The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: funkyfish on July 06, 2012, 08:37:06 pm

Title: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: funkyfish on July 06, 2012, 08:37:06 pm

I've accidentally (long story!) hatched some quail, 2 out of 6 have hatched (at hens eggs temp..) I really wasn't prepared for them, so am keeping them in a large tuper wear container (on kitchen roll and have drilled air holes in it!) on a reptile heat mat. they are eating etc and not noisy so I'm hoping this is enough for the next few days?? How old are they before they can go outside/ - I would have done a ton of research before now if I thought they would hatch... Any tips for brooding them?


Also any tips on how to deal with a smug hubby? - I swore they wouldn't do, eggs from farm shop and wrong temp etc..

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: Pasture Farm on July 06, 2012, 08:49:39 pm

LOL    ive hatched hundreds    they must be kept warm once hatched idealy under a heat lamp. 35deg until they have their feathers feed them ground chick crumb until feathered then they need quail pelletts (Marriages) at around 8 weeks old they will be ok outside but must able to get out of the cold. At around 8-10 weeks they will be laying and if you have a cock and hens you can start again.  :thumbsup:   Good luck 

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: funkyfish on July 06, 2012, 08:54:49 pm

THANKS! Thats what I thought from having a very quick look online.  :)

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: in the hills on July 06, 2012, 09:06:02 pm

As Pasture Farm says. Much the same requirements as brooding chickens.


I find they are fully feathered and ready for outside by 5-6 weeks old.


They can be fed Layers mash if you can't get the quail pellets.

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: omnipeasant on July 06, 2012, 09:51:02 pm

Oh yee  of little faith, fancy thinking they wouldn't hatch!!  ::)

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: funkyfish on July 06, 2012, 11:42:36 pm

Well they seem to be doing ok, stuffing their faces with soaked chick crumbs and pecking everything. The eggs had been washed (by me) not settled and incubated at wrong temp. So it was meant to be as they have got his far!

Have fallen in love with them, hope they are 2 girls or I'll have to go and buy some more girls in a couple months! Need to find a cheap secure arc for them as well. Was thinking of keeping them in an arc within my movable chicken compound so can have regular freash ground.

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: omnipeasant on July 07, 2012, 02:03:23 pm

Hee hee I love my little quailies. only problem is getting them to go into the hut part of the arc so we can move it more often. They are straight into raptor mode, dispatching slugs when we move the arc.

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: WarescotFarm on July 08, 2012, 10:34:37 pm

Ohhh I have some quail questions too
Can they go in with chickens and can they live outside all year round?
thanks
any pics of your chicks?

Title: Re: Damn, the quail hatched!
Post by: Pasture Farm on July 12, 2012, 07:24:46 am

They can go in  with Chickens but its not ideal and will need to be contained else you wont see them again  :wave:  Also they need their own food (higher protien)All year round is ok but they need to be able get out of the cold