Brooding Cheat Sheet

🐣 COTURNIX QUAIL BROODER CHEAT SHEET

From Our Home To Yours

🏠 HOUSING

Brooder Setup

• Use a tote, stock tank, brooder box, or large plastic tub.

• Provide at least ½ square foot per chick initially.

• Increase space as chicks grow.

• Walls should be tall enough to prevent jumping after 2 weeks.

Ventilation

• Fresh air is important.

• Avoid direct drafts.

• Keep brooder dry and clean.

Security

• Cover brooder with hardware cloth or mesh.

• Coturnix are excellent jumpers once feathered.

🌡️ HEAT

Brooder Temperature

Age	Temperature
Week 1	100°F
Week 2	95°F
Week 3	90°F (fully feathered by this point)

Watch Their Behavior

🐥 Too Cold

• Huddle tightly together

• Loud peeping

🐥 Too Hot

• Spread far from heat source

• Panting

🐥 Just Right

• Active and evenly dispersed

🌾 BEDDING

Best Choices

✅ Pine shavings

✅ Hemp bedding

✅ Rubber shelf liner (first few days)

Avoid

❌ Cedar shavings

❌ Slick newspaper

❌ Wet bedding

Cleaning

• Spot clean daily.

• Replace completely as needed.

• Keep bedding dry to prevent health issues.

🌱 FOOD

Starter Feed

• 28–30% protein gamebird starter.

• Feed free-choice at all times.

Feeding Tips

• Use shallow feeders.

• Keep feed clean and dry.

• Transition to layer feed around 6 weeks for laying hens.

Treats

After 2–3 weeks:

• Chopped greens

• Mealworms

• Small insects

Offer in moderation.

💧 WATER

Water Safety

• Use shallow waterers.

• Add marbles or pebbles during first week to prevent drowning.

Keep Water

✅ Clean

✅ Fresh

✅ Close to heat source

Magic Water (Optional)

1 Gallon Water

• 2 tsp fresh garlic

• 2 tsp fresh ginger

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tbsp raw honey

🛡️ PROTECTION

Predator Safety

Protect chicks from:

• Cats

• Dogs

• Rats

• Snakes

• Raccoons

Biosecurity

• Wash hands before handling chicks.

• Clean feeders and waterers regularly.

• Isolate sick birds immediately.

Health Check

Healthy chicks should be:

• Bright-eyed

• Active

• Eating and drinking

• Fully dry and fluffy

⏰ QUICK TIMELINE

Week 1

🔥 100°F Brooder

🌱 30% Protein Feed

💧 Shallow Water

Week 2–3

⬇ Lower heat 5°F weekly

🪶 Wing feathers develop

Week 4–5

🏠 Increase brooder space

🪶 Mostly feathered

Week 6

❄ Remove heat if fully feathered

🌱 Transition to layer feed (hens)

⚠ COMMON MISTAKES

❌ Too much space without heat access

❌ Slippery flooring

❌ Deep water dishes

❌ Overcrowding

❌ Wet bedding

❌ Poor ventilation

❌ Low-protein feed