Chick Care

 

Week 1 (Days 0–7)

Set up a warm, clean brooder with a red heat lamp or heat panel to keep the warm zone at about 95°F (35°C). Use absorbent bedding like clean pine shavings, and avoid slippery surfaces to prevent leg splay. Do  not use cedar shavings as they irritate the birds' lungs. Provide approximately 0.1 ft² per chick (about 10 chicks per square foot). Place feeders and shallow waterers close to the heat so chicks can easily find them. Use finely ground gamebird starter feed with 24–28% protein and keep it available at all times, along with fresh water in shallow dishes or chick nipples. Monitor behavior closely: chicks huddling and cheeping under the heater are too cold, while those crowding away and panting are too hot. Add fresh bedding daily and do a full brooder clean every 2–4 days to maintain hygiene.

Week 2 (Days 8–14)

Lower the brooder temperature to about 90°F (32°C). The chicks will have grown wing feathers and will be more active, so ensure the brooder is tall enough to prevent escapes. Continue offering constant access to feed and water, and increase the floor space slightly to about 0.1–0.2 ft² per bird. Watch for pasty vent (clogged droppings) and clean as needed. Fresh bedding should be added daily, with a full brooder cleaning every few days.

Week 3 (Days 15–21)

Reduce the temperature to about 85°F (29°C). By this stage, chicks are feathering out and will attempt to jump, so cover the brooder securely. Increase space to about 0.2 ft² per bird, and ensure multiple feeders and waterers are available so roughly one-third of the birds can eat at the same time. Continue with starter feed and monitor for leg issues. Chicks at this stage will weigh approximately 50–80 grams, with Jumbo quail tending to be heavier.

Week 4 (Days 22–28)

Lower the heat to around 80°F (26°C), or turn off the heat entirely if chicks are fully feathered and room temperature is warm. Transition chicks to larger cages or an indoor coop if needed. Maintain access to feed, either continuing starter or moving to a grower feed (20–22% protein) as appropriate. For birds intended for egg laying, start offering layer feed with 18% protein and added calcium or provide free-choice oyster shell. Introduce a day-night cycle with about 16–18 hours of light to help them adjust.

Week 5 (Days 29–35)

At this point, quail should be able to maintain their own body heat at room temperature (75°F or 24°C). Provide about 0.4–0.5 ft² per bird. Remove supplemental heat if housed indoors, and ensure good ventilation. Switch fully to grower/finisher feed (18% protein) or layer feed for breeding birds. Clean bedding and waterers daily, and provide sufficient feeder space for the growing flock. Standard quail may reach 150–180 grams, while jumbos can reach 250–320 grams by the end of week 5.

Week 6 (Days 36–42)

By this stage, quail are fully feathered and can live outdoors or in permanent pens. Target a temperature around 70°F (21°C). Provide at least 0.5 ft² per adult bird, using predator-proof housing with secure mesh sides. For breeding or laying birds, offer layer feed with high calcium content and continue with 14–16 hours of light per day. Lock birds in their new enclosure for 1–2 days to help them orient to feeders and water sources before allowing full access to the pen or run. By the end of week 6, expect standard quail to weigh about 170–200 grams, and jumbos around 280–380 grams.

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Key Guidelines for DIY Brooding Quail Chicks

Space Requirements: Start with 0.1 ft² per chick, expanding to 0.2–0.5 ft² per bird as they grow. Keep cages around 12 inches high, with secure lids.

Temperature Management: Begin at 95°F and lower by approximately 5°F each week until fully feathered.

Feeding: Use high-protein starter feed (24–28% protein) for the first 4–6 weeks. Transition to grower or layer feed with appropriate calcium levels.

Watering: Provide shallow waterers or nipple drinkers to prevent drowning. Ensure constant access to clean water.

Feeder Setup: Allow enough feeder space for about one-third of birds to eat at once. Use multiple feeders and waterers for large groups.

Cleanliness & Ventilation: Clean brooders daily, add fresh bedding, and maintain good airflow. Remove ammonia by keeping litter dry and well-ventilated.

Lighting: Use bright lighting for the first weeks to encourage feeding. Gradually transition to a natural day-night cycle with 14–16 hours of light per day for laying birds.

Predator Protection: Secure pens with strong mesh and cover runs with netting or hardware cloth. Provide windbreaks and cover in outdoor setups.

                Table of healthy weight benchmarks for Coturnix Quail

By 8–10 weeks, standard birds reach ~6–7 oz (170–200 g) and jumbo ~10–14 oz (280–400 g) consistent with these growth ranges. This chart is lower than what we expect from our birds but represents accurate expectations for average DIY bird management