Male to Female Ratio for a coop that holds 8

[MarionIN4Chickens]

Hey all! I’m new to raising quail and I’ve read that male to female ratio is very important for the quails health and safety. The coop plans we built house 8 quail each. And two coops stack so we can house a total of 16 but two different coveys. Would 7 females to 1 male be an appropriate or safe ratio for them? I’ve read that 5 females to one male is ideal but with the coop only holding 8 and mainly looking for egg production over breeding I worry that 6 females to 2 males would not be a good ratio

 

[Nabiki]

7 to 1 should be fine. If all you want are eggs, you don't need to keep any males at all.

 

[Huntmaster]

Hey all! I’m new to raising quail and I’ve read that male to female ratio is very important for the quails health and safety. The coop plans we built house 8 quail each. And two coops stack so we can house a total of 16 but two different coveys. Would 7 females to 1 male be an appropriate or safe ratio for them? I’ve read that 5 females to one male is ideal but with the coop only holding 8 and mainly looking for egg production over breeding I worry that 6 females to 2 males would not be a good ratio

The only thing you will be giving up is fertility %. So, if you are more wanting eggs for eating, I would have a pen of 8 hens for laying only with no male. And other pen with your 7 hens and 1 male for eating and hatching if needed. You don't have to keep males with hens only if you want fertile hatching eggs.

 

[MarionIN4Chickens]

7 to 1 should be fine. If all you want are eggs, you don't need to keep any males at all.

I do want eggs mostly but I also want to be able to hatch more quail from my own eggs as needed so I want to keep that as an option thank you!

 

[MarionIN4Chickens]

The only thing you will be giving up is fertility %. So, if you are more wanting eggs for eating, I would have a pen of 8 hens for laying only with no male. And other pen with your 7 hens and 1 male for eating and hatching if needed. You don't have to keep males with hens only if you want fertile hatching eggs.

Thanks! Yes I want to be able to hatch as needed so I want one pen with fertile eggs