Coturnix Quail Basics- Information and Pictures Galore

[firestomp]

I haven't kept quail for a long time but I have done a lot of research and do have some experience now

I have my adult birds on game bird layer (22% protein) which is diluted a bit by seeds, banana, blueberries, etc. treats.

If I noted the eggs were too large/incidences of prolapse I would try to get a few percent less rather than further dilute with treats to make sure they're still getting balanced nutrition, if I noticed they were pecking at each other's feathers to eat them/weren't laying as they should I would try laying off the treats and if that didn't improve things I would try a higher percentage of protein.

I'm jealous of your bobwhites

but I think coturnix are enough for me ^^

Thanks Binki,
I am cutting the 30% game bird with layer crumble. This gives me 24% protein. Never thought about bananas and such, They love greens of most any kind, my chicory and turnip tops should come back soon, especially with the crazy weather we are having. No prolapses from either breed, double yolkers are pretty common with my Coturnix, maybe the lower protein will help that. I am expanding my BOB WHITES this year. They will have a 4x20 foot run with natural cover to play in. I will hatch s bunch out soon and then the Coturnix quail as well. I have read they will interbreed. I am going to play with this a bit. I will use a Bob male, and 5 Coturnix females, then try to hatch out eggs. I will use the Coturnix incubation time(17days) since the layers will be Coturnix and see what happens, if needed I will switch to the Bobs incubation time. Will have me some COBOBS, haha.

 

[firestomp]

I know this thread really isnt for this, but i cannot find standard sized quail hatching eggs anywhere and figured I would reach out on here; Does anyone sell or know of someone who sells standard size quail hatching eggs?

I know stromberg chickens does, but they charge you an arm and a leg for the eggs...

Are you wanting to train with Coturnix or Bob Whites? A lot of the cost is for shipping. I got my Bobs from Stromberg, who uses an outside breeder. I had a terrible hatch rate and 15 were not fertile. They sent out replacements plus for those, free of charge. I also used her advice and upped the humidity to 70% on the last 3 days or the hands off days. had a much better hatch. I now have 3 males and 7 females, will be taking 1 male out this spring and using him for a try at mix breeding with Coturnix hens.

 

[Stiyu]

I enjoyed reading the information and seeing the pictures. My quail have hay in their nesting boxes which my female uses. At first the females would only lay eggs on the ground outside of the coop area but as they got a little older they began laying in the nesting box. I will get some pictures up of the coop and the nesting box for everyone to see. I did have around 18 quail at one time but when something came up and I moved I down sized my stock to just one male and one female in my quail.

I do not own an incubator nor do I know how to use one, so we mostly eat the eggs now. Here soon I hope the female will start setting so we can get some chicks.

 

[wesgef9]

So I'm pretty new to quail, I have owned them in the past but am hoping to give it another try. But I'm on a budget and was wondering what the cheapest housing would be for them?

 

[Stiyu]

This is my quail coop it is nearly 4 years old now and time to get fresh coat on it and maybe paint it. I didn't paint it when I got it because I loved the natural wood color. This is one of the cheapest methods for qauil unless you go with the wire cages or rabbit hutches I hae seen some use. I myself prefer these because the quail do not like to be spaced too far apart, huddle for heat when resting and they still have plenty of room for roaming. Also, these are light enough I can pick it up myself if need to. Also very easy to move around the yard too keep fresh ground beneath them. Fair warning is that they will scratch up and eat all of the grass around them if left in one spot too long even with feed for them.

I gave around $200 for mine from Tractor Supply, here is a link of one of their cheaper models which would still work perfectly for the quail.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/advantek-the-tower-chicken-coop

 

[firestomp]

I enjoyed reading the information and seeing the pictures. My quail have hay in their nesting boxes which my female uses. At first the females would only lay eggs on the ground outside of the coop area but as they got a little older they began laying in the nesting box. I will get some pictures up of the coop and the nesting box for everyone to see. I did have around 18 quail at one time but when something came up and I moved I down sized my stock to just one male and one female in my quail.

I do not own an incubator nor do I know how to use one, so we mostly eat the eggs now. Here soon I hope the female will start setting so we can get some chicks.

I am surprised she isn't beat up real bad since you only have 1 female, a good ratio is 5 hens to 1 male. As for her hatching eggs, not if she is a Coturnix, they won't sit eggs. I'm not sure my Bobs even will in the setup they have. I am starting a large setup this spring with natural cover and a deep bed of mulched maple tree, good soil, and compst that has been setting since late summer. I also raise red worms and will start them in there as well. Since it will be on the ground, I should get a natural cycle for waste control and with the cover and some hay. My new Bob Whites may hatch out some on their own. Good luck

 

[runt325]

Is this a quail chick

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[lightchick]

Is this a quail chick

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That looks like a chicken chick to me. Not sure what breeds though.

 

[happyquail318]

:3 thx for the tips! Now I know much more about the coturnix, when they hatch I'll determine what type of coturnix they are.

 

[AuQuail]

One of my hens has gone crazy... Lost the plot! Very vicious and upset with the one male (1:6 ratio)

Happen suddenly last week. It just started attacking the roo and some time the other hens. U could see n feel the tension in there.. She be growling.. I separated her for 3 days.. And as soon as i put her back.. Right away!! Everything was in turmoil. I ended up taking the roo out. And the hens were all perfectly in harmony.

The roo with out any females would crow like mad non stop... So ended up taking one female to accompany him.

Did that for 2 days then put everyone back as per the normal (1;6 ratio) seems OK..came home at end of day.... The male I think is missing one eye.. Or badly injured..

But the tension was no high.... Male was in a corner..injured...


When I say high tension is.. The crazy hen would be running/sprinting here and there and growling.. And the male would pick on her as if he knew she didn't like him... The rest of the hen would be on hi alert.. Not relax with all the commotion..

So for now.. Roo is in hospital cage... Alone.

Any insight ..? Explanation /advice?


Another question.

On my 2nd batch of eggs in incubator. (now day 11)
Put in 76 eggs after 5 days candling found 4 infertile glowing clear whilst the rest had veins and moving.

My first batch.. From day 1 I had humidity up 55 to 60 (due to me not fully reading the book/forum properly) in the excitement of it all...

Had in 24 eggs, 1 unfertile, one I cracked whilst candling (dead in shell) 2 that pipped but could unzip. (helped them both out) 1 had crooked neck.. And no not looking good. Other was weak.. After 2 days. I had to put down the one with crooked neck. The other was fine just smaller then the rest.

1 with splayed legs, after bracing it. Sat it in a little jar to have right position.. 3 days later I decided to put it down as well.. As it was not getting better, floor traction no issue.

20 baby chick now 15 days old and going wellnin brooder.

On this 1st batch ever I realised my air sack on day 14 was too small! I dumped the water all out and ran the incubator with lid open partly but still maintaining 37.5 C

Had a few crooked feet which all fixed now (15 days old)

I realised high humidity = small air sac.

So tonight right now... being day 11 the air sack is still somewhat small, like on day 4-5.

From day 1 Running dry with no water. Humidity is 35 - 38

Being in Melbourne Australia weather is dry with low humidity.

So why now day 11 sac is still small, thought it should grow till day 14ish... Then look down and turn up the humidity.

Thanks.