Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: Kate and her Ducks on October 06, 2011, 19:53

Title: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on October 06, 2011, 19:53: Well the other day as I was coming to the end of working nights I noticed that one of my quail always seemed to be in the same spot but didin't think much of it as quail don't go broody often and it was September after all!

By the end of nights it was clear that she was determindly broody and so will very little expectation of her sitting to the end I decided to leave her to it.

In the really hot weather she seemed to abandon the eggs so thought that was it but the moment it got cooler she was on them all the time.

This morning I woke to find she had thrown an egg out of the nest and there was an egg shell next to it. Was still dark so couldnt investigate properly but came back tonight to a new Mummy Quail with 7 fluffy babies! They haven't half picked a miserable day to join the world but seem happy and healthy with Mum.

Will try to upload some pics but in the meantime think I need a name for Mum as she hasn't had one till now!
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on October 06, 2011, 20:02: Mum on her...

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0002.jpg)

eggs...

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0003.jpg)

Babies!

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0007.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0006.jpg)

Going to have to leave her alone as she is very protective and upset when I disturb her but couldn't resist taking this video.

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/th_IMG_0015.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/?action=view&current=IMG_0015.mp4)
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: joyfull on October 06, 2011, 20:05: ooooh Kate little fluffy featherd bumbles, what a nice surprise :D
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 06, 2011, 20:06: They are delightful :D
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on October 06, 2011, 20:09: Not really sure she has got the idea of spring being for chicks not autumn but I guess if she can keep them at a steady temp to develop and hatch then she will be able to keep them warm not they have hatched. I did buy one of those insulated hutch covers though just to try and keep them a bit warmer!
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: bantam novice on October 06, 2011, 21:59: Totally adorable :D
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: New shoot on October 07, 2011, 06:35: Very cute :D
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: shetan on October 07, 2011, 08:20: are the chick's colourings just variables or can they be sexed at this age by feathers?

gorgeous little bundles. mum's a bit nuts....but hey ho..i think my kids will say the same thing about me some day...
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 07, 2011, 09:04: Awww, they are lovely Kate! :) :)
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: JaK on October 07, 2011, 12:49: They are really sweet and must be teeny tiny.
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: hillfooter on October 07, 2011, 16:09: Very cute. You should call her Princess (of Quails). 8)
HF
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: LittleRedHen on October 08, 2011, 18:00: Oh Kate, they are precious! What a lovely surprise so late in the year! :)
Title: Re: Been a bit naughty. New babies!
Post by: ANHBUC on October 09, 2011, 13:29: What a clever mummy quail, you could call her Precious as it is unusual for them to go broody. You are very lucky. What breed of quail are they?

We have just got 4 young Italian quail but not sure of the sexes yet as they are 5 to 7 weeks old and need to be 8 to 10 weeks to be sexed by their plumage. Hoping we have 3 hens and one cock bird.