Caring For Quail
Week 1: Days 1-7
Housing (Brooder):
Container: A smaller brooder is suitable for quail due to their size. A plastic tub, cardboard box, or even a large aquarium can work. Ensure it's draft-free but well-ventilated.
Space: Provide at least 0.25 square feet of floor space per keet. While small now, they will grow.
Bedding: Use paper towels for the first few days as they can ingest small shavings. After a few days, you can switch to pine shavings (not cedar), or finely chopped straw. Avoid slick surfaces.
Heat: Crucial for survival. Use a heat plate. Position it to one side to create a temperature gradient.
Temperature: Aim for 95-100°F (35-38°C) directly under the heat plate for the first few days. Gradually reduce this. Use a thermometer at keet level. Observe their behavior to adjust the lamp height.
Light: Keets need light to find food and water. Use a small lamp or nightlight.
Food:
Feed: Offer a high-quality game bird starter feed with a protein content of 28-30%. This higher protein level is essential for quail growth. Alternatively, you can use a high-quality chick starter feed (non-medicated) that is finely ground to prevent choking.
Presentation: Sprinkle feed on paper towels or in very shallow dishes. Ensure it's easily accessible and always available (free-choice).
Grit: Provide finely ground chick grit in a separate, tiny container. They need very little at this age.
Water:
Container: Use very shallow water dishes or chick waterers with marbles or small pebbles inside to prevent the tiny keets from falling in and drowning. Even shallow water can be dangerous for them at this age.
Cleanliness: Change the water at least twice a day, or more often if soiled.
Placement: Keep water near food but not directly under the heat lamp.
Brooder Security: Quail are flighty even as chicks. Consider covering the brooder with wire mesh or netting to prevent them from jumping out, especially if startled.
Handling: Handle keets gently and minimally during the first week to reduce stress.
Observation: Monitor closely for signs of illness or leg problems.
Week 2: Days 8-14
Housing (Brooder):
Space: Increase floor space to at least 0.5 square feet per keet.
Bedding: Continue with appropriate bedding, changing it regularly.
Heat: Reduce the brooder temperature by approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit (around 3 degrees Celsius). Aim for 90-95°F (32-35°C) under the heat lamp. Observe keet behavior for adjustments.
Food:
Feed: Continue providing the high-protein game bird starter feed (28-30%) or finely ground chick starter.
Grit: Continue offering finely ground chick grit.
Water:
Container: You can gradually transition to slightly deeper water dishes, still ensuring they can easily get out. Keep marbles or pebbles in the waterer as a precaution.
Cleanliness: Change water frequently.
Brooder Security: Maintain a secure brooder cover.
Observation: Continue to monitor their health and development.
Week 3: Days 15-21
Housing (Brooder):
Space: Increase floor space to at least 1 square foot per keet.
Bedding: Maintain clean bedding.
Heat: Reduce the brooder temperature by another 5 degrees Fahrenheit (around 3 degrees Celsius). Aim for 85-90°F (29-32°C) under the heat lamp. You may be able to raise the heat lamp further or use a lower wattage bulb.
Food:
Feed: You can start transitioning to a game bird grower feed with a slightly lower protein content (around 24-26%). Mix a small amount of the new feed with the old feed, gradually increasing the proportion over several days. If you were using chick starter, you can continue with that if it's high quality and finely ground.
Grit: You can switch to a slightly coarser grower grit suitable for game birds or older chicks.
Water:
Container: You can use standard chick waterers or shallow bowls that are stable and not easily tipped over.
Cleanliness: Continue frequent water changes.
Brooder Security: Ensure the brooder remains securely covered.
Introduction to Outdoors (Weather Permitting): If daytime temperatures are consistently above 60-65°F (15-18°C) and there is no risk of cold nights, you can begin introducing them to a secure outdoor pen for short periods during the day. Provide shade and protection from predators. They need to be mostly feathered out before spending extended time outdoors without supplemental heat.
Observation: Monitor their adaptation to the new feed and environment.
Week 4: Days 22-28
Housing (Brooder/Transition to Outdoor Pen):
Space: Ensure at least 2 square feet per keet if still in the brooder. Outdoor pens should provide even more space.
Bedding: Maintain clean bedding in the brooder or provide appropriate substrate in the outdoor pen (sand, dirt, grass).
Heat: You can likely discontinue supplemental heat during the day if the weather is warm and they are fully feathered. Monitor nighttime temperatures; they may still need some heat if it gets cold.
Food:
Feed: Continue feeding the game bird grower feed (24-26% protein).
Grit: Ensure grower grit is always available.
Water:
Container: They should have access to regular poultry waterers or shallow dishes that are easy to clean.
Cleanliness: Maintain clean water.
Outdoor Time: Gradually increase their time spent outdoors, ensuring their pen is secure from predators (including overhead protection as they can fly).
Flight Risk: Be aware that quail can fly well by this age. Ensure any outdoor pens are fully enclosed and consider netting over the top.
Observation: Continue to monitor their health and ensure they are adjusting well to their environment.
Important Considerations Throughout:
Cleanliness: A clean environment is crucial for preventing diseases.
Predator Protection: Quail are very vulnerable to predators, both indoors and outdoors. Ensure their housing is secure.
Ventilation: Good ventilation in the brooder is important.
Keet Behavior: Observe your keets' behavior to ensure they are comfortable with the temperature and have access to food and water. Huddling indicates cold, while panting and spreading out indicates heat stress.
Feed Quality: Providing high-quality feed with the appropriate protein content is essential for healthy growth.
Water Safety: Preventing drowning is a major concern for young quail. Take precautions with water containers.
Stress: Minimize stress by handling them gently and providing a calm environment.
These guidelines will help you care for your quail keets during their first four weeks of life. Remember to adapt these instructions based on your specific environment and the needs of your birds.
