Help!!!!

On Mothers day I accidentaly scared a mother off her nest. I watched for 24 hours and she never returned. My wife and I brought the eggs in and put them on a heating pad. They have progressed and are now at 21 days. Apparently we are supposed to up the humidity so they can hatch. We have never incubated eggs before and do not have the proper equipment. Any suggestions how we can increase the humidity without cooling the eggs would be much appreciated.

Hi Phil

Are the eggs still viable? If the mother left them for 24 hours without heat then any surviving eggs will likely hatch a day later. I wouldn't worry to much about humidity until they have pipped the shell then put a shallow bowl/dish of water in with the eggs ... just be careful that hatched chicks don't drown in it.

Please let us know how they get on ..... fingers crossed they make it

Suz

Suz, I have used a light and most of them have developed. When I returned from work, one of them is starting to pip and I can hear it chirping. I am nervous about the whole thing and want to do the best I can with my limited equipment etc. Thanks for the advice.

Hey Phil

I'm hoping for an update Have any hatched yet?

Suz

Suz, Thanks for your interest. Three out of the seven are out, the fourth is trying hard to escape, and two other are pipping. We are very excited How long does it take them to walk well? Two are running around, but the third is still just kind of flopping after 5 hours. Should I be concerned? Thanks for all of your assistance. This has been a great experience. Phil

Oh well done

The length of time it takes for chicks to recover from hatching can vary depending on how tiring/stressful the hatch was, but have you checked his feet? just have a look at his toes and if they look curled in try gently massaging them straight every few hours.

Just a couple of daft tips that you probably know all ready ....

I use a red bulb to heat the chicks in the brooder box, for a small hatch a 60 watt bulb used indoors is sufficient.

Put pebbles/marbles in a shallow dish for there water, young hatching's are suicidal and drowning seems to be the preferred method

Crush the starter crumb for the first week, sprinkle some around the feed dish and tap at it to encourage the babies to eat.

Good luck with your new chicks & the remaining eggs. Please keep us updated on their progress

Suz

Suz, thank you for the pointers. Keep them comming! We are very excited and will try to post a picture latter Phil

Congratulations Phil! What kind of quail are they?

We believe they are either gambel or california quail.

Suz, I am assuming that #3 has splayed legs. He sits on his rump with legs straight forward. We have bound his legs lik we read in another post. How long do we leave his legs bound? He is indeed doing better and is now able to move around. Thanks again, Phil

Hi Phil

I've never bound splayed legs, but i think you leave them tied for 3 days then check progress & repeat if necessary ... but I'm sure someone with more experience with this will keep you right. I'll keep my fingers crossed him

Has anymore hatched?

PS. I just noticed your a guest on the forum, if you register as a member you will be able to join the forums evening live chat sessions, plus shyer member will be able to PM you advice .... just a thought

Suz, thanks. We just registered. The fifth is still trying to break out. It has been about 24-30 hours. We are starting to become concerned for him. In hopes that he makes it out tonight. We are so glad we found this forum you have been a great help

Congratulations on the hatches I can't wait to see some pictures *hint hint*. Hope all goes well.

To all of our new friends, thanks for the help and advice. I have tried to post pictures but have been unsucsesful.... I will continue to try. Thanks again Phil

Hi Phil

Here a guide to posting photo's .. https://coturnixcorneruk.forumotion.com/notice-board-f28/posting-pic-s-t228.htm Its best to use an image host such as photobucket as the photo storage on the forum is limited. If you your having problems PM me and I'll see what i can do.

How are the chicks doing?

Suz

Suz the chicks were doing great. Last night however I put them in a different bos to change their Paper towels. One of them acted as if I had scared him to death panting etc and this morning is dead. What have I done? Phil

Hi Phil

Sorry for the late reply (had a bug) ...... hows the chicks doing now?

Suz