They are all yummy when you raise them yourself. Nothing like store bought.
eggs chirping
So sad to hear of the little one that tried so hard, and didn't
make it, as well as the other, Granny. Wisdom is a good
thing, and nature knows better than we do, yes?
And very happy about all the rest, so healthy and active!
You must be on cloud nine right now, with all the new babies
and chirping.
When I cleaned my hovabator, I used a laundry soap and
bleach mixture, and scrubbed all parts I could. I then wiped it
down with paper towels, and let it sun dry. Then, I used a
spray disinfectant on all but the electrical, and let it dry in the
sun. Using hydrogen peroxide has a tendency to push
bacteria deeper when it foams and bubbles, like it does in
tissues. The stuff does kill germs, but the rapid expansion
of bubbles also can force some bacteria deeper.
I think if a bator has time to 'rest' between hatches, and you
let any remaining bacteria die (seems logical)? Hopefully
there won't be much there for it to live on.
My mountain quail eggs should be here by Tuesday at the
latest. I am most eggcited.
Thanks, truest. The hydrogen peroxide didn't foam when I used it to clean the incubator. I actually poured some in to bottom of the bator and then took a cloth and wiped the whole thing down with it. I even used it on the electrical element. The removable parts were scrubbed with a bleach/soap solution. (Clorox Clean-up) Might be able to put it out in the sun today if the wind isn't blowing too hard.
I agree about letting it rest a while before using it again. Since I am going to be buying some day-old Orpingtons, I may not need to use it again this year. I have to determine if we have enough time to raise the chicks for butchering to hatch another clutch. If not, then it will be used next year.
Good luck on the mountain quail eggs. I know the feeling. I am having a hard time waiting on Tractor Supply to get their chicks in on the 14th. I haven't decided how many Orpington chicks to get, either 10 or 12.
Then, too, I have keets coming on May 14th or 15th. They will go in a rabbit cage we have to keep them separated from the chicks as their needs are different. Gonna be fun around here with the menagerie. But that is what it's all about.
Thanks for the well wishes on my *gulp* expensive eggs.
I am only getting 6 of those at this time, and they will all be
marked from which bloodline they come from. I am very
happy with this breeder's care and attention to detail. Let's
hope it carries over to his packaging, I feel confident.
I have also ordered 50 coturnix quail chicks. They are so
inexpensive and easy to raise, that I want to get a quick
start on them so I can get them in the freezer sooner than
later. My first attempt at hatching those was not so good,
but my random choices in breeders was to blame. But, we
have to start somewhere, right? I have 3 out of 24 eggs, and
many of those, from one breeder, were broken on arrival.
Of the others, only a few were viable, and out of those, one
is a cross with a bob white mexican speckled that the breeder
thought were not mating yet, and had overwintered them
together. So, I'll start with a lot of what I know I will get, and
choose my breeders from them.
I want keets very much, I have done some research, but not
enough to know for sure, or be able to assure no guineas
on DH's car. I had a lovely peahen that I adopted, but gave
it away to a lady with 2 cocks when it spent most of it's time
on the car. I just couldn't cage it, as she found her way here
from a broken home and adopted us.
When last DH and I were at Tractor Supply (love them) all
of their chicks were sold out. I wasn't shopping for chicks, but
noticed how quickly they went out the door!
Can alcohol be used to clean things with?
MollyD
truest,
When you raise a huge number (like the 50 quail you mentioned) how do you handle them? Are they free range? If so what about predators? We've got dogs (ours and strays), coyotes, foxes, hawks, etc. How do you protect such a large number from them?
MollyD
Protection is the key. My plan is to have a cage battery
in the chicken's house. They need some protection from
the elements, and can be a jumpy, flighty bird. If they don't
have an out of the way place free from humans disturbing
them, they tend to try to fly and can injure themselves on
the cage roof. Some strains are more laid back in the same
breed, and can be held and tolerate our company.
For those I choose as breeders, they will get deluxe
accomodations, with 1 or 2 hens per cock in a nice sized
cage. I am building mine 24" w x 30"d x 16"h. They will
each have a dust bath in there, and some branches to hop
around on. They stack on top of each other, so the males
don't see each other, which would inhibit breeding and
reduce their weight and energy for that.
For those that will be meat birds, I have a brooder that is
30x48x16h to start. They will then be moved outside to
a community pen for grow off, which is raised off the ground
about 3-4ft. This will be in the entry area to the barns' tack
room, which is away from a lot of people and and animal
traffic, except for a couple times per day. It is noted that
you should whistle or talk to them as you approach so as
not to startle them. (btw, they are mature in 6 weeks)
They can be released into the wild, if they are not too used
to human intervention, which keeps them 'flighty', which is
their way of preserving themselves. They are extremely
quick on the ground, and nest on the ground. Our only real
threat to them is ferel cats. They do a very good job of
hiding from hawks and other 'overheads'. You could keep
them in a large aviary, but this also inhibits a lot of breeding
behaviour, and the eggs tend to get really dirty, as they like
to nest on the ground. Also, the more space they have,
the more they would be inclined to feel they could get away
and it's kind of like information overload, and they could hurt
themselves when it came time to catch them.
Wow! I guess they really aren't for the novice to tackle. So these won't be free range birds then. Less danger from predators out there.
Thanks!
MollyD
I wouldn't say that, Molly. I am a novice. I have just been
doing a lot of research, as I knew nothing of raising quail.
The coturnix are the easiest to raise, though. They only
take 17 days to incubate, and come in many different
colors. gold, white, one called manchurin, which I'm not
familiar with yet, and a partridge color they refer to as 'brown'.
There is a strain developed by Tx A&M that is white, and it
is one of the heaviest at maturity, like the jumbo brown.
They also have a very soothing and interesting aray of sounds
they make.
They just require that extra bit of attention to get them off to
a good start, and before you know it, they are ready to start
laying eggs at 7 or 8 weeks. If they are too crowded, they tend
toward picking, or if the room is too light- other than a brooder
red light, they will pick each other terribly. As they mature, I
have introduced budgie seed and fruit to their diet. They love
having an apple or orange to pick at. They also get the small
bird grit added. Anyone who cares for their chickens well
can raise them, in my opinion. (and they start out so tiny, and
when they pip- look out! they pop out of their shells really fast)
oh, geez, Granny, please excuse me for thread jumping.
I did rattle on, didn't I? so sorry.
Truest are they for eating or do you sell the eggs?
MollyD
Both are in the cards. 3 quail equal 1 avg. chicken egg,
and lots of people who are allergic to chicken eggs can
eat quail eggs. The mountain quail are for pretty only, and
to sell the eggs to others who want to increase their numbers.
Also, there is good demand for the coturnix as a food for
captive and injured raptors.
I didn't know anyone ate the quail eggs. Live and learn! I figured you'd be selling them for people to hatch them out only!
Interesting stuff.
MollyD
Hi MollyD! I travel to South America frequently and hard boiled quail eggs are a regular feature at the salad bars there, right between the cheese cubes and hearts of palm. I think the same thing is true in at least parts of Europe (never saw them in England). It could be an interesting new market here.
This message was edited Apr 3, 2008 1:28 PM
Do they dip them in anything Catscan?
MollyD
I don't know, MollyD. They are just on the salad/cheese plate between the cubes of cheese and hearts of palm. I put mayonnaise on them myself--but I think anything you like on hardboiled chicken eggs would be good on quail. They taste just like chicken eggs--only bite size:-)
:-) Thanks! I think I'll pass and stick to the cheese cubes. I like those better anyway LOL
MollyD
Its funny you say that, MollyD, because I was wondering if there is a certain reluctance in the States to eat what appear to be tiny songbird eggs. Sort of like we would NEVER eat dog or horse, but many people in many countries do and think nothing of it. I know I felt kind of weird doing it--I mean they are so tiny and cute.
Lots of places and people in the south eat them pickled.
They are sold by the quart and half gallon. I have also
heard of them as a delicacy as an actual deviled egg-
served the same, as a cocktail bite-sized thing. What
work!
Granny and I were talking about eating quail on a stick.
we were joking about the comedian Jeff Dunham, and
'the steeek' thing came up. I had a hard time deciding to
eat my peahen's eggs, and didn't, though I considered
it. They were so big! My son flatly refused, so we let her
keep them. No male here anyway, at the time.
I think bacon wrapped quail breasts on a stick sound good.
Quail can be dry, and marinated then wrapped in the bacon
and frozen, then onto the BBQ frozen, they come out great.
I don't think I could ever bring myself to eat dog meat. Horse maybe if I was hungry enough. Dog I don't think so considering they're carnivores.
MollyD
Granny, are you still with the heating pad, or have you
moved the babies into the garage? How are they doing?
uh, you know chickens eat meat, right? ;-)
Granny?
Guess they're omnivores, for sure, But, so are my dogs-
just about any veggie will do.
Granny--are you there? I wanted to know if your chicks have white bottoms on their feet. Its suppose to be a distinguishing trait of Australorps.
Yeah but any excuse I can find not to eat dogs works for me ;-)
MollyD
I have a question. What is the deal with the sugar water? I have never heard of doing that.
I've seen it mentioned on a few pages. Energy booster for the chicks.
MollyD
If you have a small number of chicks, I would only mix
enough to make a pint. They only need it if they appear
droopy after a rough ship, or? And give it to them for the
first day or so till they perk up. Ah- somebody correct me
if I'm wrong, but I think it's 2 tablespoons to a pint.?
Hi everyone. Went out for a few hours today and just got on.
Truest, I moved them out just as soon as they were dry and fluffy. And they are doing great.
TF, yes? You wanted me?
Catscan, I didn't look at the bottom of their feet. Will probably look tomorrow.
And, we got a WHITE (well, almost) egg from one of our BAs this morning. Strange.
Here is a picture of the babies in their getting crowded brooder in the garage.
Oh look at the darlings! Am I counting 23 in there, Granny?
I still am loving it when they hatch at home. I must have
followed more than a couple (?) babies that were hatched at
home, and it is still so fun. They are all so different!
Yes, there are 23 in there. I will probably be taking them out of that box and letting them run in the pen in a couple of days as it is getting kind of crowded in there. I have to make sure they are big enough so they can't get through the chick wire before we let them loose in the pen.
Does that work for all young birds. I am about to hatch my first group of buttons. Is that something I should do for them and how do I mix it for them? Thanks for the help everyone.
time flies when raising chicks so cherish there fluff while you can
Talley, You likely won't need to give them sugar water if
you are hatching them at home, and they are normal,
healthy birds. After they are dry and fluffy, take each chick
one at a time and dip it's beak in the water before placing it
in your brooder. Watch for the head up and throat movement
to ensure they have drunk.
When chicks are shipped right after hatching, they have
gone their max without food or water, and sometimes arrive
weak. The sugar water helps perk them up so they have
energy to find food and water on their own.
Well I never knew that would work. Thanks guys.
Just to let you guys know, I just went out to check on chickies, and found 2 of them dead. Have no idea why. They all were fine yesterday evening.
I also checked their feet to see if the bottoms were white, and they are yellow. Don't know if that means they are Aussies, but one of them has dominant wing feathers coming that are white. So, am guessing.
I wonder what makes them die off? Do you think it's natures way of culling the ones who'd have problems later in life?
MollyD
Yes, I do. I will continue to monitor them to see if any more die. Just hope we don't have that.
keeping my fingers crossed for you Granny.
MollyD