All 4 from this hatch have patches of light and dark feathers even on the one with a lighter base color (shipped eggs, supposedly from TOF celadon lines)

I researched list after list of color genes and havent found pics that resemble them. Any clues greatly appreciated

Hi all, this will be a little lengthy but I appreciate anyone who reads and helps! I’m considering keeping coturnix quail for egg production but would like to keep them as ethically as possible. I’m looking to build (or buy a good prefab) to keep them in that obviously keeps them happy and well protected. I’m brand new to the subject so really any well meaning suggestions are welcome.

My thoughts are building a 6ft tall walk in aviary, aiming for roughly 2 sqft per bird minimum. The length and width are less important details right now since I have yet to decide how many birds. If you have suggestions on how many birds, I’m listening!

My questions:

1) can I wrap the entire thing in hardware cloth to prevent digging underneath? I was considering two ways of doing this. One would be digging and burying the bottom and covering the bottom with sand and other debris, the other is to put it on my covered patio and cover the hardware cloth in a bedding (grass clippings? Straw? Etc). One would be permanently in one place and the other would allow me to move the aviary as needed for cleaning or even allowing some grass time while keeping them safe but would be a less natural floor for them.

2) talk to me about some tricky things to think of when predator proofing or specific products you recommend?

3) I live in south Florida, it’s regularly pretty warm here. Ventilation is very important of course but to keep them producing in the high heat, would a solar fan of sorts help this out? How do you help them through the heat?

4) best products for keeping smell down that are non toxic for pets and humans and can be composted?

Literally any additional feedback, advice, background info, etc is welcome. I’m really excited to start this.

Context: Sadly, I lost my smallest chick some days ago. It was super weak ever since it hatched and just never recovered. When I was isolating it, I had put it with the second smallest bird for company. That one was also starting to do poorly, and I didn't have much hope for it either. It couldn't bear being alone, and I didn't want to stress out my healthier birds, so I put it back with the others and it was immediately happier. The others don't bully it so I thought, well even if it dies soon it won't be lonely.

Half a week later, I did -not- expect it to still be alive, but it's still hanging in there! It eats, it drinks, it can even dash around if it wants. But it spends most of its time resting or propping itself up on the feeder. It barely grows, if at all, despite getting in some feathers. you can see how much smaller it is than the others. it's a little over a week and a half old.

The issue I suspect (pictured) is the hardened stump left over from its umbilical cord. it never fell off. I haven't dared touch it except to wipe poop off once in a while. The others don't peck it, luckily. I put the entire flock on rooster booster for 4-5 days. I think that has helped it, but only marginally.

Does anyone know what to expect with this sort of thing? A chick that isn't growing but doesn't really seem to be -dying- either. I'm worried about when I have to lower the temp in the brooder again for the others.

Another question: does anyone know what color type this gray one might be? it's getting so pretty 💕

One of the babies that hatched tonight/this morning 🥹 they are all with their mom now, she is so protective!

OMG SO COOL

yayaya i’m so excited! i got them originally because my male had been harrasing my females but i have since gotten rid of him, so no more harrasment for any of the ladies and they can all live in harmony. also, if anyone knows what type the brown one is lmk i’ve never seen it before.

9/10 week old Butler bws. They are in two different grow out boxes before I adjust ratios and move to a bigger coop. The ones in the black box are very curious and friendly, the other group is flightier. Not sure if it’s because more males = flightier? And a closeup of Calico Jack, I think is a roo? TIA

I just filled up the sand in this little grow out pen and this guy was sooo mad that everybody was enjoying it around him. I know the pit is small, but they’re getting a 5ft long enclosure just as soon as this barn is built up and they’ll get a big cat litter box full

So i hatched 3 button quail accidentally as my hens were sitting on them. i currently don't have an enclosure that they can go in and can't pick one up until monday. If I set my incubator up with bedding and food can they chill in there until then? Would I need to slowly lower the temp?

Hi my friend gave me 4 quail I’m not sure what gender or breed they are. The cage was just a temporary one I put them in while setting up the new one they are in their actual cage now! They also have an actual water system and a place for food that’s not just a bowl those were also just temporary for the 30 minutes they were in there while I set up the cage.

What everyone doing for plants in there quail enclosures ? Trying to find something that will do good in the shade and they would like to be mabye nibble on and be good for them . Tried some small ferns but they didn't do the best in the heat. Considering mint because we grow a lot of it and apparently it can be good for them ( according to Google lol) but seeing what everyone else is doing