The Button Quail Six Pack

Five Weeks Old

2009-06-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

The quails love to climb on the bark and jump off. I now give them ground up oyster shells which they love. The guy in the blue bowl decided it would be more fun to take a dust bath in the ground up oysters shells rather then eat it. These pictures at five weeks I focused on my cinnamon blue face male. They always keep me laughing.

Four Weeks Old

2009-05-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Now the quails are four weeks old. Their adult feathers are nearly all grown in on their face. They are flapping their wings and having a great time. I could watch them for hours. I still can't tell the boys from the girls. Over the next three weeks I think that will be sorted out.

Twenty Five Days Old

2009-05-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

From 21 to 25 days I noticed one of the quail's backs getting plucked so I sold what I thought was the culprit since I have very limited space. But since the poor little guy sported a pink bare back the others did occasionally pluck at it. I thought how can I cover that up? Then it came to me to use a black Sharpie (non toxic) marker and just color it in. For the most part it's working great. Didn't they use to sell black hair spray to cover up men's bald spots? Well it's kind of the same thing.

The quails also got to enjoy some millet spray for the first time which they loved. Thank god they hardly bonk anymore. These guys are so much fun and always making me laugh.

Three Weeks Old

2009-05-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

The six pack at three weeks discover something other then chick feed in their bowl. They also I'm proud to say know how to use a water bottle.

Nineteen Days Old

2009-05-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

At day nineteen it looks like bonking has began. That's when for no reason the quail gets spooked and they fly straight up hitting their heads against the screen. It didn't surprise me when I notice Uno must of been the first one to bonk. I quickly padded the top with bubble wrap leaving lots of air holes. I hope that helps.

Eighteen Days Old

2009-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today I placed a piece of bark wood in the aquarium. The six pack loved it. They ran underneath feeling safe from the big bad world out there. Specially the big bad hand that scoops them up and places then in a photo light tent for a photography session. Uno loves to stand on top he's the brave one.

Seventeen Days Old

2009-05-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

Today the six pack is 17 days old. They are testing their wings by flapping them around and jumping off the log in their aquarium. More feathers are starting to cover their head so their mohawk is getting thicker. This little tuxedo quail can't figure out what he's sitting on. Mommy?

Two Weeks Old

2009-05-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today the six pack is looking a little punky. At two weeks old they are sprouting tiny mohawks.

Twelve Days Old

2009-05-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today I just had time for a family photo. Lucky for me they all posed nicely. I let them all stand or sit where they wanted to since they are all the same height. I guess they thought it was funny to trap one of their siblings in the back. Oh Kids!

Eleven Days Old

2009-05-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

The six pack are growing new feathers everyday but they still have that vulture thing going on. It will be nice when their heads feather out to fit their body.

Ten Days Old

2009-05-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

Today I took the partition down in the 20 gallon aquarium so now they have the full tank to run around. Not being the brightest of birds they just hung out on the side they felt comfortable with but soon learned their real estate just got larger and ran over to the bricks that I keep below the heat lamp for warm. After about 15 minutes they are running around the whole tank. You can watch these guys for hours.

Nine Days Old

2009-05-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

At nine days old the chicks are going through their ugly stage with half down and half feathers.

Their wings are fully feathered. Here is Uno which will be all white and one of my darker chicks. He might be a blue face I will have to confirm that with my button quail group.

One Week Old

2009-05-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Today they are one week old. little feathers are starting to grow on their wings. It will be fun to see their adult plumage as they mature. I have a few tuxedo's which look like penguins. The tuxedos are more rare in this country so I was thrilled to hatch a few of them. My first born I have called Uno is an all yellow chick and will probable turn out all white. I'm still learning the names of the colors since there seems to be so many different varieties. I held off naming the rest since I don't know thier sex yet.

Five Days Old

2009-05-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today I noticed small pin feathers starting to develop on their wings.

Three Days Old

2009-05-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

At three days old they looked like little fuzz balls. They stood only an inch high. All six would sleep in the little 2.5 x2.5 inch Tiffany box.

No Longer By Myself

2009-05-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Good news!! Three hatched in the middle of the night and two more the next day. Uno, my first born was no longer alone. Here is an areal view of the six pack.

I'm All Alone

2009-05-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Once in the brooder which was a 20 gallon long aquarium with a heat light. The little one looked so lonely. He was peeping so loud. I placed a small little hedgehog stuffed animal in there but I don't think it really helped.
Perhaps tomorrow would bring him a buddy or two. They say the eggs can hatch one or two days after the expected hatch day.

First Born

2009-05-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

I took the egg out placed it on a towel and opened the egg. The poor little chick had mashed half dry and half wet feathers from being in the egg so long. I placed him back in the incubator to dry completely. Then after placed him in my brooder.

Hatching Day

2009-05-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

On day 16 I discovered one egg was pecked all the way around but no chick after seven hours. I found out it was probable stuck in the egg due to not enough humidity. I was going to have to open it myself and help the little guy out.

The Eggs Arrived Safely

2009-05-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

The eggs came wrapped and packed so carefully. I placed them in the incubator for 16 days. These were going to be my breeder quails. I'm not sure how many will hatch.