incubation of quail eggs by a Silkie

[pgbirdman]

My 3 Quail are doing great!!  They sure grow fast!!  They are 3 weeks now and only slightly smaller than their parents.  Fully feathered out except on the head.  Could I be imagining this... I thought I noticed a "pair" trying to mate.  Is this possable???  Their so young!!   Maybe its "teenage experimentation".

[stewaw]

Glad to hear they are doing well. If I'm not mistaken, coturnix can begin laying at 8 weeks old. That being the case, it could very well be preliminary courtship/pairing.  Could just as easy be simple dominance display.  I've noticed some 6 week old rio grande turkeys perform the same display.  


David

[pgbirdman]

Well I thought I'd update you all as to the status of our 3 little Quail (little, my butt there as big as the adults)  It was all for nothing as far as the Quail go, as within the last 2 weeks they have vanished.  I mean literally vanished!!  My pen is entirerly enclosed sides and top, and as we live in the city is even pad-locked.  The one morning I found one outside the pen with a wound on its breast.  I put it back and it was gone the next day.   ??   Maybe a preditor has come and somehow got them out??  But on the plus side.... I sure learned a lot of things I never knew b4.  I've been holding onto my fertile eggs and I'm waiting for one of these bantams to go broody again.... and I will try again!