stop a bird from flying off. I clipped just those flight feathers on a pigeon one time on both wings...that bird flew over 2 football fields away after I clipped the wings....and it flew high! Luckily for some reason it flew right back to me...but still....scary.

So I cut BOTH sides, and all of the flight feathers....doesnt hurt them, and they grow back quite quick...so always keep an eye on that.

Heres after I cut all the flight feathers off:

^that wing is done

NOW even now, some people stop if they cut all of that off, but im sorry iv' seen a bird with only one wing cut it's pretty pitiful. Some have a hard time ballancing, and others try valliantly to still fly...and they end up doing circles. So I cut both wings the same and they end up realizing very soon they cannot fly.

For the other side, I flip the bird over in my same hand, using pointer finger on the top of the wing, and middle finger in the inner part of the wing...with the birds belly in my hand (still wrapped up or they will scratch ya trying to get away):

after:

And finnished Henny Penny greatful to be going back in her cage:

hope it helps!

 

[lauramacf]

OMGosh! Monarc, you are absolutely amazing! I just checked in and saw your clipping tutorial, what would I do without you!? Henny Penny is a wonderful model!

How exactly do you hold these birds so well? In that first photo, are you holding her feet?

I haven't heard anything about hens, so I'm assuming that there are none left. Sigh. Need to start planning our incubating. I also homeschool my kids, so I can make the experience do double duty: feeds my obsession and educates the kids at the same time!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
Ha ha im glad you appreciated it! I was hoping you'd come by and see it!

Im happy you did!

As for in the first photo...couldn't tell ya. LOL! Honestly I just pick them up making sure im holding their wings tight to their sides, if I also grab thier feet, that's fine if not, that's fine too. Though I do notice if you hold their feet if you dont have a tight enough grip (but not too tight dont want dead releasing dove syndrome...*sigh* LOL) they will kick thier feet out and act like you're murdering them. Also if you Don't hold thier feet they can end up scratching you up.

I havent really found a perfect way to hold them, some coturnix are tricky lil buggars and will make sure to escape.

Also be forwarned, do not clip wings after they just drank....dont know why but coturnix get upset very easily, i've been puked on more times than I like to talk about....

! LOL!

*being just puked on yesterday....I remembered to tell this warning ha ha ha *