Raising quail is an easy , fun , and finally reinforce hobby . Once your bird are adults , you get fresh quail egg ! Not a bad deal , right ? Quail are super easy to raise . This guide will show you how to raise quail chicks . pick the right breed of quail to leaven is important , so be sure you ’ve done your enquiry on the available types of domestic quail . in the main , we recommend starting with Coturnix quail .
Whether you ’ve nibble up some quail chicks from a local marketer or have prefer tohatch them yourself , this is how to bring up quail chicks .
The quail chick brooder
A brooder for quail chicks is a must - have if you be after to raise babe quail . The incubator should cater a secure and comfortable surround for the chicks to grow . It should ply plenty of room for the chicks to move around and explore , as well as warmth sources to control that the chicks stick around at a comfortable temperature . Be careful that you are n’t mug up too many quail chicks in too minor of a space . Overcrowding can make stress , result in chicks die from injury or disease .
Your brooder box will need to be kept at about 95 degrees Fahrenheit consistently during your quail chicks ’ first hebdomad of life . For the follow 4 calendar week , you’re able to reduce the temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit every hebdomad until they ’re 5 weeks old . At this time , they are middling much full feathered out and do n’t ask a heat source .
A good brooder should also be fit out with a feeder and waterer and a place for the chick to hide and feel secure . right ventilation and cleanliness is also essential to keep the chick salubrious and growing . Quail chicks can be frail creatures so it is significant to ascertain that their brooder is properly equip and maintain . Care should be taken not to offer chicks a water boy that is too deep , as drowning can take place . A waterer with Harlan Fisk Stone or marbles can prevent drowning . Fresh urine and food must be available at all time . Your chicks hatch knowing how to corrode and drink , but if they ’re very young , they may need you to help show them where the food and water is .
Feeding your chicks
Within 12 - 24 hours of hatching , your quail chicks should be move out of their incubator and into their brooder and immediately offer solid food . Quail chicks require a special diet to ensure that they develop and arise in good order . They should be fed a chick starter provender for the first 8 weeks of their life , preferably one specifically designed for quail , like a 25 - 28 % protein gamebird cultivator . A turkey newcomer provender will also ferment . If you plan to raise them for meat , I urge organic feed , just to avoid chemicals from the provender getting into the essence . It ’s more expensive but deserving it I think . For very untried chicks , you may have to grate their provender up into minuscule slice . I use an old coffee torpedo for this project .
After this period , they can be switched to a biz wench feed of 20 - 22 % protein . It is important to provide a invariant supply of white , fresh water and to ensure that the feed is gratuitous from mold and other contaminants . Quail doll can also do good from the plus of refreshful fruits and veg , and a atomic number 20 supplement such as crushed oyster case or cuttlebone . Feeding quail chicks is an important part of keeping them sizable and happy .
Raising quail chicks as pets
If your goal is to raise quail chicks as darling , you by all odds need to be very hands - on with them . If you do n’t cover and socialize with them enough , they may not become very committed to you . They ’re generally gentle and well-heeled to handle , but if you do n’t do by them a lot , they wo n’t just be friendly . At best , they ’ll tolerate you .
When kick upstairs chick as favorite , I try on to spend as much time with them as I can , up to several time of day a day . During this time , I handle them , pet them , feed them treats , and let them sleep on my lap . Doing each of these things helps them get used to you and trust you . You want them to know that you ’re a root of comfort and treats .
