Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Temperature change and losing quail when raising.
I have received several emails lately from people that have lost up to 80% of their 8 week old quail. They did not tell me what specie of quail they were raising, just the fact that they lost so many quail.
First of all when raising quail, at 8 weeks old, if you are brooding correctly, these quail are just coming out of a controlled environment of a temperature of 70 degrees. The quail are still immature, unless they are Coturnix quail and becoming acclimated to a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees should be a gradual process.
You should provide some means of heat and protection from the elements. The heat can be reduced gradually as the quail mature and their natural instincts begin to kick in. But when raising quail they still need cover to covey in. They should be able to escape the brisk winds of winter. You need to provide them a place to escape.
When I was young and out walking the fields, rabbit hunting. Quail would be found in very thick and heavy grass cover. This is not just their way of hiding from predators. It is also their way of protecting themselves from the elements.
They are not like dogs or cats that their fur just gets thicker. The quail are feathered animals that need cover and each other for warmth. When raising quail in captivity, you obviously have to provide the protection, their instinct will tell them to find it. But you have to provide it.
Remember that other than Coturnix or Button Quail most species of quail do not reach maturity until 16 weeks of age or so.
About the Author:
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To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
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First of all when raising quail, at 8 weeks old, if you are brooding correctly, these quail are just coming out of a controlled environment of a temperature of 70 degrees. The quail are still immature, unless they are Coturnix quail and becoming acclimated to a temperature of 40 to 50 degrees should be a gradual process.
You should provide some means of heat and protection from the elements. The heat can be reduced gradually as the quail mature and their natural instincts begin to kick in. But when raising quail they still need cover to covey in. They should be able to escape the brisk winds of winter. You need to provide them a place to escape.
When I was young and out walking the fields, rabbit hunting. Quail would be found in very thick and heavy grass cover. This is not just their way of hiding from predators. It is also their way of protecting themselves from the elements.
They are not like dogs or cats that their fur just gets thicker. The quail are feathered animals that need cover and each other for warmth. When raising quail in captivity, you obviously have to provide the protection, their instinct will tell them to find it. But you have to provide it.
Remember that other than Coturnix or Button Quail most species of quail do not reach maturity until 16 weeks of age or so.
About the Author:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To find out more about Raising Quail visit:
How to Raise Quail.com
Copyright © Gary Ortlieb
-----------------------------------------------------------------
# posted by Gary Ortlieb @ 5:09 PM 
