[Kate and her Ducks]

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!

[Kate and her Ducks]

Mum on her...



eggs...



Babies!




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.

[joyfull]

ooooh Kate little fluffy featherd bumbles, what a nice surprise 

[Aunt Sally]

They are delightful

[Kate and her Ducks]

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!

[bantam novice]

Totally adorable 

[New shoot]

Very cute 

[shetan]

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...

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww, they are lovely Kate! 

[JaK]

They are really sweet and must be teeny tiny.

[hillfooter]

Very cute.  You should call her Princess (of Quails).
HF

[LittleRedHen]

Oh Kate, they are precious!  What a lovely surprise so late in the year!   

[ANHBUC]

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.