Week’s 2 & 3 Observations

Week 2 was fairly uneventful, the quail chicks which had been on the supplement since hatch continued to grow. All seemed consistent size. I continued to sort breeders into the groups and that should be finished by week 4, I am simply waiting for all to mature. I could not discern a good way to feed to the Bresse chicken breeders and not lose to the rodents, so I decided to add to the feed. I am measuring out feed daily and egg production is steadily increasing. We have had some odd weather, it was very hot and dry, the birds all seem confused this early in the year.

Week 3, I place the quail chicks onto wire, with heat, however one died. We are now at 19 and all still evenly sized. They have free choice supplement and consume it easily and consistently.

The quail breeders who have been receiving it, jump at it when I refill it, they are very excited when I put it back in. They are already laying, but they are oldest. I will begin testing their fertility in week 4 as the eggs are becoming consistent size now.

I have bresse chicks on it since hatch and mortality is low. One from each group only.

The Bresse breeders are still receiving it in their food daily and egg laying is upticking in size and consistency. They have been receiving it 3 weeks and I will set eggs next week to see if mortality of the chicks changes.

The weather turned chilly again and the button quail are sensitive to these changes, I decided yesterday to offer them some free choice by cage cup in hopes of boosting their vigor.

One last note: I have one Bresse breeder group and the cock bird is hard on the hen’s backs. Overmating and he will be replaced. I had put saddles on the girls in March but they have since removed them. What caught my attention is their feathering is improving. I am unsure if it is because he is slowing on mating or something else. I plan to continue to observe that pen for more changes.