Day 15 - coturnix quail

I'm not sure a hen could cope with quail chicks... they are supercharged!

Quail should be kept in an aviary-type enclosure as they are very flighty and tend to jump vertically in the air when surprised (i.e. all the time!)

I have 3 week old quail chicks and they are driving me batty with how flighty they are lol

These are my first quail and they are an experience 

As I was moving them from the incy to the brooder one jumped out of my hand ('cos I was scared to squish them as they are soooo tiny) and just 24 hours after hatching 1 quail was running all over my spare room - it certainly gave me the run around until I managed to catch it again.

Do you have quail coloured quail or do you have differed colours?

I have 5 "normal" and three which are a bit different.  They are adorable though (when not doing the VTAL) and make the cutest noises 

I have a couple of coturnix quail which I hatched successfully with some chucks in the incy, they are brill. really tame and follow me everywhere in the garden, although I know most quail will fly off!

I'm hoping to keep them with her, obviously keeping an eye on her, but just preparing for them to be so small that they cause her a bit of trouble! Goin to an auction tomorrow so may get a couple of day olds if worst come to worst. Like you say joyful she has been ever such a good mum upto now!

I'll keep you informed!

Steve

Hiya Guys,

5 out of the 7 quail eggs hatched wednesday night/thursday morning. My initial fear was that my silkie wouldn't be able to care for the quail or would end up squashing them! I didn't remove the chicks but kept my eye on her!

Good news, the 5 are all still ok and she is doing an excellent job. She is so careful with the babies as they are so tiny! So it has worked!

She is happy she has her babies joyful :-)

Steve