Quail, Quail, Everywhere!

[Rammy]

Hatched out some Jumbo Cortunix Quail yesterday and today. Total of 22 chicks from over 40 eggs hatched. Out of those 40, only 25 or so were fertile. The guy I got them from had one rooster to 20 hens. Not suprised many werent fertile.
Just checked on them and found one dead. It was the last one hatched this morning with assistance. It had gotten shrink wrapped because doofus me wasnt paying attention to the humidity level. I had left it in the incubator to dry out while I was at work and put it in with the others when I got home. Seemed to be fine. Not sure why it died but it wasnt under the heat plate when I found it.
So still have 21. Planning on keeping one rooster and maybe 5 or 6 hens for meat and eggs.

 

[CrealCritter]

Sweet

 

[farmerjan]

They are so tiny....smaller than the old English game bantam chicks....

 

[Rammy]

They are so tiny....smaller than the old English game bantam chicks....

Yeah, super tiny. Dropped 2 of them trying to transfer to the brooder but luckily they are ok. Eating and running around like crazy. Last night they were all under the heat plate but this morning about 10 of them were piled in the opposite corner.
Ive heard Quail are suicidal after hatching for some reason, like trying to drown themselves, but deliberatley dying from exposure is a new one to me.

 

[Rammy]

A little bummed....lost another chick today. Looks like another is on its way out. So Im down to 19 chicks. The others seem to be doing ok. Guess we'll see.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Have you given them Poultry Nutri-Drench? IMO, that is an absolute MUST have when starting chicks.

 

[Rammy]

Yep. I think they are just weak. The ones that died were smaller than the rest. Losing some was expected.

 

[baymule]

I raised those some 40 years ago. They lay like crazy, mature quickly and are good eating. Once you get a good start, they will do the rest.

 

[Rammy]

I just put 1/2 inch wire over the existing 1" wire on one of my brooder boxes in the barn to move them out there in a couple days. Figure they cant wiggle or walk thru THAT. But they may prove me wrong.
Last time I hatched them out about a year ago I sold them all. Thought about keeping just a few for the meat and eggs considering things are probably going to get real bad soon. Hedging my bets, so to speak.

 

[Rammy]

Moved the quailets to the barn brooder. Have 15 total left. Guess I'll see how many are gping to make it to adulthood. Have been putting electolytes and nutridrench in thier water. Im giving them chick starter especially formulated for game bird chicks. Sad to find one just passed away when it was fine the day before.