- 1). Prepare the cage for housing the pair of Button Quails. Line it with a layer of wood shavings for warmth and cover the roof with foam underlay. When the birds jump up this will stop them from hurting their heads. Then, position a silk plant in the corner to pose as a hiding place for the birds to help them feel more secure.
- 2). Provide a house for the quails to nest in -- a wooden bird box with a large hole in the front would be suitable. Make sure the quails can fit through the front of the box. Also, line it with wood shavings.
- 3). Put the pair of quails inside the cage between February and November. During this time the female can produce up to one egg a day, provided she has at least 12 hours of light per day. Feed the pair a good source of calcium, such as cuttlebone, and provide a dish with bird pellets to ensure they have an ample diet.
- 4). Collect the eggs daily and clean them lightly with a mild disinfectant. Then, put them in an incubator with the pointed end of the egg facing downwards. The incubator needs to be kept at 37.5 degrees while the eggs incubate for 14 days. At this point, the Button Quail will start breaking out of the shell.
- 5). Line the fish tank with a tea cloth and position a 60 watt light bulb between 4 and 5 inches from the base. This is to provide warmth to the egg as it hatches. Also, cover the top of the fish tank -- either with a sheet of plywood or another cloth to prevent the chicks jumping out and to protect them from invasion.
- 6). Transfer the Button Quail eggs to the fish tank on day 14 of incubation. Allow the chicks to hatch in the comfort of the fish tank, and provide ground up crumbs for them to eat.
- 7). Swap the 60 watt bulb to a 40 watt bulb when you see feathers on the bird. This signifies that they no longer need as much heat in the fish tank. However, if you are breeding other chicks then do not add the new cracking eggs to the tank. In this instance, get another a tank so you can keep the temperature constant with a 60 watt bulb.
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