Hi,
I’m Bea… this is my first post so bear with me!
We’ve kept chickens for a while now, and earlier this year took the step of buying an Incubator and trying to hatch our own. Our hens, til recently are Warrens and so notoriously un-broody!
We have had success with chicken – hatching (more of that later!) none at all with ducks 
and today… I’ve set some quail eggs for the first time, to see if I can add to my little flock of 7 mixed coloured Japanese quail (Corturnix) The commoner colours are these below, they seem to photograph best! I also have a range – coloured, a tuxedo and some a little darker than these beauties.
My Quail
Quail have a shorter incubating period than chickens – 18 days, so I’ve put a big reminder in my “smallholding diary” to switch off the automatic turner after 15 days and check for signs of life. Some of the eggs are getting on abit, and my girls are devils for kicking them about the nesting box. So who knows how many will turn out… lets wait and see shall we!
Quail eggs are small and beautiful, and each of my girls lays a particular colour and pattern, unique to herself. They are also delicious, if pocket-sized! They make lovely egg sandwiches, if you’ve the patience to peel them, and look lovely hard boiled and whole on top of a salad. I’ve yet to try pickling them, I never seem to have the time 
#1 by Bea on August 23, 2010 - 11:23 am
well, quick update… we have 4 chicks so far!
3 stripy, like tabby cats and one little yellow one.
They’re not really due until tomorrow, but I’ve found that alot of our hatching eggs can’t count, so we’ll just have to wait and see if any more decide to hatch soon…
I’ve told the quail outside that they’re parents now (its ok, the neighbours are used to me talking to the animals!) and we are all very proud.
#2 by Bea on August 24, 2010 - 2:53 pm
12 chicks hatched successfully and some more hopefully on the way!
it’s amazing how a complete bird, with all its feathers, organs and egg-making equipment fits inside a tiny shell like a quail egg….