Baby Japanese quails or Coturnix quails are often hatched after 16 to 18 days of egg incubation at home. Unlike a wild adult quail, a captive adult Japanese quail always seems uninterested in hatching.
Therefore, hatching at home is either done artificially or via the help of friendly chicken species like Bantam. The chicken for hatching baby Japanese quail should be lightweight, free from illness or parasites, and lack feathery legs that may accommodate lice.
When gathering and reserving eggs for hatching, only choose those in excellent condition and avoid washing them with cold water. Turn the eggs 4-6 times for about 15 days of incubation to enhance hatchability.
Table of Contents
How to take care of baby Japanese quails
Since baby Coturnix quails are often very small, weak, and seem suicidal, properly take care of them in these different ways:
1. Avoid using the usual drinker meant for chicks as it may lead to the baby quail falling into water and drowning. Alternatively, discourage drowning by planting aquarium gravel in your drinker’s bottom for a couple of days.
2. Do not allow your baby birds to be exposed to cold. Leave the quail chicks in the incubator after hatching for not less than a day. You can also use an electric hen or a heat lamp to supply the necessary warmth for baby Coturnix quails.
3. Ensure the bedding is comfortable by using shavings. However, avoid hardwood shavings as they may affect a baby Japanese quail’s sensitive eyes and nose.
4. The feed should be as smooth and fine as possible. Use a blender for grinding the feed so that your baby birds do not end up choking while eating.
5. Avoid caging baby quails with adult quails, as they can be nipped to death.
6. Do not house your quail near or in a noisy environment, as it is susceptible to stress.
A baby Japanese quail only takes about six weeks to grow fully and start laying eggs. Coturnix quail requires plenty of clean water, feeds packed with proteins, and an adequately ventilated habitat for healthy living.
What do baby Japanese quails eat?
Baby Japanese quails like to eat grains and seeds primarily. That is the reason they are called granivores. But they can also consume most bird food, including worms, plant matter, and bugs.
1. Small worms
Earthworms and moth caterpillars are richly packed with vital nutrients needed for the growth and development of a young Coturnix quail.
Also, feed them by adding small, delicious insects like grasshoppers and beetles to their diet. Those are rich in nutrients that will help boost their development.
2. Eggs
Baby Japanese quails love to consume eggs. Boil the eggs and give them time to become dry. Then, break the egg into particles and avail them to be eaten.
3. Celery
Only provide the quail with the top part of the celery and use the remainder for preparing soup.
4. Grain feed
A young Japanese quail likes to eat the usual quail feed with a good dose of proteins and minerals. These nutrients are the primary building blocks of the bodies of young quails.
Grain feed for quails often contains different ingredients like fish meal, sorghum, and maize.
5. Fruits
More than 75% of quail food should be plant-based. Particularly during the warmer months, baby quails can survive on small pieces of cucumber, berries, grapes, and apples.
Young quails also love vegetable seeds, especially sunflower and black chia seeds. Baby Japanese quails can also be fed chick starters and or chicken feed.
Some foods are dangerous to the health of your baby or adult Japanese quails. Avoid feeding your birds foods such as oranges, chocolates, and caffeine.
Moreover, ensure you supply your baby Coturnix japonica with sufficient, clean water without debris or quail waste.
Dirty water not replaced regularly provides a perfect ground for bacteria infestation and growth, which may pose a severe health issue to your quail.
Although baby Japanese quails should have access to their feed, always avoid overfilling feeders. Feed not eaten within 1-3 days may be attacked by mold, leading to baby Japanese quails getting sick and dying.
Anytime you spot an attack by a parasite or mold, immediately eliminate it and wash the feeder.
Can you keep a baby quail as a pet?
You can keep a baby quail as a pet. Baby Japanese quails are perfect for beginners.
As a popular little bird, a baby quail is enchanting, full of fun, and stress-free to maintain. The quail needs a small coop or cage for its housing, does not make much noise like chickens, and avoids biting people.
And when a baby quail matures, it will supply you with eggs, a popular delicacy in different locations around the globe.
How big does a Japanese quail get?
A Japanese quail can reach a height, length, and size of 6.6-7.4 in, 4.5-7.8 in, and 2.4-4.9 oz, respectively. The Coturnix japonica is relatively tiny compared with other quail species, such as the Mountain quail.
How long do Japanese quail live in captivity?
A Japanese quail has a shorter lifespan and can live in captivity for about 2-3 years.
Generally, like other quail species, the shorter lifespan of the Japanese quail is attributed to its higher rate of metabolism, fasting glucose, and body temperature. The characteristics are relied upon to support its tiny body.
Assist your captive Japanese quail in living longer by:
- Subjecting it to an examination every year by your local avian vet.
- Providing sufficient food that is rich in all the vital nutrients.
- Supplying suitable living conditions. For instance, protect your quail from stressors and predators like weasels, squirrels, cats, and coyotes.
On average, a wild Japanese quail has the same shorter lifespan of 2-3 years. Still, some may exist for up to six years.
In conclusion, the Coturnix Quail has many uses, poses fewer issues, offers a lot of potential for profit, and is beautiful and charming. When a Japanese quail sings, you are guaranteed to be delighted. Thus, there are numerous reasons to keep baby and adult Japanese quails at home.
