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Italian quail (where to source them)

 
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matt_hooks



Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 12 9:10 pm    Post subject: Italian quail (where to source them) Reply with quote
    

Ok, I've been offered an Italian quail cock, but I don't think it's fair to keep one on his own, so was hoping to source a couple or three nice hens to keep him company (no ulterior motive of course, quail lay eggs you say?)

Does anyone know of a good, reputable breeder in the vicinity of Lambourn in Berkshire who might have a hen or three to sell?

Any tips on keeping quail?

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 12 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Give them at least a square foot of space each and branches to hide under. Keep them inside rather than outside - they don't do well in the British weather. They like to dustbath - hemcore makes good bedding. IMO, you need at LEAST four hens per cock, preferably more, the cock birds are very hard on their wives.

Don't bother with 'quail pellets', they do fine on layers. They like cuttlefish. And lettuce.

Beware of rats.

Dunno anywhere local to you where you could get birds - you quite often see them at markets though. Expect to pay about a fiver per hen. I've got hatching eggs if you can't find any.

matt_hooks



Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 12 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Chez, is there anything you don't know about birds?

Looks like I'll be sectioning off the back of the shed, next to the hens. What do you do about nest boxes? Are they prone to the dreaded red mite?

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 12 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Most of what I know about quail, I've cribbed off Tavascarow!

I don't bother with nest boxes, they just seem to pop them out without noticing, whilst they're doing something else. They do seem to like to hide in foliage, though, if you can cut them a bit.

I would keep them in cages rather than section of a bit of shed - they can get to almost terminal velocity in the six feet from the ground to the top of the shed and conk themselves out. A big indoor rabbit cage would be ideal.

I've got batteries for my camera - I'll try and remember to take some photos of my set-up tomorrow and post them.

ETA: Re red mite, I assume so, but I've been lucky so far and haven't had it at all in their shed.

matt_hooks



Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 12 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Well, I've got an old two storey rabbit hutch, standard size one, I'll measure it and find out how big it is tomorrow. That should fit fine in the shed, as long as it's big enough for five birds. I should imagine it's five square feet. We're picking the cock up tomorrow, just need to source some wives for him.

We have three Chinese Painted Quail that live in a giant rat cage in our living room, and they make the cutest noises but we've never had any eggs from them. Can't imagine the eggs being much good for eating from them anyway, they're tiny!

misty07



Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2223
Location: swindon wiltshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 12 8:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Il have a look at market for you next week if you like ? I gotta take a pekin cockeral I found this morning.

chez



Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35934
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 12 10:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

misty07 wrote:
a pekin cockeral I found this morning.


As one does

Nell Merionwen



Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 12 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Just being nosey but where near lambourn are you? I used to live at seven barrows and my children were born there

matt_hooks



Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 12 8:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Nell, not too far away, I've pm'd you.

Matt, if there are any around that'd be great. Only looking for hens though! Which market are you going to? I try to avoid them on account of not wanting to come home with hundreds of chickens!

earthmamma



Joined: 01 Jan 2012
Posts: 411
Location: West Wiltshire
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 12 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

When I had mine I used a chicken ark, not good as they used to jump up into the netting and give themselves sores! I gave mine a plant pot saucer, the sort you use for indoor plants, with a bit of grass or hay in for them to lay in, it worked for me.

misty07



Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2223
Location: swindon wiltshire
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 12 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Will only be cirencester market next Thursday am always there . Just take cash I only go when on own with a 10er misses has started to come along with me she is bad influence on me

matt_hooks



Joined: 01 Aug 2010
Posts: 312
Location: Lambourn(ish) Berkshire
PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 12 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Ah, might have to go there one day, just for the fun of it. If they have any I'm looking for four Italian Quail hens. Somewhere around £5 a bird is about max I guess, depends on how they're selling on the day though.

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