Situation so far, all relevant people convinced, bar those that aren't... ::) Last night had phone call to confirm incubator use, and the chap will also take them off my hands, if, God forbid the PT does have to be taken down, but if this does happen will be chaining myself to hoops anyway, so will be otherwise enagaged!! If I wait for decision, it could be years!! I'm also in contact with a man who has an aviary, and specializes in quail!! Next step for me is to meet up with him and get the whole lowdown, and annoy Jaggy and Truffle at regular intervals...with, I imagine various squeals of glee and sobs!!! ;D
Lottie
Wardy! Come here, you little beaut!! Am planting kiss firmly on cheek! Will put you down now.....LOL!! Excellent idea! There are loads of Delis in our tiny town!! That and antique shops of course... ::) ::) ::) May be enough to convince those sceptics, but then again, why bother!! Will send you egg when have quails, can't wait to see postman's face this time.... :o ;D ;)
Lottie
Wow!!
Sounds like you've really got moving, and an incubator - very professional. I was going to try a cardboard box with a heat lamp, but may try an borrow an incubator too.
And Lottie, the reason I don't have to do any convincing is that my GF pretty much leaves me up to my own devices when it comes to allotments, fruit in the garden, chooks and now quails...
I also like Wardy's idea of selling the eggs, could be a good money spinner.
Oh, and 'annoy' me all you want Lottie ;D I'd love to see regular updates!
LOL! Thanks, Truffle, you may regret saying that...!! I'm pretty much left to own devices, but find that most peeps see just the negative! ::)!
So far, haven't come across something that doesn't have a soltuion, as regards this quail thingy.....At the min, I'm trying to work out, how to increae ventilation in the summer, and keep quails in and pests out. Have also been told that foxes etc may rip covering to gain access, but covering pretty tough, and dug down to 2ft depth.
I'm trying not to be impatient, but want to start now!!! AS for incubator, could put ad in paper? Good luck!
Lottie ;D
Well for me, cos eggs are cheap, and cos I'd like them to imprint on me!! They can come play on puter then, and hang about in cool, quail-like way......and would love to see them hatch, and see teeny weeny fluff balls!! See! Very practical reasons...I'm sure Truffle has the real ones, will wait and then copy his answer..... ;D ;D ;D
Lottie
QuoteI'd like them to imprint on me!!
~feeling broody again L? ;D
good luck with your new venture :) Â
OMG, GW!!! NOOoooooooo!! LOL!! I've done my bit and then some!! Much as I love the kiddies, I break out in a cold sweat if anyone approaches me with a baby!! And thank you!! Jack's named his fantasy quail......he's calling it Burp... ::) ;D
Lottie
It was Friday night Wardy - we were all at the pub. ;D
Bet his on time tonight..... ;D ;)
Erm...hangs head in shame....nope! Still awaiting call from quail expert person. He's supposed to be showing me round his aviary...But get this!! He only married my old best friend from Primary school!! Haven't seen her in erm...long time...perhaps explains delay in phoning?? ::) ;)
i used to keep Chinese painted Quails , when i have a aviary , they are so sweet the even breed ,the babies are tiny like little bumble bees , go for it lottie the kids will love them
Excellent..Another brain to pick!! Am still waiting for darn phone call as to when can visit this chap's quail... ::) But I am learning patience....badly.. ;D ;)
Just ring him and tell him you are on your way ;D ;D ;D ;D
LOL!!! You crafty mare!!!! OK! But you know how shy I get, Dibs...... ;D ;)
i will ring him for you lottie and tell him lottie and dibs are on there way , :o :o :o and ask him if he would you like us to pick anything up for him on our way there ;D ;D ;D
OMG! PLease don't!! LOL! Try the " I too am a quail expert...and... I completely disagree with the flumineg method of quail plucking....what are your thoughts on this matter...?" Will see you, in street, engine running next Tuesday.... ;D ;D ;D ;)
First lesson....you don't pluck em !!! :o :o you skin them
Just out of curiosity lottie...the incubator...is it a self turner..??
Cos if not you will need to hand turn them (eggs) 3 times a day
for 17 days....... and then you have to keep your humidity constant up
till bout 2 days from hatching....when I say turn I don't just mean any old
way either
Kevin
Well Jags, I was just considering light plucking in case they got too hot in summer...... ;D
As to the incubator, I have choice of 2, lucky gal, having read that will opt for the smaller self-turning one. I've also managed to lay my hands on an old aquarium, still need light though. How big should the aquarium be for either 6 or 12 little bumble bees? Ty
Lottie ;D
Just bear in mind...the bigger the tank...the bigger the heat source has to
be....goldfish size would be ample....12ins X5-6 ins....remember they only
bumble bee size to start with.....!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Well, have that size tank!!So that good start... Heat source, does that have to come from very expensive heat source shop? Or will hanging light bulb do? Or will I end up with fried bumble bees in the morning?? Am so scared bout hurting my as yet to be bought quail! And, awwww, wouldn't they be sweet if did stay bumble bee size....Not much to pluck though.. ;D
lottie why don't you buy some adults much easier , my quails breed there self in the aviary , the chap i bought them of off said they would not hatch there own eggs but i ended up with lots of bumble bees , i had 2 breeding pairs , and they grow really quickly there are so sweet , all this talk of quails is making me fink about getting some again
Weel, Dibs, have not been known to take easy way..and eggs will be cheaper, and they will hopefully imprint on me or me on them ??? one or the other anyway!! And think the kids would love to see them hatching. If you do get some, would we be quail fanciers?? ;D ;)
Lottie
Quail fanciers i like the sound of that lottie , we could go off to bird shows together ;D ;D show our birds prune our birds and put pink ribbon in there hair sound exciting ;D ;D ;D
Oh Dibs!! Don't know how I'll contain myself... ;D ;D ;D By the way, how does one prune a quail??? ???
Kate..erm..Lottie!! Nope..erm UP!! Yehay!
pruning a Quail is a very skilled job Up i can teach but only if you bring me a apple a day very in important pieace of equipment :o :o :o :o
OK..sat here on three legged, short, quail pruning stool, apple in hand...erm quail trapped between legs....whenever ready, Dibs, they slippery little blighters!! :o :o :o ;)
Kate!
lottie you need some flour on your hands stop the Quail slipping , hope you have a set of Quail pruners ;D ;D ;D
Darn! Knew I'd forgotten something...ok......am ready...flour on hands and one knees and nose for some unknown reason....sat on stool, quail pruners in hand...awww it's so sweet!! Is it OK to tickle quail under chin before pruning??By the way checked in shop yesterday, 12 quail eggs £1.89!!! Wish I could get on with it!!
Lottie ;D
Hi
Dont forget if you intend to sell the eggs you do not want any male quail with the egg layers !
Ivor
Oooerrr Ivor!! Good point!! Erm..dare I ask, how do you sex a quail? ???